Fuller Theatres

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 236, 24 December 1927, Page 20

Fuller Theatres

Chain Through N.Z. and Australia “ARCHIE” IN THE NEW YEAR Arrangements have been completed by the Fullers, whereby they will shortly have theatres of their own for clear, uninterrupted tours of Australia and New Zealand. So far the only theatrical management in this position is WilliamsonTait, Ltd. “On the 24th of this month,” explained Sir Benjamin Puller in Sydney recently, “we shall open a new theatre in Christchurch. Later, this will be followed in that city by a theatre that is to be a replica of St. James. Equal-of St. James “In Auckland we shall have in May a theatre that is the equal of St. James. “We have reseated, recarpeted, and redecorated His Majesty’s in Wellington; and in Dunedin we own the principal theatre —His Majesty’s. “This will enable us to finish with a company in Sydney on Wednesday;

leave the following day; open in Wellington on Monday; play both islands; and get back to Sydney with the loss of only seven working days.

New Australian Theatres “Matters are being finalised for sites in Adelaide and Brisbane for theatres after the style of St. James, and we are arranging for a lease of a handsome new theatre in Perth. “We shall be able to play the New Zealand tour from the beginning of 192ST. By the end of the year everything will be ready for the Australian tour. “One of the effects will be a great saving in time and transportation charges. Further, a feature of the theatres will be the huge seating capacity. The result is that we shall be able to present attractions throughout Australia and New Zealand at Sydney prices. “ ‘Archie’ will be sent to New Zealand early next year, to be followed in due course by the Gonsalez Grand Opera Co. Overseas Managers “Besides housing our own shows, the theatres we control will be available to other managers—in Australia and abroad. “My brother, John, in his visit to England and America, had some tempting offers from companies for tours of Australasia. But he could not close with them because he was unable to guarantee circuits here and in New Zealand without any lost time. Consequently the step we have now taken must mean a considerable enlargement of the theatrical fare to be enjoyed in Australasia.”