A NEW THEATRE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 214, 6 September 1912, Page 7

A NEW THEATRE.

VAI.TTABX.'E ACQUISITION TO OrrEHITNGA, TO BE THE HOME OF. MOVING PICTURES. There will shortly be completed at Onehungd. a niueli-neinted acquisition in the aha.y>e of a large amd commodions theatre, which is being built by the local 'branch of the ■Foresters, and leased by Messrs. I/odder and :M»cMa)iDn as a picture palace. The structure is om> of which tbe public of Onehmiga may weJl feel proijd. TJic ardriteetnre is must artistic, and the building presents a very pleasing appearance. The front is of •brick:, pain-tod a terra cobta colour, and on top is the well-known coal of arms of. the Foresters. There are four windows in front, two of them being nf stained fflass. Also, above "the doorway, there is a splendid glazed leadliglil, .on which i arc tire words "A.O.F. and Pride One- I hunjja., 5201." Tnside the theatre j ■proves qui>te a resvela.tion. The veiling, j which is of fibrous plaster, and which has ! a magniricent dome Hi feet in diametrj in the centre, is, without doubt, one of the best, if not the best, in Auckland. The walla, all of übrous .plaster, are to he in two pretty shades of green, relieved with gold. One very striking feature of the interior i* the proscenium, which, when finished, will 'be in two terra, cotta, tints, picked out in gold. The main floor is 82 feet 'by 40 feet, and the building is 28 feet C inrben high. The stage is xpry roomy, typing no lees than 38 feet by IS feet. The proscenium opening, -where the pictures will be screened on an asiiestos curtain, is 17 feet (i inches by 12 feet, whh-h will enable a very large picture to be screened. One of the features kept prominently in view throughout buildim; operations has been the safety of the public. The building ie *ns fireproof jib it is possible for a building to be. Everywhere is fibrous plaster. With the curtain down, Hie sfca-re will practically be a fireproof box. In the front of Wie building, behind the dress circle, is the operating room, which has been so constructed that it could be a mass of flames without the publi-c knowing ajrytliing of the fact. The da-ess circle will accommodate 100 people, a.nd the floor spacp about 050 seated. The comfort of patrons is to -be well looked a-fter. In the drees eirdc will ite installed handsome tip-up pliwh-covered scats, and on the floor will bo planed chairs the same as in the Town Hall. The building has been so nrranired that it will be possible to see the whole of the picture from any part. Another good point will .be that -belated arrivals «ill not throw shadows on the K-reen. an annoying feature in more than one theatre in Auckland. Under the stasre is a supper-roooi. capable of seating 200 people, and ladies' and {rft7ntlenit"n's dressing rooms, n pintry fitted with boilei.e and ga-s rings, mid all conveniences are provided. Altogether the building is a model one. and the Forester*' lodge and Mr. ,1, Xlahon are to be congratuhctixl upon making it pnesrble to fulfil the loofr-felt need for a suitable pirblic buildxng. in. abnirt a month's time Mr. MmAlahon will have the Imildiuir in use as a picture 'Uioatrc, and pintirres 01 the liijrh standard set by th,» well-known proprietary will be >h»wn twice a week. The probability is that they will ljter Ix , shown every evening. (hi the evenings when i-t iw not in use as :i pictaim theatre the hall will -be lined for dant-in" and entcriaiiuncn-t.-. Yestcrdiiy Mr. Max-Mahon paid a visit nf inspection to the theatre, and wna shown round 'by Messrs. Shaldrk-k, Foley, and K<-lsall. tbr<- prominent l-'oroiterV. He expressed himself as delighted with the hall, which, he stated, would make an ideal pictnre theatre. "J only wish I had it in Queen Street," he remarked to ii "Star"' representative, who accompanied him. The builder is Mr. .7. A. Blake, the architect Mr. J. Park, the plasterer anil modeller "Mr. C. 1 , . Allen, the glaziers Messrs. Phillips and lmpey. and the eeliiitr »-a.i installed by Mr. \\\ l!*).ts. All of tin , lll have good reason to feel eati*ifie.l with their 'handiwork. which ,b,'.. •them the utmost credit. The building. ■when onmpleted and fitted up, -will liavoco.*t about £3000.