The Astor Theatre — Attraction in Melbourne

Visited The Astor several times over the years, living in this St Kilda for pretty much all of my life (except a few months). Though for some personal reasons, i have chosen to avoid the watching of much film anymore, i had watched films at The Astor earlier, including the first time i saw a film called "The Trial" (1962 film). After some time later, my life really seemed to resonate with that film, and later i even had the dream: of kindly asking to be detonated, and then of being detonated.

In the nightmare, i would ask the very violent, employed murderers in Australian Army to fly a plane with a nuke over me, alone, at Ayer's Rock, and then "kaboom", enough forced drugging of people such as me. Because i had been unfairly tortured, and the torturers hid behind one another - no accountability. Their substances made me to be incapable of musicianship or of thinking clearly, while using them.

And with evidence i managed to prove myself more contributing and charitable, and generally better than those psychiatrists. i didn't even rape anyone. But the Police raped my life because of a False Accusation (regarding exposing oneself). It would be similar to when Bat Man flew the bomb away from people to explode himself over the water, except in my situation it wouldn't be suicide (why would they promote suicide via a film though? suicide's illegal - for it is a breach of the Commandment: "Thou Shalt Not Kill" [thyself] - what are these films teaching?).

Being forbidden from living my life after a False Accusation in 2012 AD, and being forcefully drugged because of that (many of those "doctors" turned out to be quacks), was similar to the corrupt system of lawless people who had abandoned Two Commandments, portrayed in "The Trial" (1962 film). They seemed to try to defend their wallets, to a greater extent than to actually be of help to the people who they were entrusted and paid to help), forbidden from employment by CATT during their visit to my home after the mistreatment at the ward - all of this hurt, really took a toll. Basically, the society here, had a hidden system of torturers that only some witnessed. And i wasn't even a dissonant type of guy, i genuinely wanted to earn at least SOME "wealth for toil" so that i could confidently approach a Virgin and hopeful to be friends and to marry Her, and be ready beforehand to be able to afford to start a Happy and Healthy Family, if She wished for also. Mainly it would have been nice to share meals such as tea with a kind and loving Wife. But i found none - those various people who i became in love with, they abandoned Friendship with me... they had only feigned Friendship (which is understandable, because i did not have much money, after being forbidden from earning by the man who works for CATT, it became better, sadly, that i not waste the time of those Females who may find a Happy Family and Marriage elsewhere), and most often i waited for a long while for them. And it is difficult and painful to wait for them after being abandoned, if only to live up to the meaning of my third name, 'Fidelis'. This is not my idea of a Happy Life. Writing music is only so much fun, alone (Johann Sebastian Bach was my favourite Composer, because He managed to write really good music, and to be Married, and even to bring glory to His Creator, simultaneously - a Real Super Hero).

Speaking of music, mainly i write today, to thank the staff for allowing me to play my compositions on the really good piano, a few nights ago. i had had a sad day (most days have been quite sad recently), and the person working there, who i spoke with was very kind to me, and considerate enough to allow me to play on the piano between the films.

Also i am sorry that i played a little too long, because i misheard that it was not the last film of the day, but that there was yet another, and i got a little carried away in the portrayal of the tones.

Thank you for being kind to me, and i enjoyed the coffee.

Blessing to management here,

[photo regarding of The Trial ~ my op.11, no.2 'In memory...

I visited the Astor Theatre in April 2025 and had an absolutely brilliant night. I went with my partner and her cousin to see ‘Alien’, a classic being shown as part of a double feature with ‘Alien 2’ playing afterwards. We didn’t stick around for the second film, but it was incredible to experience the original on the big screen, and in such a beautiful, classic cinema setting.

We arrived around 6 pm and met in the small foyer dining area. There were several booths and tables available, and we grabbed one before ordering some beers. There’s no beer on tap, just bottled options, along with the usual movie snacks like popcorn, lollies, chocolates, and chips. Before heading into the cinema, I popped back to grab a glass bottle of Coke, some popcorn, and a choc top that tasted almost homemade.

I really loved the downstairs set up, with its carefully preserved, old school charm that transports you back to the golden age of cinema. The Astor originally opened in 1936 and it’s clear they’ve kept its charm. The bar and snack counter, complete with red velvet ropes and vintage theming, perfectly matched the atmosphere. The staff were lovely too, greeting everyone with friendly faces and warm smiles. We even ran into someone upstairs dressed as an alien from the film, which I’m guessing was a staff member helping set the mood!

Walking through the venue, I was struck by the chandeliers and grand design. As we headed upstairs and into the cinema, I was genuinely amazed by how large it was and how well the space has been preserved. The seats aren’t the plush, modern types you’ll find at newer cinemas, but that’s part of the charm and there are plenty of comfy couches in the foyers if you want to relax before the movie.

The attention to detail was incredible, they even played themed commercials and old school trailers before the movie, featuring classics like E.T. and Blade Runner. After the film, the curtain closed over the screen, adding another beautiful old world touch. The amenities are also very traditional; the upstairs powder room could use a little love, but it all fits the venue’s authentic feel. There are toilets on both levels, and with only one cinema, it’s very easy to find your way around. Parking is limited, but the theatre is a short walk from Windsor Station and close to Prahran if you’re looking for a meal before or after your session.

I absolutely love this cinema and everything it represents. It’s wonderful to see places like the Astor still celebrating classic films, from The Sound of Music to Psycho. It’s a real gem for Melbourne’s film lovers, and I’m grateful it’s still standing. I know the Astor has faced challenges staying open over the years, and I truly hope more people continue to support it. Sure, there are things that could be updated or modernised but honestly, its vintage charm is part of what makes it so special. I can’t wait to head back for more classic film nights, and I’d encourage every film buff to do the same and help keep this beautiful...

We had been looking forward to the Astor Theater performance of the Swan Lake Ballet, but were dismayed at the production. When we arrived at the door of the theater around 6pm, the "security" at the door asked us for our vaccination certificate. Two other people besides me showed it but I couldn't show my documents on my phone because my phone was out of battery. I told the attendant that I could charge my phone in the cafe section and show it, but the attendant said "No" and said in a very rude and sarcastic way that I could not enter. My friend, who showed his certificate, took my phone, went inside to charge it, and got a clear no answer there. Meanwhile, the guard at the door continued to make fun of us. "Go home, charge the phone and come back, maybe you'll get into the next session," he was making fun of himself. While I was going to the gas station I saw across the street to buy a charger, my other friend called the management and tried to change the tickets to the next session, but a clear no response came from them. Moreover, on the tickets, there is no indication that you cannot enter if you do not show the certificate on the online sales pages. I bought a charging cable, charged 3 percent in my cafe unit with a thousand begging, opened the phone and showed my certificates. The security guard at the door applauded roughly saying congratulations, you can come in, and he made fun of us again. We went in with all this stress and demoralization, we were shown a place, while we were sitting, the person sitting next to us was told that this place belongs to us. The ballet show started, the decoration, the show, the orchestra, it was like a kindergarten graduation show. The dancers, the orchestra were extremely inexperienced. There were already four ballerinas, they danced in pairs, this show would have been meaningful if it had been in a venue rather than in a venue like Astor, but such a clumsy show in such a magnificent venue was, unfortunately, an insult to both the name of the ballet show and the venue. Finally, as we were leaving after the show, the security guard at the gate made fun of me, smirking again so that we could meet again, bye-bye girls. Last night, we had an experience that could make me and the other two people with me hate ballet. It was embarrassingly unprofessional, the dancers were okay, but this production dishonored them. honestly, one of his works by Tchaikovsky deserves...