HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE

Evening Star, Issue 22032, 18 May 1935, Page 14

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE

PLANS FOR ALTERATIONS His Majesty’s Theatre is about to be modernised. A want for such renovations has long been felt, and the announcement by Sir Benjamin Fuller to-day that the work will soon he put in hand should be pleasant-news for the theatre-going public of. Dunedin. Foremost amongst the alterations will be the removal of 19 of the 22 posts at present supporting the dress circle, which in future will be suspended on the canter-lever plan, thereby enabling patrons of the rear stalls to obtain an unobstructed view of the stag®. New seating accommodation will .be provided throughout, and the theatre will be expensively carpeted. n An attractive new ceiliiig will replace the ill-lit floral-patterned dome. Modem lighting will also be incorporated, and the interior of theatre'. redecorated. The present retiring rooms at the rear of the dress circle will be removed to the ground floor. . , In connection with the alterations, Mr W. Burton, general manager of John Fuller and Sons, and Mr M. J. Rill stone, of the Fletcher Construction Company, will arrive from Wellington on Monday morning. For a few years prior to 1902 the theatre building was the Agricultural Hall, which was eventually converted into His Majesty's, where the first entertainment was ‘ A Runaway Gril, 1 presented by a J. C. William son . company. commencing on Wednesday, December 3, 1902. In those days, His Majesty’s was styled as an “ elegant theatre.” During 3916 tho theatre was redecorated, and the present ceiling erected. When the theatre _ reopened the first programme was given by the Sydney Jdmes Strolling Flayers.