THEATRE IMPROVEMENTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 21, 3 November 1944, Page 5

THEATRE IMPROVEMENTS

NEW AIR CONDITIONING PLANT

CATERING FOR PATRONS

Ever in the forefront of modern devices for the coin for t and benefit of its patrons the management of the Regent Theatre, Whakatane, ha.s recently installed at substantial cost, a Newberry-Walker super-heat-ing furnace and air-conditioning plant.

Patrons attending recent programand noting the ne.w gratings inserted, at intervals down the main aisles could not be. expected to guess the size and efficiency of the ne.w plant which lias been installed for their benefit. The new plant situated: behind the bulk of the. stage, is capable, of reconditioning the air in the theatre to a specified temperature within a quarter of an hour. This means that on cold .winter nights, warm moist air can be pumped through the various vents and the cold staler air drawn off entirely. By special control gauges, a warm temperature can be maintained at an exact level for an entire, programme. In the same manner upon hot, stuffy summer nights the whole of the atmosphere can be cooled and maintained at a given temjje.rature by the same device. A visit to the plant surprised a Beacon representative by its size, and obvious ingenuity. A 6ft furnace, fed by a 'Vale' automatic stoker ensures a steady supply to the fire which never goes out. The draft is created by a large fan which automatically sucks in a percentage of vapourised air to ensure the correct humidity. A thermostatic control governs the temperature, which needs no further attention once the plant is in operation. Another feature signalising the progressive nature of the theatre management is the installation of the screened neon lights which will entirely replace the original method by electric globe. This is another of the latest in equipment for interior lighting prescribed by experts. The familiar tubes of light now line the full length of the. theatre on two sides and throw a reflected glow, with pleasing upon the interior. The theatre becomes almost as light as day, and there is a complete absence of harshness or irritating glare so usually associated with powerful globes. We extend our Avarinest congratulations to the management upon securing these modern improvements for the benefit of. theatre patrons of this district.