NEW SUBURBAN CINEMA

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28792, 13 January 1959, Page 7

NEW SUBURBAN CINEMA

The Vogue Opens In Spreydon

Christchurch’s newest picture theatre, The Vogue, was opened in Spreydon last evening. The theatre, .which was officially opened by the Mayor (Mr G. Manning) is the first to have been erected since 1939. As well as the capacity audience of 480 persons who had booked seats for the opening performance, an equal number of persons from various parts of the district lined both sides of the street outside the well-lit theatre. A constable and a traffic officer were on duty but the crowd wes well behaved and dispersed after the opening. Patrons and onlookers started arriving at the cinema from an early hour. The theatre, which waa built at a cost of nearly £30400, was ffrst envisaged for the district in 1946. but could not be erected because of building restrictions m force at the time. However, a company was formed and the site in Barrington street was purchased in 1955, and a licence for the cinema was granted by the Department of Internal Affairs in 1057. Opening by Mayer . “The theatre management is tn be congratulated on its vision and enterprise in building the cinema in this very progressive suburb of Spreydon, and I join with them in thanking all those who have co-operated in providing this amenity for the residents,” said Mr Manning. Spreydon was most favoured in having many amenities available to its citizens, he said, including large areas of parks and two community centres. ' „ Mr Manning then declared the Vogue theatre, “in the prosperous suburb of Spreydon," officially open. “The management is extremely pleased at the support which residents have given to the new theatre, which will provide a much-needed want for residents in our rapidly expanding district,” said the chairman of directors of Suburban Cinemas (Mr R. F. Simes).