FULLERS’ THEATRES

Evening Star, Issue 19774, 26 January 1928, Page 6

FULLERS’ THEATRES

BIG BUILDING PROGRAMMES RECONSTRUCTION OF PRINCESS NEW HIS AIAJESTY’S PROPOSED Two months from now the reconstruction of the Princess Theatre will be commenced, and when the theatre has been completely modernised over £30,000 will have been spent. The full details of the reconstruction were announced by Sir Benjamin Fuller to a ‘ Star ’ reporter today, and he also made the announcement that within a few years a new His Majesty’s Theatre will be built in Dunedin by the firm.

“The time has come to modernise the Princess Theatre in every respect,” said Sir Benjamin. In the past few days he and Air E. S. ,Luttrell, tho firm’s Christchurch architect, have been making full investigation of the theatre and of sites offered for the erection of a new Princess. However, Sir Benjamin has decided that the theatre shall be reconstructed. The intention is to leave the front and two side walls standing. The side walls will be extended, and a now back wall will be built.

In the interior the gallery, popularly known, in Sir Benjamin’s own words, as tho “upper shelf,” will be abolished. Every modern convenience for light- i ing, handling of scenery, and the comfort of the patrons that money can buy and ingenuity has devised will be installed. Comfortable seats of the latest design will be fitted, and a spacious foyer, retiring rooms, and dressing rooms for the artists are planned. Sir Benjamin predicts that the Princess will be a most attractive resort for entertainment seekers. The accommodation in tho reconstructed Princess will be about the same as at present, but there will be only two floors. Tba stage will be extended, as the theatre property extends for some distance at the rear of the building. Tho firm has very definite theatrical reasons for not extending the accommodation capacity. The human performer (ho said) ivaa an artist apart from the screen shadow player. Delicacy of tone in the voice, and attractiveness of appearance, were necessary, and in some of the big modern theatres it was not possible for the performers to do themselves or tho audience justice.

Sir Benjamin said that the reconstruction would cost between £30,000 and £40,000. When Mr Luttrell, who made such a fine job of the reconstruction of the Christchurch Opera House, a £30,000 contract, has prepared his plans, tenders for the work will be called in Dunedin. The alterations, he expected, would commence in March, and the Princess would be reopened for business six months later. In the interim the revue companies would play at His Majesty’s Theatre when' dates were available.

Did the firm propose to make any alterations to His Majesty’s Theatre? Sir Benjamin was asked.

He replied that a new theatre was proposed. He had in view a very fine site, which would not be available for two or three years. On that site the firm intended to erect a first-class theatre, second to none in this part of the globe. The new His Majesty’s Theatre would be worthy of Dunedin for many years to come. They now knew on what lines to work. The St. Janies Theatre in Sydney had proved a great success. At present the Jimmie GoddenElsie Prince Company was playing ‘ Archie ’ there, and the show would open its Now Zealand tour at Dunedin at Easter.

“ I am pleased to see that Dunedin is being brought up to date by the erection of two magnificent picture theatres,” said Sir Benjamin. “Although I am not immediately interested in them, I am sure they will merit the support that Dunedin can give to worthy enterprises. The picture houses compete with our enterprises, but they give their little bit of competition that is so good for trade.”