New club opens tonight

Press, 15 October 1986, Page 47

New club opens tonight

The manager of the Palladium nightclub, Mr Jonathan Paisley, describes it as “the most amazing nightclub anywhere in the world.” He says the nightclub, which opens its doors to the public tonight, is based on the English nightclub concept, with fantastic lighting and extravaganza entertainment. Music will be provided by a Christchurch band, the Smithereens. Mr Paisley describes their sound as “nightclub party-chart music.” There are three bars at the Palladium, two on the mezzanine upper floor, and one on the lower floor.

Mr Paisley says the lighting effects at the Palladium can only be

described as spectacular. Their designer, Mr John Clinton, who has designed the lighting for major nightclubs in Australia, says the Palladium is the only club like it in the Southern Hemisphere. One hundred kilometres of cable, 2 tonnes of copper wire and 9426 lightbulbs (not including the house lights) have gone into creating effects which are designed to de-

light and entertain. Mr Paisley says the lighting has cost about SIM.

The electronic motorised moving lights are a feature in themselves. One light is designed as a rocket, even emitting “smoke” to enhance the effect.

A long blue neon light zig zags a lightning bolt effect across the ceiling at 2200 km per hour when activated.

The control booth for these complex electronics closely resembles the cockpit of a jumbo jet aircraft.

There are two twisting stairwells, with lights on the treds activiated by a person stepping on them. Mr Paisley says the three-way active J.B.L. sound system will provide crystal-clear sound, with no bounce or distortion at any volume.