NEW THEATRE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 144, 14 December 1935, Page 17

NEW THEATRE

THE STATE, PETONE

The State, Petone's new theatre, which was officially opened last evening, is claimed to be the most luxurious and modern suburban theatre in New Zealand. The opening ceremony was performed by the Hon. W. Nash, Minister of Finance] The entrance walls and pillars of the theatre are in black vitrolite, with the word "State" in chromium plating on each pillar and a large neon, sign outside.'- ■'The showcase* iidards are finished with chromium-plate trimmings. Beautiful doors of ■ oak and; cut,plateglass lead into -«the foyeri The leadlight over the doors has' an original rising sun- efTect..- • The spacious foyer is furmsHed-in'oak '.at the bottom,, blending, into \valls that'are tex ' 'finished; with beautifully toned sunrise effects.. The., qeiling .is of stepped carrara,;tastefully coloured. / On the floor is a specially, imported ' Axminster carpet of "original design. The ceiling lights, of which there are four sets, are: of a candle : typ'e; chromiumplated, vand each contains'five lamps. The ehrorhlum-plat'ed side lights, seven in numba-, are of the two-lamp type. A novel; feature ; is' a pram-park for mothers.'.' Leading off the foyer is a lounge bar, American style; for the use:of patrons. The foyer' is gentlyramped.' • : - •■-■•-..'• The theatre has seating accommodation for1 just over 900 people. The full-cove ceiling is entirely lined with Donnaconna. The ceiling is shaded a delicate . buff colour. The walls ,are of a mottled green wiped tex, jblending at the bottom into brown with a red bead. The fluted wall brackets, of. striking design, fifteen in number, each contains 36 electric lamps in three colours. In the centre ,of the ceiling there is/a striking design, of well effect, containing 300 lamps in three colours.'1 There': are 900 lamps in the auditorium, and the lighting is on the indirect'principle. The proscenium, which" is 32ft wide and 25ft high, contains a- full arch, with artistic grille work; in three colours. In front there is a gold satin curtain and behind it a silver metalline effects curtain—the only one in a suburban theatre in New Zealand The theatre is fitted with a special.system that heats the air 15 degrees above the temperature outside in winter, arid it is used for cooling the air in summer. Fisher sound equipment* of the latest type, has been installed. Aids for the hardrof-hearing have been placed in the theatre. The plant is of New Zealand manufacture. The seats are of vermin-proof rubber, and give an inch more space than required by regulations. There is plenty of room for the-feet in-front. The centre arid front stalls are ramped, so that patrons can see without difficulty. The dress- circle has; been built on the stadium principle. Over 400 yards of Axminster carpet is on the floor in the auditorium. The Hon. W. Nash, who was introduced by the Mayor of Petone (Mr. A. Scholefield), expressed pleasure at being, present. Not only did the theatre represent the enterprise of the organisation behind it, he said, but it stood .for the progress that had been made in the motion picture industry He expressed the wish that the' State Theatre would be known throughout the district as a theatre .which consistently maintained the highest standards of entertainment and instruction that were possible in New Zealand. He was pleased to have the privilege of declaring the theatre officially open. The principal picture featured the famous child star, Shirley Temple, in "Bright Eyes." For such a young child there is no doubt she possesses a marvellous ability. She is cast in the role of a, little girl living n/'ar an aerodrome. Her father, who was an aviator, had been killed, and- she has more or less been adopted by the aviators. Then her mother- is killed in an accident. She is allowed to stay on at the home where her mother was employed as a .servant, but only on sufferance, for she is loved by the uncle of her mother's employers A battle ensues for the custody of the child. Romance is cleverly interwoven in the story. Eventually all turns out well. Also prominent in the picture besides Shirley Temple are Jane Withers and James Dunn. The supports include newsreels (the race for the Melbourne Cup is well worth seeing, and an Oswald the Rabbit cartoon.