NEW THEATRE OPENED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 784, 3 October 1929, Page 16

NEW THEATRE OPENED

TALKIES AT DEVONPORT FULLER-HAYWARD CHAIN high-class Queen Street thi»9-> in miniature*’ aptly describes the \ ictona Theatre, in Victoria rL'J Deyonport. which was opened offlefa last evening by the Deputy-Mayor o Devonport, Mr. J. Hislop, i n ft, , sence of the Mavor. ab ' This is the sSth theatre in New Zo, land to come under the Fuller-Ha," ward banner. It is the largest and modern theatre north of the cltv h. mg a seating accommodation for »r‘ proximately 1,000, and, in the opbZ of Air. Hislop. Is the finest suburbai theatre in Auckland. It was that the firm should show suffleierconfidence in the progress of Devon port to spend the sum of £2O 00ft the new building-, he said. ’ n The building was darkened, and th* curtain drawn aside for the screen t announce that the theatre was ded . port!” *° * the tlieatre S°ers of Devon! ,‘‘ w ® fe,b the onus was on us to provide the North Shore with a mod'--, picture house in keeping with its pro' gressive development." Sir. L. L Speedy, manager of the Fu] er-Hav ward suburban chain, told a Sun representative later in the evening. *‘l\‘a went ahead and built the new Tvtoria,’ which is quite equal in its anpointments to a city theatre. Throngthe talkies, with their limitless scop, for first-class entertainment, residents can look forward to nearing and seeing the world s best artists as presented overseas.” The policy of the theatre, said Mr. Speedy, will be to screen only the pick of the talkies which come to Auckland. There will be three changes of programme each week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, each being presented on two nights and at a matinee on Saturdays. Prices will be lower than in the city. The theatre is excellently designed and well appointed. An effective blue and gold colour scheme has been carried out in hangings and drapings, and the dull mat finish of the walls is relieved by toned panels. The indirect lighting effects are all in keeping with the scheme, from the futuristic design of the hanging lights to the glowing braziers let in the walls. Seats are arranged to give excellent vision from all parts of the house. A novel touch is seen in the forest of waving pot plants in what would be the orchestral pit of the old-time theatre. The following firms co-operated in building and fitting the theatre:— Messrs. Turnbull and Jones, Ltd., electrical engineers; Messrs. Andrews and Clark, furnishers; Messrs. Watson and Holmes, builders and contractors; Mr. L>aniel B. Patterscn. architect; and Messrs. Cuff and Thompson, talkie equipment manufacturers. A crowded house last evening applauded the initial programme, which was headed by “The Home Towners. a latest Warner Bros.’ all-talking pic* i ture. The film, one of the most eni .ioyable comedies ever screened, ha? been adapted from the stage succes by George M. Cohan. A cast of notable players includes Richard Bennett, Boris Kenyon. Robert Me* : Wade. Gladys Brock well. Robert E<k' ; son, Stanley Taylor and Vera Lewi?. Tomorrow’s change of programme : will be “Love Never Bies.”