AUCKLAND’S ENTERTAINMENT CENTRES AND THE MEN IN CHARGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 538, 15 December 1928, Page 5 (Supplement)

AUCKLAND’S ENTERTAINMENT CENTRES AND THE MEN IN CHARGE

HIS MAJESTY'S

MR. JOHN FARRELL, Auckland manager of His Majesty’s Theatre, is one of the oldest members of the J. C. Williamson, Ltd. staff. During his managerial career Mr. Farrell has conducted through New Zealand a number of world-famous artists such as Oscar Asche, the laje H. B. Irv ing, Dion Boucicault and Irene Vanbrugh, and Pavlova, and big productions which have been staged under his management in elude “Ben-Hur,” “Chu-Chin-Chow” and ‘‘Maid of the Mountains.’*

LYRIC

MR. WILLIAM J. BANNEHR, has controlled the destinies of the Lyric Theatre, Upper Symonds Street, for some years, ar.d under his able guidance the Lyric is one of the best-known places of entertainment in Auckland. Mr. Bannehr is another of the pioneers of the motion picture industry, and was connected with the first picture theatre to be established in the Cathedral Square, Christchurch.

ST. JAMES

MR. R. G. FULLER.—The spontaneous success of the St. James Theatre was to no slight degree due to the genial manager, Mr. R. G. Fuller, who is Auckland manager for John Fuller and Sons (N.Z.) Ltd. Mr. Fuller has the unique experience of having, during his career, managed every theatre of the Fuller circuit in Australia and New Zealand.

THE MAJESTIC

THE PLAZA

MR. A. L. O’BRIEN is general manager for the Thomas A. O’Brien circuit of Auckland Theatres which includes the Plaza, Queen Street, Tivoli, Karangahape Road, Everybody’s, Queen Street, Rialto, Newmarket, Regent, Epsom, Britannia, Three Lamps, and Royal, Kingsland.

MR. C. R. SMITH.—The maintenance of the high standard of entertainment at the Majestic has been the first care of Mr. Chas. R. Smith, manager since the theatre opened three years ago. Before that Mr. C. R. Smith had a long career of theatre management in both Dunedin and Wellington, culminating in the management of the Strand Theatre, Auckland. Mr. Smith is proud of his 15 years’ constant association with the Fuller-Hayward Company, in theatres, and on the road with travelling companies as advance agent or business manager.

THE STRAND MR. PHILIP C. FURLEY. The genial personality of Mr. P. C. Furley is one of the outstanding features at the Strand Theatre. Born in England, Mr. Furley came to New Zealand while quite a young man and tried life in the backblocks. He served during the war and returned to Auckland in 1919. His next job was Town Clerk of Paeroa and subsequently in Birkenhead. On the opening of the Majestic Theatre he was offered the management of the Strand, a position which he ably fulfils.

NEW REGENT

MR. A. R. SHEPARD, general manager for J. C. Williamson (N.Z.) Films. Ltd., who control the circuit of Regent Theatres throughout the Dominion, has been connected with the motion picture business since its infancy. From his knowledge of the vaudeville business, gained during his association with the Fullers, for whom he was also American representative, Mr. Shepard secured the franchise of J.C.W. vaudeville for New Zealand, and as managing director of New Zealand Entertainers, Ltd., introduced many of the world's greatest vaudeville stars to Dominion audiences.