EMPRESS THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1575, 19 October 1912, Page 5

EMPRESS THEATRE.

OPENED BY THE MAYOR. Though no one sat up all night in outer to get seats there was a big enough crowd at the new Kmpress Theatre before the doors opened last evening to please the heart of any management, and by ,i p, " ,- ,m lle pu,> ' ic lla<l blocked tho footpath. rlie theatre—refulgent in pearlwhite paint and mirror-glass-filled up at tho first shock.

During the past few days a staff has been engaged in changing the decorative scheme of tho Willis Street entrance. 1 lie ticket office also has been brought right forward, almost to the street t "'i i *'i ls a ( ' a intily-designed rotunda ot plate-glass, enclosed in a frame of gleaming white. The grey walls of tho foyer have been brightened with white, and great panels of gilt-framed mirror reflect tho patron a dozen times between the ticket office and the auditorium. Tho theatre itself is brilliantly lighted, and here eame the big surprise. Not ouly is tho theatre weil lighted before "any image is imprinted on the screen, but, during the run of the pictures, tho hall is illuminated by a subdued light, which creeps out from behind hidden cornico lights—a new American idea. It does not affect the clarity of the picture. Mr. J. D. Wiliiams states that, in most of tho cities in America thero are ordinances compelling picture theatre proprietors to light their theatres, whilst tho machine is running, sufficiently for a person to bo lccognisad at a distance of ten feet.

After a flashlight photograph had boon taken Mr. J. D. Williams appeared on tho stage. Ho stated that, as managing director of tho New Zealand Amusement Company, ho was ipleased to find that the enterprise had been so heartily responded to. He had now opened 'somo eighteen theatres, and he had never seen so large a number of people present at an opening. Moreover, ho had never seen a theatre so well provided with exits. It© thanked Mr. W. Prouse (of Hoggard nnd Prousc) for the manner in which his firm had designed tho theatre. The Mayor (Mr. D. M'Laron) said that ho only came to see fair play. Ho was only a slim man, but ho had had all ho could do to get through the crush outside. (Laughter.) Ho wished to congratulate Mr, Williams on tho opening of tho theatre. Ho had the assurance of the management that tho pictures to be shown would bo of a good class and of educative value, and further, that they could bo seeu at a figure which not even a Scotchman would hesitate to pay. . The management could rest assured that, in showing good pictures at 6d. and 3d. it was making an appeal to tho mass of tho people. Ho then went on to say that lie was glad to havo tho assuranco of tho management that they scrutinised all pictures "on the other side," and any that were considered injurious to young people were to bo rigidly excluded. Tho programme was an eminently satisfactory one. It opened with somo charming views of Trieste-its streets, public buildings, statuary, gardens, and flue terraces overlooking tho sea. "Tho Lost Will," a drama in ten minutes, quickly gripped tho house. It told tho story of a wealthy old baronet, who is forced to disherit his senpegraco son, and bestow his estato on his pretty niece. The will is duly attested, signed, and secreted in a cabinet, but during the night tho son steals into the hall and is in tho act of escaping with tho will when ho is caught in the act by his father, who has just strength enough to wrench the document away, when tho old man has an attack of heart trouble, and, dying, places tho will between the leases of a book. Owing 1 to tho lawyers being unable to find tho will tho son succeeds to the property, and the niece 1 & hpmo with the old housekeeper. On looking through some books tho usurper finds tho will, and just as he is about to destroy it, one of tho old retainers snatches it from him and tears off to tho abode of tho niece, but before reaching tho place lie is overtaken by the now desperate young man, who closes with him and secures the will. Tho old servant tells tho meco of li,is misfortune, and sho turns the attention of her mastiffs to tlw (lying man. They catch him up ami worry him, and to everybody's extreme satisfaction tho will is regained and th<? ™"' mn r ? young lady comes into her own. Tho Hand of Fate" is another fascinating photo-play alive with interest, find a comic picture, "Moro Ilnstc. less Speed" kept tho houso amused for ten minutes. These were a few of tho several excellent pictures, presented. A pleasing feature' about tho new theatre is tho neatly-uniformed staff— malo and female. Mr. Russell has been installed as manager, and a capable orchestra, under tho direction of Mr. Hollow, contributes to tho pleasure of patrons. The Empress Theatre will bo open from 11 a.m. to 11 p,m. to-day.