THE QUEEN'S THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2944, 2 December 1916, Page 9

THE QUEEN'S THEATRE

CUBA STREET ENTERPRISE

SJT tho making of pictures there is no end. Similarly there is no end to tho public's insatiablo appetite for this evsi-varying form of entertainment, and, consequently, no end to , tho building of picture theatres. As noting the continuity , ! «f the growth of this business, it only , :has to be said that two. established theatres have added galleries or circles to their auditoriums, two completely new ■'theatres (including the Queen's)., havo iieen opened this year; two more are in .process of erection, and another handsome •-theatre is proposed to be erected on a [■central site in Manners Street. In the 'case of the Queen's Theatre, whose doors ■'are to be opened to tho publics on Mon. day" evening, it is interesting to note that this is the first, theatre or hall of 'any kind to bo erected in Cuba Street, •and in the domain of retail trade Wel- - Jington has no busier thoroughfare. As such, localities are' favoured as sites for continuous picture theatres, tho promo- ' tors are to be congratulated on their sagacity in selecting a site in the very • -heart of the City, in close proximity to probably the most densely-built upon residential section, whilst tapping • the •ceaseless flow of people that makes Cuba .'. Stre/jt probably as" animated a business thoroughfare as any within the confines ,of. the City. A Fine Property. ■; The Queen's Theatre property extends lilear through from Cuba Street (just above Godber's shop) to Marion Street. •For some distance back from Cuba Street ,the width of the section is only 30ft., but the back half (that abating on to Marion Street, on which thfi theatre proper abuts) widens out to GOft. This-is extremely fortunate, as, it has enabled the designer to provide six exits on to Mar.ion Street that should permit of the theatre boing emptied in the space of a few seconds. This is a most important feature, and it must be gratifying to the public to see that'the architect has fuiiy availed himself of his opportunities. Commodious Hall-way Entrance. . Of tho 30ft. frontage to Cuba Street, ,15ft. has been converted into an lip-to-'date pharmacy for Mr. Robert Johnston, with modern show windows that provide n. maximum amount of display space in a minimum, area. The other 15ft. has been reserved for a grand" hall-way entrance that will conduct the public to a cool Bwd elegant moving picture gallery, remote 1 from' tho roar and racket of the street traffic. The facade, which is simply ornate, boasts a postless verandah, that' ,will_ permit motor-cars or carriages to get in close to the kerb without-any danger on the score of collision with posts. Above tho verandah, and orected . vertically, will'be an electric flash sign.'that' .will be seen from one end of Cuba Street to the other. This will consist of tho word "Queen's," while spiralled round " and round between the letters will; bo a V travelling flash known as "the serpent of fire," which will terminate' in a globe.of revolving light—not a revolving'ball of light—an electrical novelty of American origin. The spaco.over the main entrance and shop is occupied by a tentabled billiard room (30ft. by 110 ft)., which on the point of light aud air. and general adaptability for the purpose intended has no superior in Wellington. •The room'has been leased to Mr. J. Palmer, and no lover of "the king of indoor games" should pass it by.

LAST WORD IN PICTURE HOUSES

"The Oaken Bar," •Half-way down tho entrance the liall opens out on one side, sufficiently to provide, space for the "Oaken Bar," a picturesque caravanserai, where the cool splash of the soda fountain makes music on warm summer afternoons and evenings, and those fizzy drinks and detectable viands so cunningly contrived to soothe the .palates of all ages and both 6exes, are'to be provided in their perfection at modern rates. The "Oaken Bar," as may be guessed, is an architectural feature, admirably calculated to sooth the artistic sense and add zest to anyone's sojourn therein. Instead of cold, pitiless marble, the fittings throughout are of 6electeu oak. The e-::da fountain, 20ft. in length, is said' to be the most up-to-date and costly in New Zealand; The whole of tho fountain- itself is, heavily silver-

plated, and the polished sheen, from end to end, is Something to dazzle tho eyes. Its silver top and the glittering array of taps are reflected in great mirrors 'at the rear of tho bar, and from there reflected on the mirrors on the opposite wall, until the whole scene, including the spectator, is duplicated over and over again in the mirrored maze. To soften tho effect the lights' aro toned with brown-gold silken shades, that suffuse an amber glow in happy harmony with the. oaken scheme of things. Mr. F. Langstone, late of Auckland, is in charge of the "Oaken Bar," and will turn out only the best of everything. Tho manufacturing part of tho business is below tho bar, where every modern requisite is supplied to achieve the desired end. Tho idea of having such a lounge bar on the premises was' a fortunate one, as the public will realise when they give it a trial. It should be made quite clear that the "Oaken Bar" is quite free to _the ..public .apart altogether from tho picture theatre. It is a cool 1 retreat, well- back in tho quiet from the street. The Theatre Proper. . .fust past theVOaken Bar"- to tho right is tho pretty lead-light ticket-box. liven ;hero the very latest idea has been given expression to. Instead of bungling about with piles of cardboard tickets or noisy metal. discs, the neatest' contrivance, with tho surest check, has been provided by tho National Cash Register, This is an ingenious bit of

