BIG FULLER PLANS FOR NEW ZEALAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 1, 23 March 1927, Page 16

BIG FULLER PLANS FOR NEW ZEALAND

CHAIN OF NEW THEATRES “I have not yet decided where our new theatre will be built in Auckland, but we will build one, and it will be a theatre worthy of the city,” remarked Sir Benjamin Fuller during the course of a chat to-day. He is completing a tour of New Zealand, combining business with pleasure, has arrived in Auckland to finalise arrangements regarding a new Fuller theatre. “No, there is no truth in the rumour that we contemplate purchasing one of t_i< present established picture theatres here. We will build, but whether it will be on the old site in Wellesley Street I cannot say until the negotiations have been completed,” Sir Benjamin continued. Talking of theatrical business generally he is most optimistic. As far as the Fuller Proprietary is concerned things have never been better in all three branches cf the business—pictures, vaudeville or the legitimate stage.

In his usual energetic way, Sir Benjamin is planning big things for New Zealand. “In each of the four big centres of the Dominion we hope to build what we call a ‘St. James’s Theatre,’ ” he said, “and when we have attained that object we will send our own theatrical companies over on tour, exactly as we have them in AusSir Benjamin is pleased with the success of St. James’s Theatre in Sydney. It is one of the most up-to-date which has been built there, and opened auspiciously with “No, No, Nanette.” Mr. Walter Fuller, the London representative of the firm, is busy booki - artists for New Zealand and Australia, and Mr. John Fuller is leaving Sydney next month for America on a search for new talent and new shows with which to entertain theatregoers in the Antipodes. “Personally I welcome THE SUN in Auckland. There is room here for a good, live paper. I wish THE SUN every success in its career, and 1 shall be happy at all times to support it,” was Sir Benjamin’s parting message. A picture of Sir Benjamin Fuller wilt be found on page 8 of this issue of THE SUN.