PICTURE THEATRES

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 82, 7 April 1938, Page 14

PICTURE THEATRES

IMPORTANT CHANGES

WELLINGTON AND DUNEDIN

Progressive changes in the theatre world will in the immediate'future affect both Wellington and Dunedin. Shortfs Theatre, Willis Street, Wellington, has been taken over by Amalgamated Theatres, Ltd., which is extending its activities in Wellington and Dunedin. In the latter city the company has acquired the lease of the Octagon Theatre. This change takes effect from April 15, and as soon as plans and specifications are completed a thorough reconstruction of the building will be started. Amalgamated Theatres intend spending several thousands of pounds rebuilding, refurnishing, and re-equipping the Dunedin theatre which, it is claimed, will be one of the finest in the Dominion when the proposed work is completed. The new lessees of the Octagon Theatre have obtained a long tenancy from the Methodist Central Mission, and this is making a comprehensive programme of reconstruction possible. The theatre will be brought into line with modern standards of elegance and comfort and will be one of the finest in New Zealand. The decoration will be such as to conform with modern theatre development and yet be in keeping with the use of the building as a place of worship on Sunday. Following the completion of the work on the Octagon Theatre, it is the company's intention completely to remodel the State and the Grand, so that the three theatres in Dunedin will be of a uniform standard. In addition to the work at Shortt's Theatre, the company's immediate building programme includes a complete remodelling of King's Theatre, Wellington, which, like Shortt's, had its origins in the earliest days of the motion picture industry in the Dominion. Shortt's Theatre will be renamed and ready for opening on Easter Saturday. The Dunedin deal will mark the Octagon's fourth change of management. The original owners were the Fuller-Hayward Company, but about 20 years ago Mr. Johnston took over the lease of the theatre, conducting it for the greater part of the time. For a brief period after that the J. C. Williamson Picture Corporation held the lease, finally disposing of it to Mr. Johnston, who has held it until the present time.