mechanism that doals with roll tickets on the cash, coupon system. Exposed to View are a row of buttons marked 3d., ud., 9d., Is., and Is. Gd„ and another row marked irom one to live. To illustraterliw tho trick is done vou press tho M. button and tho'figure"five, and out slides fivo sixpenny tickets; if the Is. Gd. button and letter ono are pressed, ono circle ticket flutters into the hand of tho purchaser. And all tho time the machine keeps' a running total of how much has been takon since last clearance, and also supplies a fresh series of coloured tickets for each day in tho week. Having purchased tickets patrons either mount the concrete stairway to the right, and arc conducted by threo short flights to tho dres3 circle-', or go straight ahead into, tho stalls (on tho ground floor of the theatre). The theatre proper is. 99ft. in depth by GOft. in width. Tho floor rakes down perceptibly from tho entrance to tho stage, perhaps at a more decided gradient than any other Wellington theatre, and tho firs't gonoral impression is tho amount of air spaco provided. The floor of tho circle is Stepped so well that tho stuffy atmosphere that often pervades wider the gallery has been; rendered impossible, not only by tho amount of air space created, but by large ventilators erected at either corner. Tho circle is on the straight-across principle. The old idea of trailing tho seats round tho side of a theatre does not work out well in the case of pictures, which demand a straight-on view, and the dim-

ination as far as possible of scats built ' on the angle. Largest Dress Circle in Wellington. In the case of the Queen's Theatre tho public benefit by the principle adopted, as everyone has a full and uninterrupted view of tho screen from every seat in the houso. The dress circle, which is thrown far forward, is the largest in Wellington. It can actually seat 393 people: On the ends of all tows is a double seat. These are not exactly intended as cosy corners for lovers, but for big people, who at times havo a struggle to get into tho ordinary seat, and"at times a greater struggle to get out of them. The double seats are an established convenience in most of the latest picture theatres in America and Australia, and aro iust tho same price as any others. At cither end of two front rows of seats in tho circle aro two boxed-in lounges, containing four especially luxuriously upholstered chairs, which 'Will be at tho disposal of the management cither for distinguished guests, directors, or for tho public. The idea is a good one, and serves to break up the martiallcd array of seats. All the seats aro upholstered in leather, and havo high comfortably-disposed backs. They afford no placo of rest for germs born of dust and dirt. The absoluto easo with

winch this theatre can be kept clean Ts an outstanding feature. Tho ornamentation is severely simple, and present "no juttics, Inezes, nor coigns of vantage" for perambulating baccilli or plain, inoffensive dust. Electric plugs aro provided throughout tho Duilding in order that the theatre may be cleansed electrically. On a level with tho dress circle aro two bulbous boxes on each side, which provide a modest architectural feature to the interior. They project in a semi-cirelo from the wall, in which they make an arched opening. On tho ground floor the rows of seats provide a 6traight--011 view of the screen. Hero it is seen that the circle, which has a span of GOft., is supported-by four bulky pillars, two close in to tho walls, and two about a third ofc.tho distance across. Modern LightingA speciality in the Queen's Theatre is the lighting, which has been carried out on .the semi-direct or deflected principle. No open light is exposed to the eye. The 100-c.p. half-watt bulbs are suspended within fluted glass bowls, which throw the light up to tho white-plastered ceiling, giving a soft diffused light that is grateful and comforting to the eyeo. In each bowl is also a red bulb, which may be turned on during tho interval, making a sort of compromise between the complete black-out (for the pictwes) and the full white light. These lights may be manipulated singly, in pairs, or alto-

gether, and tho effects possible ate various and valuable, ( A Picturesque Stage. The front tow of seats in tho et&lls is 2Si't. away from tho screen, so that the front seats are as good as tho, back ones in this theatre. ' Between, these two points is an expanso of stage, but not the ordinary 6tage. The front of tho stage is terraced down to the floor of the auditorium, painted green, and filled with cboice pot plants, ferns, and greenery—a pleasant oasis to tho eye, when tho house lights are up. The stage itself bas a latticed floor, for it is there that tho orchestra, altogether invisible to tho audience, will play their part. On cither side, between the proscenium and the screen, dainty marine-scapes have been painted, harmonising with the vernal trimmings of. the stago front. This is a now idea that lias a visual valuo to picture patrons. The w'holo of the auditorium is finished iu white plaster.. Absolutely Fireproof! ' What perbaps is of more importance than anything else is that-tho Queen's Thoatro is absolutely as nearly fireproof as a building can bo made. In tho first

place tho front shop, and big billiard room, aro completely cut off from- the rest of the theatre property, and if a lire were- by chance to occur in either of them, people in the theatre would know nothing about it. All tho stairways, passages, and floors are of solid concrete, reinforced where necessary with steel, all the walls are plastered and finished in Keen's cement. Apart from tho main entrance thero is a concrete stairway exit on each side of the dress circle, and two on each sido of the stalls, leading into Marion Street—a quiet, wide, back street, admirably adapted to 'serve for exit purposes. Mr. Bennie has paid particular attention to the ventilation. The ventilators take tho form of lattioed openings iu

each of the four sections of the two octagonal designs oai lined in Carrara work on the ceiling, and beyond that again, is a section of the ceiling consisting of a long latticed opening extending two-thirds of the way across the ceiling. There are also wall ventilators, all round the auditorium, well calculated to provide a liberal supply of fresh air all the year round. Two "Simplex" Machines at Work. • There aro cases where tho word "continuous," in connection with pictures, is a misnomer. That is to say, the pauses in. between the reels are often much too long and irritating to an audience Bitting' in the dark. To obviate such waits, the

