St. James

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 399, 6 July 1928, Page 6

St. James

TRIUMPH FOR FULLERS Auckland’s New Theatre

IMAGIN’ E ii . Smoking in tlic lovers, and a two shilling’ reserved seat in the grand gallery, equal in comfort to any in' the house. Sir Benjamin and Mr. John Fuller, in opening their new St. dames, the premier theatre in the Dominion, have* certain iy set a new standard for New Zealand.

These factors alone should be sufficient to attract, the most obdurate of fire-siders to the theatre on the coldest of winter evenings. Six shillings for the best seat in the St. James—why, there is no reason why the average young Aucklander cannot invite the girl friend to a first-class theatrical performance, of precisely the same standard as that seen at St. James in Sydney, for the price of what formerly was obtained in this city for one reserved stall. So pleased is Mr. John Fuller with his firm's new theatre that he proposes to pay Auckland a signal compliment. The St. James contemplated for Brisbane is to be built on. exactly the same lines. The Queensland capital's new home of entertainment will be a replica of the Auckland theatre. The Spanish Renaissance, the period emphasised by the Auckland St. James is. in the opinion of Mr. Fuller, peculiaryly suitable for tropical Queensland. SPANISH DECORATION No period lends Itself more picturesquely to interior theatre decoration than that selected by the architect, Mr. White, for the edification of the Auckland amusement-loving public. Vet the whole decorative scheme, which is on a scale hitherto unknown in New Zealand, is subservient to the general lighting of the theatre. The St. James must be seen at night to be i-illy appreciated. The lighting, soft and effective, is mysteriously hidden. It gradually embraces the whole theatre, almost imperceptibly, revealing the architectural details that might otherwise escape the patron's eye. Amber and gold, a roseate hue intervoven gradually ascend until every cornice and decoration i 3 emphasised, and the

theatre is bathed in a golden glow, beneath an azure sky. Nothing previously has been attempted in lighting in Auckland on this scale. WILL SEAT 2,000 The Spanish lamps, correct as to design and showing a strong Moorish influence, are placed at points of vantage throughout the building, which has a seating capacity for 2,000 people. As becomes a New Zealand organisation, the Fuller firm has utilised New Zealand materials wherever possible. The majority of the fittings of the St. James have actually been manufactured in Auckland. from the main entrance, which extends from Queen Street to Lome Street, with special parking provisions at the latter entrance for motor traffic, patrons ascend a marble staircase to the main foyer. It is here that smoking will be permitted. Adequate precautions have been taken against fire. Although the foyer is heavily carpeted, the floor is of concrete, aud for the first time in New Zealand theatrical history, smoking will be permitted "ithin the actual precincts of the theatre. Sand boxes are conveniently placed about both foyers for the receipt of used cigarettes. The foyer at the Brand circle is furnished on exactly the same lines as that opposite the dress circle. There is no distinction whatsoever. The Fuller brothers have found that patrons of the cheaper seats at the St. James in Sydney and at the Princess in Melbourne take just as much interest in their surroundings as do those in the more expensive rows. Give them the best,” says Sir Beniamin Fuller, after his Australian experience, “and they will look after it!” The front leather-upholstered seats ! n grand circle are equal to any ■n the house. That portion of a C j !, re trat litionally known as “the sods has been abolished at the St. ■ ames. For the sum of two shillings an y seat in this area may be reserved, ts ° e proscenil >m is the same size as that of His Majesty’s, yet the theatre as been designed with a view to such intimacy” that it appears smaller to ne casual observer. Anything from grand opera to revue may be staged M the Auckland St. James. MODELLED FIGURES An effective note in the general deoration scheme is the work of Mr.

William H. Wright, A.R.C.A., the Auckland sculptor. Six female figures, all demurely draped, are placed in the theatre—two on the grand staircase, two in the dress circle foyer, and two others appear above the boxes in the actual theatre itself. Mr. Wright has succeeded admirably in interpreting the grace and beauty of the human form. His "Masque of the Seasciis,” also delightfully modelled form an. important, and most effective portion, of the general decorative plan in the main entrance cm the ground floor. Neither have the artists who provide the entertainment been forgotten. Their quarters behind the stage also conform with the latest theatrical de-

velopments. The dressing-rooms are spacious and airy, are comfortably furnished, and what is even more important from the point of view of the visiting actor, who invariably, misses a central heating system in New Zealand theatres, are electrically heated. Altogether the St. James, a theatre in which Aucklanders generally .share with Sir Beniamin and Mr. John Fuller, a sense of pride in achievement, represents the supreme development in design and construction that the brains of man, assisted by,a bounteous purse, has yet accomplished. For its size, says Mr. Fuller, no theatre in the world can compare with that so successfully opened last evening.