THEATRE PIONEER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 634, 10 April 1929, Page 6

THEATRE PIONEER

FAREWELL TO MANAGER MR. L. L. SPEEDY HONOURED Hundreds of Takapuna residents j assembled last evening at the Picture- j drome, Milford, to bid farewell to the manager, Mr. L. L. Speedy, who is leaving to take charge of the Moulin Rouge Theatre, as the Tudor Theatre, Remuera, has been renamed. Mr. Speedy was the pioneer of the pictures and dance entertainment, which he proposes to introduce to his new theatre. The work done for the district by Mr. Speedy was stressed by Mr. J. W. Williamson, Mayor of Takapuna, in presenting him with a walking-stick and a wallet on behalf of the Picturedrome staff. Mr. Thomas, chairman of directors, and Mr. T. Hill, the new manager, outlined briefly the future policy. The presentation of a fountain pen was made to Mr. Birrell O’Malley, the popular Auckland tenor, who is leaving shortly for Italy to continue his studies. Mr. O’Malley has played in the Picturedrome orchestra since its establishment. Items were given by Mr. Tyso, violinist, Mr. Birrell O’Malley and Mr. T. Hill. Dance spectacles arranged by the Sydney School of Dancing included a ballet by the Sydney Six, a novelty item by the Zara Sisters and a demonstration of the Tile Trot by Miss Ruby Phillips and Mr. Hugh Champion. The Picturedrome dance orchestra provided music until midnight.