WAITARA'S NEW THEATRE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1917, Page 4

WAITARA'S NEW THEATRE.

OPENING PROCEEDINGS. The new Waitara theatre, designated "The Theatre Royal," was opened last evening, the accommodation, considerable as it is, being unable to hold all the people, over -MO being turned away. The building was designed by Messrs flrierson & Aimer, of Auckland, who also built "Everybody's," at New Plymouth, and are building Stratford's new theatre. It is a modem adaptation of Grecian design, and would be a credit to any city in the .Dominion. Its seating capacity is about COO. The lighting and ventilation are special features, and the general effect is very pleasing. The seats aro of the latest kind, and the furnishings are in keeping with the magnificence of the building. The theatre was built -by Mr. A. W. Ogle for the faranaki Amusements, Ltd.

The Mayor (111'. E, Heckbessingcr). before the performance commenced, formally declared the theatre open. He said that for years Waitara had been without an adequate public building and theatre, but now through the enterprise of Mr. Ogle and the Taranaki Amusements, Ltd., they had a building which did the town credit He had no doubt the enterprise .vould meet with the reward it deserved. Now the town would attract travelling theatrical companies, which hitherto for lack of accommodation had to pass the town. Mr. T. 0. List (chairman of directors of the Taranaki Amusements, Ltd.) brieliy replied, pointing out that the company proposed giving Waitara tho best in the way of motion pictures that could be supplied, and would endeavor to send out to Waitara travelling theatrical companies. Teh idea of Mr. Ogle and the company was to provide the town with the best building possible, and he hoped they had succeeded. There were a good many Waitara shareholders, in the Amusements Company, Mr. A. W. Ogle being a member of the directorate, and therefore it was closely associated with Wtiitarn's interests, and not altogether a New Plymouth concern.

The National Anthem was then struck up by the pianist (Mr. Murray Fowler), and the picture programme was gone through. ■Subsequently the Amusements Company entertained the leading citizens of the town to supper, and a toast, list was discussed. The theatre will be open again tonight, when a Mary Pickford will be -iibmittcd, and there will be another change of programme on Saturday. It is intended to open thrice weekly thereafl'Sf—on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.