THE NEW THEATRE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 87, 13 April 1911, Page 2

THE NEW THEATRE.

MACMAHON AND DONNELLY'S ENTERPRISE. The latest novelty in moving picture shows is the "continuous," and Wellington is to have one, in keeping with all the large centres. In England, America, and Australia the continuous picture theatres are quite a feature, in some places a craze, and there popularity is gained from, the fact that there is no set programme. Patrons can enter these theatres at any time of the. day, stay as long as they like, and leave as soon as they like. Half an hour in a "continuous" has become as popular, and almost as great a necessity to some people, as afternoon tea. The Federal Hall, in Manners-street, of which the proprietors have secured a long lease, has been renamed "The New Theatre," and the lessees have not stinted money in quite transforming the building. The transformation will be complete on Easter Saturday evening, and patrons will find it hard to recognise the old hall. It has been practically rebuilt. A new raked flooring has been put down, the roofing renewed, the walls plastered, and fined with Wunderlich stamped steel ; every endeavour being made to mako the theatre as fireproof as possible. The seats will be all of the tipup pattern, and a new dress circle, with two private boxes, has been erected. Special attention has been paid to the exits, and practically the whole of the Herbert-street frontage is composed of exit doors. Thft main entrance, from Manners-street, is 7ft wide, and is all steel lined. This entrance will be illuminated with 160 coloured electric globes. The auditorium will also be well lighted with large clusters of coloured globes. The decorative colour scheme is red and blue, with gold facings, and the picture screen will b& enclosed in a stamped steel frame, which will be painted in gold. The operator's box is lined inside and out with asbestos, and the dynamo and engine will be accommodated in a large concrete pit sunk beneath the flooring. The exterior of the building will alsp be illuminated with arc lights and an electric sign. The whole work has been carried out by Messrs. W. H. Edwards and Son, the sub-contractors being Fullford and Smith (plastering), T. A. Wells (painting and decorating), Cederhohn and Tolley (electric installation and machinery),' Briscoo and Co. (Wunderlich- steel linings).