THE PICTURE CRAZE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2017, 26 March 1914, Page 5

THE PICTURE CRAZE.

OLD OPERA HOUSE SECURED.

ON A LONG LEASE. .. i———'

The aclvanco of- tho moving picture business in New Zealand has, all tho elements of ft romance in theatrical undertakings. Only a few years ago tho first permanent picture show was established in Wellington on tho site now occupied by tho now His Majesty's Theatre. Many, predicted then that it was 'ridiculous to suptpsp that. anyone could contiuuo to exhibit pictures nightly on a payablo basis, ana that in any caso the public must tiro of" them in a month or tw'o. But the public did not tire of them, and when the management of the old His Majesty's completed their lease tho ground landlords (Messrs. John Fu.' ; .er and Sons) continued to exhibit pictures, whilst tho originators of tile permanent show (Messrs. Liriley and Donovan), with the co-opel'atkfli of West's, Ltd., built tho King's Thoat'ro. Then followed the first continuous picture show at tho New Theatre in Manners Street, and later the ' Empress, Star, Shortt's, the People's Picturo Palace,' and the Britannia. Only a few days ago tho site of Mr. Fielder's furniture warehouse ivas secured by a company, who, intend to erect' a now theatre thero for continuous pictures, and yesterday the news was given out from an authentic sourco that ahothor company had secured a long lease of tho Opera House in Manners Street from the Wellington Opera House Company for TlTe purpose of convertingl that theatre into a continuous picture'lioiiSe.So the old theatre passes awav from tho glorie* of pure theatrics to the'animated reflection of the same as purveyed by the Itinematoairaph. : ' The hew company has a very long lease of the theatre. That was necessary to warrant them paying'for tho costly alterations that are to be made.. The Whole of the facade is to be altered and brilliantly illuminated with a fine electric lighting Scheme, and inside the theatre is to be remodelled entirely, which work will necessitate the lowering of the ground floor,' and the readjustment of tho galleries, so that,ever?-, oiie in the house will bev afforded a full view of the screen. Tho seating is to receiye special attention, and every patroii will bo given a comfortable tipup seat, no matter in what part'of the theatre he may bo seated. The" interior lighting arrangements will bo such that patrons will bo able to find ■their way, to. unoccupied seats without the assistance of the torch-bearer.' The whole of the. interior is to he elaborately decorated on aesthetic lines by Mr. Geo. Coulter. When' all this work is completed, Wellington will have the most, commodious, and comfortable continuous picture theatre in Australasia. Tho work of remodelling the theatre , is to begin and will be finished in time for the rejuvenated theatre to open,on May 14.