OPENING OF NEW THEATRE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21412, 2 March 1935, Page 9

OPENING OF NEW THEATRE

* FIRST NIGHT AT THE MAYFAIR PREMIERE OF BRIGHT MI'SICAL TALKIE SHOW The unusual public interest taken in the opening of the city's newest talkie theatre, the Mayfair, seems to augur well for the success of this latest cinema venture in Christchurch. The opening function last evening was a brilliant one of its kind, and not only the large audience showed that it realised the signilicance of the event, but the hundreds of onlookers who watched the arrival of patrons from the streets.

The advent of this new theatre is a milestone in cinema history in Christchurch, for in design it represents the ultra-modern, small intimate type of theatre which elsewhere has come into favour. The audience which filled the theatre to capacity obviously enjoyed the originality of design and type ot the Mayfair. Certainly it seemed that the one-floor theatre—the Mayfair is the first one in the city—has advantages which will be quickly appreciated.

Before the screening of the "Gay Divorcee," the bright musical talkie shown, which has been chosen to entertain the first patrons to the Mayfair, public men of "the city and members of Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd., made appropriate speeches about the occasion. It was noticeable in all the speeches that mention of the enter-' prise of the firm which controls Ihe Mayfair led to immediate applause. Mr R. A. Keenan, New Zealand screen manager for Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd., extended a welcome to patrons on behalf of his firm. The Mayfair represented his company's advent in Christchurch, he said, and it was hoped that the theatre would be able to attract in future audiences of the size of that at the first night. Mr Keenan read a letter of apology from the Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.), who is in Wellington, and who in his letter paid a tribute to the enterprise of Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd. Confidence in Dominion Congratulations from the commercial interests of the city to the theatre firm were conveyed by Mr F. W. Hobbs, the president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. He spoke of the strength of Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd., and of its enterprise during the last few years. It was an enterprise which deserved every possible support which the people of New Zealand could give. The company was purely a New Zealand one, Mr Hobbs said; it had raised more than £250,000 of New Zealand money, and all its employees were New Zealandcrs. By going ahead during the last few years of depression and erecting theatres, it had shown its confidence in the future of the Dominion and at the same time provided employment for many men who perhaps would otherwise have been out of work. Mr Hobbs commended the architect of the theatre and designers on their very fine work, which struck a new note in Christchurch in modernity of design, comfort, and in the restfulness of the concealed lighting. Mr Hobbs extended to the manager of the Mayfair, Mr H. G. Lane, a welcome back to Christchurch. He declared the theatre open and wished the company success in its new venture.

Mr M. Sayegh, business manager to the company, spoke warmly of the line work of the architect of Mayfair, Mr F. H. Willis, and of the contractor, Mr J. L. Pugh. It was mainly due to their energy that the theatre was open a month before the scheduled date, he said. "Our entry is made in Christchlurch on a basis of friendliness," Mr Sayegh added. "There is no spirit of antagonism with the opposition, and we are quite satis,fied that there is room in Christchurch for all of us." Cr. J. Mathison, representing the Christchurch City Council, in Mr Sullivan's absence, also spoke of the enterprise of Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd., and Mr Lane, the manager of the Mayfair, thanked the audience for their kind welcome to his theatre. Fine Dancing- Numbers Sitting in the novel surroundings provided by this very up-to-date cinema interior a well-pleased audience saw one of the brightest musical talkie shows which have been presented in Christchurch for many years. "The Gay Divorcee" is the very latest in the type of amusing spectacular musical comedy which, so popular in the early days of the talkies, has never lost its appeal. The combination of subtle cheery story and very attractive vaudeville has been worked into the film perfectly. The audience laughs for minutes at the witty dialogue of Edward Everett Horton, Fred Astaire, and Ginger Rogers, and then for the next few minutes sits almost agape with delight at the splendid dancing, beautiful singing, and charming staging. Edward Everett Horton is a great comedian in his own line, and he has never been nearer perfection in his art than in this talkie. It is to him mainly that the attractive story owes most of its substance. But to Ginger Rogers, charming little lady, and to Fred Astaire. most wonderful of eccentric and tap dancers, goes the palm for entertainment of another kind. Many of the later scenes in the picture have a new "plot-idea"—the new idea is that intriguing combination of jazz and serious dancing which is known as "The Continental." The talkie glorifies this latest craze, which, experts say, is not only a dance but a story. But both the story of the talkie and

this new dance story are attractive in the extreme. Combined with the attraction of being shown in the city in such modern and charming surroundings as the Mayfair "The Gay Divorcee" should entice every picture-goer in Christchurch.