THEATRE OPENING

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 50, 27 August 1930, Page 5

THEATRE OPENING

PRINCE EDWARD, WOBURN

A GREAT SUCCESS

The new Priuco Edward Theatre at Woburn was officially opened last night by the Mayor of Lower Hutt (Sir Alexander Roberts) before a full house. Members and officers of Hutt Valley local bodiesj and distinguished citizens of both Petone and Lower Hutfc were present, as well as a large number of visitors from the city. All admired the tasteful and harmonious decorations of the theatre and its luxurious furnishings. Sir Alexander- Roberts traced the history of the development of the motionpicture during the past generation. When he was a boy, he said, the picture show was unknown; it had developed into its present advanced state in the past twentyfive years. People to-day would be amused if they could see the early picture shows. Continuing Sir Alexander said that in the Old Country in 1925 he had been shown as a great privilege a demonstration of an experimental sound film. To-day the sound film was almost at the point of perfection. The picture screen, to his mind, was developing in the right direction. He would say to the people of the district that there was no need for them to go elsewhere to find a beautiful theatre. The designers and builders of the Prince Edward should receive the district's hearty congratulations on the success of their work. Finally, he commended the enterprise and forethought of the owners of the building and expressed the hope that' the people of the district would support them and make then? enterprise worth while. Mr. A. J. Toogood, chairman of directors of the company owning the theatre, expressed regret that a large number of people had been unable to obtain admission, and hoped that the great number present augured well for the future. The management would endeavour to give the best of pictures and the best of attention. On behalf of the company Mr. Toogood thanked Mr. W. J. Prouse, the architect, and his assistant, Mr. Wilson, for the very artistic theatre they had produced. The company claimed that there was no other in New Zealand of like design. To the builder, Mr. Harold Edwards, and his assistant, to the electrical and plumbing contractors, and to the workmen, they owed a debt of gratitude for the faithful work done. Especial thanks were due to Mr. Khodes Denby and Mr. J. M. Carlson for their efforts in connection with the new theatre.

The first half of the programme was then screened. During the interval Mr. J. W. Andrews rose from the audience to thank the management for the confidence they had shown in the future of the district. His call for* three cheers for the management met with a hearty response. Q^Jie member for the district, Mr. Walter Nash, added his congratulations to those already given. If he could express a wish, he said, it would be that all the people in the district would have a sufficient sum available every week to make the theatre the success it deserved to be. He hoped that the company would be able to provide some of the finest films and that their enterprise would have the reward it richly deserved. The big picture, "Alias French Gertie," with Bebe Daniels in the title role, waa thoroughly enjoyed.