Melbourne's Historic Astor Theatre To Close

Melbourne's repertory Astor Theatre will close its doors in May 2015.

On the same day that it was revealed the future of fellow St Kilda-based Palais Theatre was under threat, the Astor posted a closure notice via their twitter account. 

It is beyond difficult to deliver news that we will close our doors in 2015. We hope you will help us celebrate what the Astor is until then

— Astor Theatre (@astor_theatre) August 23, 2014

A report in The Age has revealed that the closure is occurring due to an ongoing dispute between the cinema's proprietor and the building's owner.

Astor proprietor George Florence told the news website that he will have to leave the building at the end of the lease, May 14 next year.

While Florence would not rule out that the building may continue as a cinema without him but if it did it would be 'Disney-fied'.

Current Owner Ralph Taranto has owned other theatres in Melbourne.

The theatre is famous for its art-deco design and hosted live gigs in the past.