THE NEW THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1104, 18 April 1911, Page 6

THE NEW THEATRE.

'A SUCCESSFUL OPENING,

Messrs. C. MacMahon and M. J. Donnelly, the managers of the Now Theatre, in Manners Street (the old Federal Theatre rejuvenated), have no cause to complain at the reception of their venture on the part of the public. The New Theatre'is to be the home of "continuous pictures," which is to say that those hungry for moving pictures will from today forward be able to witness an up-to-date programme of pictures at any timo between 11 a.m. and 11.15 p.m., .a system which has become general in Englaind, America, and in the chief centres of Australia. There are those residing in the suburbs and others who for various reasons cannot get into town of an evening, who Trill now be afforded the opportunity of popping into the New Theatre for a recreative hour or so. The New Theatre is a cosy littlo hall, which seats about 500 people comfortably, and has been especially adapted for the picture business by the management at a cost of over four figures. The alterations include a'new raked floor, additions .to. the gallery (whiclr hns been strengthened), the erection of a new solid partition screen, the building of a concrete cellar for. tho reception df an electric generator, and tho complete renovation and re-decoration of the theatre. As practically tho back wall of. tho theatre which debouches upon Herbert Street) consists of doors—two small arid one large double door in tho centre—the exits are ample, and the theatre can easily be cleared', in 60 seconds. Tlie alterations have- been carried out by Messrs. R. H.- Edwards and Son, and the electrical outfit was installed by Messrs. Cederholm and Tolley. Tho formal opening of .the New Theatre took place last evening .at 8 o'clock, long before which hour every, seat held an occupant. It was declared open by Mr. Robert Flotcher (chairman of the' Harbour Board and a member of the City Council), who said in the course of his speech that it was.well known to all that with the, Greeks and Romans, of olden times tho . theatre was held in" high esteem, second, indeed, only ■- to their temples, as'they, knew them to..be centres of light and learning. So much : were the.v regarded, as essential'to the wclfaro of the people that, the poorer classes were admitted free, and later all true citizens were adiriitted at tlie.expense of the public treasury.. Some, still, held that theirs was a higher civilisation than that of tho present day. He would not venture an opinion on that point, but it,appeared that his. friends, .Messrs. MacMahon aiid Donnelly, were going to admit thepublic, at a minimum cost. .As to the quality of the eutertainment, they, could judge, for themselves. knew was that tho pictures provided a bright form of entertainment which was fascinating, instructive, and educative to young, and old. He: had- known , .both Messrs., MacMahon and Donnelly for a number of," years, and knew they were people who knew how to cater best for the public's entertainirient. Mr.. MacMahon had been one' of the pioneers in New Zealand ■in this line of business. He had much pleasure in declaring the New Theatre open; hoping 'its success would exceed their most sanguine expectations. (Applause.) ' Mr. J. MacMahon said it would be the aim of tho management to produce tho very latest • pictures, and-, the best, the world could produce.. .. Ho thanked tho public for its patronage-and-indulgence, ■and Mr. Fletcher for consenting to open the theatre, and the gracious manner in which lie did it. (Applause.) The-programme was good from first to last. There was the odorous breeze of tho Rockies in 'the .little drama."The Days of tho Earlv West." in which.a trajn of "prairie schooners", stacked high with household goods are seen lumbering across the vast and open plains to. the.vacant lands of the.setting sun. The home-seek-ers pitch their camp, tho parson asks a blessing as. they break the first land, and a rough log-hut arises. Then comes the prowling red man; tho alarm-is given by the women, and tho men trbop in from the outer paths. Indians! An .exciting conflict follows, • and after the settlors' ammunition is exhausted a group of huskycowboys . effect a rescue—just in, time. "The Flight of Redwing" is another, good "Wild West" ■ picturi, with a strong savour of the red man and his. cruel ways. "The Joke they played on Bumptious" is an excellent comic film embo'dyirig an original idea calculated to tickie the risibilities of all club-riicn. Other giod pictures are "A Tangled Masquerade," "Old Norris's Gal," "Love Drops," "Tlie Littlo Basket-maker," "The Adopted Mother," and "His Confession" (a fine' dramatic study splendidly acted). Ari "orchestra under Mr. E. J. King supplied the incidental music. '