THE EMPRESS THEATRE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 518, 16 November 1912, Page 5

THE EMPRESS THEATRE.

OPENING PERFORMANCE. The new Empress Theatre at Te Kuiti will open its doors to the public for the first time this evening under the management of the King Country Picture Company, and thereafter performances will be given each evening of the week. In order to cater for the children, a special matinee will be held every Saturday afternoon. The educational value of the picture show is well known, and the Te Kuiti children are to be given the opportunity of witnessing a varied and instructive programme under the most favourable condition?. The new theatre which has been built by Mr G. Hitchcock to the design of Mr James, architect, is admirably finished, and is replete with all the most modern appliances both for the comfort of patrons, and the production of the very best effects in the realm of the picture show. A feature of the new undertaking is the orchestra, which is to be under the able direc tion of Mr G. Branson, a fact which vouches for the excellence of the music. The building is lighted throughout by electricity, the plant having been installed by Messrs A. and T. Burt. Beautiful so f t effects are obtained from coloured globes, which show the tasteful decorations of the theatre to excellent advantage. A 1500-candle-power lamp illuminates the front of the theatre, while a light of equal power is fixed on the roof of the building. The formal opening of the theatre rig to be performed by Mr C. "K. Wilson, M.P., and his Worship the Mayor (Mr E. H. Hardy), and the initial performance will take the form of a benefit to the Town Band. It may be noted that the management has consented to give a performance in aid of the Pio Pio Medical Association on December 9th.