THE ADELPHI.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1446, 22 May 1912, Page 9

THE ADELPHI.

NEW PICTURE THEATRE OPENED. •'.'WORTHY 01' THE CITY." Motion pictures may bo seen in all imaginable comfort at the Adelphi Theatre, in Willis Street, which was opened to tne public last evening. The availably seats were quickly filled, and commendations of the building and its equipment wero to re heard oil every hand. Tho Adelphi is roomy, handsomely decorated, and splendidly ventilated. Ihe approaches have been so constructed that the theatre is quickly filled or emptied with a minimum ot inconvenience to patrons. Tho circle seats are comfortably upholstered. Girls, prettily dressed in Quaker costume, showed thoso who attended to their scats. As a whole, the Adelphi on its opening night touched high-water mark in the presentation of moving pictures in Wellington. Shortly attor eight o'clock the manager of the Adelphi (Mr. l\ Stirling) appeared befvro tho screen and stated that the oirecitors had asked him to extend a hearty welcome to all present. Tho directors also wished him to return thanks for tho magnificent attendance. It had been their aim to build « picture theatre worthy of Wellington. Whether they had succeeded, those who wero present should judge. An attempt would he made to invariably present at the Adelphi all that was best in pictures, music, and courtesy. Mr. Stirling then called upon Mr. A. L. Herdman, M.P., to formally declare the theatre open. (Applause.) Mr. Herd man said that the management had decreed that he should be the first moving picture at the Adelphi that night. (Laughter.) He congratulated the directors upon the splendid building that they had erected. "It is very gratifying | in these days," continued Mr. Herdman, "when the country is run by narrow- | minded Labour agitators—(laughter and j some dissent)—and by gentleman who. will persist in killing the goose that lays the golden eggs—to find that we have a number of gentlemen, in our city who liavo enterprise and courage to build such a theatre as this. I take the event as an indication that the capital city of the Dominion is going ahead, and will go ahead in the future. Some people in Wellington declare that the city is dull— A lady in front: A'o, it is not! Mr. Herdman: "I quite agree with the sentiments of the lady who interjected." Continuing, lie said that he hoped and felt confident that the pictures which would bo placed upon tho screen behind him would be able to pass the censorship that tVSis to be created by the municipality. He was sure that these who patronised this theatre iin fuhiro would find both entertainment and instruction in the pictures screened. Ho hoped that tho gentlcmon who owned' the theatre would have many years of prosperity and that tho people who visited it would have many evenings of happiness. Concluding, he formally declared the theatre open.

During the evening tho prize-winneTS in the recent theatre naming competition wero presented with the cheques won. THE FIRST PROGRAMME. The pictures comprised in the first programme screened at tho Adelphi were worthy of tho handsome theatre and its excellent equipment; "The Pathe Gazette," an interesting review of topical events, was followed by "Tho Last Adventure of Prince Curacoa." This picture deals with the fortunes of a somewhat harum-scarum heir-apparent, who is suddenly withdrawn from a life of frivolity to assume the government of a kingdom. "A Tragedy of tho Sea" is a powerful picture drama in which the passions of love and hate give rise to a series of remarkable events. The principal item in the second part, of the piogiamme was a beautiful pictorial presentation of an old Italian romance, the story of Bianca CaDelh. Bianca was tho wile cf a Duke of Tuscany. Early in her career she came into conflict with her husband's brother, and although she. triumphed for a time, her passion for'rcveiige at length brought her career to a tragic termination. Somo amusing comic films wero also included. All the pictures were clearly presented, and the claim of the management that tho screen is visibla from all parts of tho house was shown to bo justified.

AT SUP Pl®. After tho entertainment had concluded, Mr. Herdman and a largo number cf other guests were entertained by the Adelphi directors at a supper in the Continental Cafe. Mr. G. W. Hume (chairman of directors) presided, and a number of toasts were honoured, among tliem "Our Guests" and "The Architects and Contractors."