GALA- REOPENING

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 16, 18 July 1936, Page 7

GALA- REOPENING

KING GEORGE THEATRE

Extensively renovated, redecorated, and modernised, the King, George Thc~ ate, Lower Hutt,. was reopened last evening with a gala performance. Prior to the screening of the programme, the Mayor. Mr. J. W. Andrews, and the Hon. Walter Nash, M.P., each had a few congratulatory remarks to make.

. The former remarked that the hew sound apparatus which had been installed was as good as any in the city, and, what was more, it had been planned, designed, and-made in New Zealand. He. also paid tribute to the ownership and .management of the theatre, the building always being available for a. good cause.

Mr. Nash sketched the development of the modern theatre in which sound films were shown, from the days of the magic lantern, and he forecast real colour ' pictures and ' television in the home as things to come in a decade or two.

The theatre now presents a most attractive interior. A new set of draughtproof doors open into the vestibule, and the general scheme of decoration and lighting has been vastly improved. The whole of the auditorium has been remodelled, and the walls and ceilings tinted with soft warm shades. Grill effects round the walls have been used to good effect in the lighting system, which is-enhanced by three lights hanging from the ceiling. The new seats will be found to add greatly to the comfort of the ■ audiences. Those in the dress circle arid front stalls are covered with leather, while the back stalls are upholstered. The renovations and redecorations have been extended to include the 'stairs, cloakrooms, etc. Last evening's opening programme was a double-leature one and met with the full approval of the capacity 'audience. Trie new soundrecording apparatus which has been installed, and which is of the latest pattern, did full justice to it. "The Tunnel," which stars Richard Dix, Leslie Banks, Madge Evans, Helen Vinson, and C. Aubrey. Smith, proved to :be a most spectacular drama. The ! theme of the film is the building of a I tunnel beneath the Atlantic connecting Britain and America. This is accomplished with the backing of a group of. American millionaires; and one sees in.the carrying out of this stupendous work scenes which leave H. G; Wells and his "Things to Come" almost in the shade. But the engineer responsible for this miracle has to pay the price for his 'devotion-, to his work: he neglects his wife,, and'in. this estrangement is developed'the human side of the story. "The Tunnel" is a remarkable' production and shows- to what heights Gaumont-British directors, technicians, and actors can attaint The second; feature of the programme is of a very different nature. "Redheads on Parade" is a tuneful and gorgeous extravaganza starring Dixie Lee in semq and dance. The inconsequential brightness of this production provides entertainment for eye" and ear of . a light and tuneful order, the story concerning rival hair dye manufacturers and the production of a film.