Queen's management lias decided to always keep two "Simplex" projecting machines in commission. These machines uro said to bo the very highest class, I their- works are as delicate and strong as those of a watch, and running by motor power, with the speed adjusted to a they give results that satisfy tho iinost pernickety operator. While one.is running the operator places tho succeeding reel in tho other machine, and sets it going as soon as tho first one has exhausted its film. A special feature about

the "Simplex" is that tho film cannot' take fire. As.soon as the. machine, ceases to revolve a sliutter drops, automatically cutting off the fierco rays of the intensified arc lights. Even if the shutter failed to act, only one picture (three-quar-ters of an inch square) could be burnt as the closely protected feed makes it impossible for tho {lames to 'spread into the reel-box. The operator at the Queen's Theatre is Mr. H. Gore, lately of Dnncdin, who has had experience in America, not only as an operator, but in tho big factory where tho "Simplex"' machines are made. Tho machines are supplied with current through cine-con-verters, 'not motor generators. Good Music to be Provided. Tho musical director at tho Queen's Theatre will bo Signor A. P. Truda, who is a well-known musician in Wellington, and probably tho most accomplished flautist in tho Dominion. Supported by an orchestra of eight performers, Signor Truda will submit programmes calculated to pleaso all tastes; that will range from rag-time ditties nnd chanties to Brand opera selections and excerpts from tho classics. Signor Truda has been con* nectcd with music in other picture theatres in Wellington, and in each case his work has had an elevating- influv enco on the programmes. Tho Manager. Mr. Eoderic MacCallum is a nejg manager to ■"Wellington, though well experienced in the control of picture theatres in Australia and elsewhere in New Zealand. Ho comes of the musical Moo Caltum Family, for whom ho acted as ' advance agent in this country, and so gained his first insight into the business. He was with the original West's Pio- | lures in Australia, and later, on Ilia owa account; ran al fresco pictures in Dutton Park, South Brisbane. In Queensland he was also connected with tho activities of Mr. B. J. Carroll. In Sydney he managed the New York Theatre in Georga Street East, and later tho big Imperial; Theatre' (at tho foot of Williams Streetyin Sydney, whoro the picture had to be projected a distance of 217 feet. Mr. t MacCallum subsequently had tho direction of Gillioaux, tho , distinguished French- aviator, whoso activities in Aus- ' tralia culminated in a bad fall, after* which theatrical aeronautics had- to be abandoned for grimmer work at the front. Mr. MacCallum was last at Everybody's Theatre in Dunedin. The Promoters. The promoters of the Queen's Theatre Company are Mr. James Bennle, P.M.Z.A., and Mr. T. P. Hatpin, both, of Wellington. The former is the wellknown architect and theatre expert, who' not only designed the theatre, and its various annoxes, but has carried out the work on a per-centago. basis, faithfully and well, within eleven months' time. He has designed about twelve theatres in New Zealand and Australia, and,has others in view. Mr. Bennio designed the new Crown Theatre, in Sydney Street, is now engaged on another in Courtenay Place, and has designed tho Beget j Theatre, proposed to be erected in a - prominent position in Manners Street. Mr. Bennie is to be congratulated' on . tho taste and discretion he has exercised in the designing and building of the Queen's Theatre. Thero is no evidence of ' extravaganco of idea anywhere, yet no essential has been overlooked. Mr. T. P. Halpin is the well-known, Cuba Street draper, to whoso quiet tact and 60und judgment tho company' is' much beholden. As tho result of a visit ho paid to Australia not long ago, several improvements have been effected . in the appointments of the Queen's Theatre. There are some 113 picture houses in Sydney, and Mr. Halpin mado a. point of seeing all that were worth seeing, and the best in every case wastaken a note of. ' . Through the efforts of these gentlemen a company with a capital of £12,000 was formed. The land was secured for £10,000 (all on mortgago at G per cent.), ■ and the building cost about £11,000, making the company's total liabilitv £21,000. The ; Opening. Tho now Queen's Theatre will bo opened on Monday with a first-class programme of tho latest pictures. The feature will be the star film entitled "Tho ■ Temptation,", in which Miss Geraldine Farrar plays tho leading role. Miss '■■ Farrar is well known to musical people as America's foremost grand opera prima 1 donna, and ono of the best living ex- ■ ponents of tho role of "Carmen." She ' is therefore particularly happijy placed i in tho role of tho young opera singer, 1 who has to face so many temptations before she wins 'out to fanio and fortune Tho big film will be well supported by a nicely-varied programme.