WILLIAMSON ENTERPRISE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18552, 30 November 1925, Page 7

WILLIAMSON ENTERPRISE.

PICTURES AND VAUDEVILLE. (special to "the peess.")" AUCKLAND, November 29. vMi ,.a well-known Australian film producer, who is managing director, of and partner in the new. "J. C. Williamson Films, Ltd; (N.Z.)," arrived in Auckland -by tbe , Maheno on business connected with the' ehterpriso' the company proposes to provide for moving pictures and vaudeville throughout the Dominion. A new theatre is to bs built in Queen street, Auckland, at a cost of about £IIO,OOO. The new building will be constructed according to the latest ideas in theatre architecture and will accommodate about 2000 people. A Grand Wurlitzer organ will be installed at a cost of £7500. The pipes will not be visible to the audience but will be honeycombed into the proscenium and,will be eo arranged that the notes will come'from all parts of the theatre. In Wellington the firm will reconstruct tho old Opera House, known as the Tivoh, to suit requirements. Building operations in both theatres will commence shortly and it is expected that they will be completed by the end of next -winter. The architect ds Mr Cedric Ballantyne,, of Melbourne. The' directors of the new company are Sir George Tallis, Mr. J; H. Tait, Mr F. W. Thring (who controls about 50 theatres in Victoria and New South Wales), and Mr Beaumont Smith. Mr Smith will act as managing director for New Zealand, and will have his headquarters in Auckland. The artists to appear in the vaudeville sections will be' taken from, the Williamson and the Tivoli circuits. One big act and two small cnes -will probably be presented at each performance together with the usual picture programme. Mr John Tait will arrive from America by the Aorangi uext week and vill confer with Mr Ballantyne, the architect, who will also come next week. Mr F. W. Thring is expected to reach Auckland by the Maunganui.