"The Theatre Royal, Bank Street on the riverside was destroyed by fire on 17th March 1931. As a result, the Empire cinema was fitted out for live shows in 1934 as a replacement. Projection equipment at the Empire was Western Electric sound with simplex projectors and Peerless Magnarcs. The arc lamps were taken out and installed in the La Scala. The La Scala's Brenkarcs were in turn then installed in the Playhouse Nairn. The projectors were still running into the 60's as adverts were still shown there on the safety curtain. The Empire had quite plain decor, bluish grey paint on walls and ceiling, not nearly as ornate as the La Scala which was to open a year later. In the mid 1960's the Empire could be dark for weeks with maybe the odd wrestling match on a Tuesday or Thursday - I remember having to go there to check the secondary lighting batteries when i worked at the La Scala."