Cirrus@Austlit

Tivoli Circuit Australia Pty Ltd formed in May 1934 through the merging of Con-Paul Theatres (Mike Connors and Queenie Paul) and Frank Neil. Connors and Paul had been operating the Tivoli theatres in Melbourne and Sydney since 1931, but temporarily retired from production in early 1934 following the death of their six-year-old daughter.

Initially called Tivoli Theatres Ltd, the new company engaged Wesley Ince as its first managing director. The other directors were Frank Neil and George Dickinson. When the firm was renamed Tivoli Circuit Australia in 1935, Frank Neil took over as managing director. (He was also, at the time, general manager of Musgrove Theatres of Melbourne). He later brought Wallace Parnell to Australia to supervise the circuit, with Parnell taking over complete control of the organisation following Neil's death in January 1940.