NEW THEATRES

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 30 November 1927, Page 6

NEW THEATRES

THE WANGANUI REGENT HANDSOME BUILDING TO BE ERECTED. OTHER ACTIVITIES FORECASTED. Exceptional -activity in theatrical enterprises has boen made manifest of .recent months throughout New Zealand, but nowhere has it become more marked than in the districts bordering on this coast. Within the last few weeks the pubhc ha© been informed of the introduction of new interests to South Taranaki, where the two Hawera Theatres have been taken over by a local syndicate acting conjointly with Messrs J. C. Williamson Ltd. and Air W. R. Kemball. Now it is authoritatively announced that the w#ll-known theatrical firm and Air Kemball have finalised arrangements for building an up-to-date theatre in Wanganui. The extension of their inter* ests to that town was forecasted in “Tli© Star” recently, when arrangements. with the local, syndicate were finalised.

This morning’s issue of the AVangarni i “Chronicle” makes the fallowing statement:

- “Negotiations for the formation of a company to purchase the Alexander site at the corner of Victoria Avenue and Inge sere Street, and build a new theatre on the lines of the Regent Theatre, Auckland, were completed last evening. The new company is to be known as the Regent Theatre- Go., Wanganui, Ltd., and the shareholders are J. C. Williamson Fjlms Ltd., Alexander Buildings, Ltd., and others. “Another venture is also, announced, it being authoritatively stated that arrangements have been practically completed to build the latest type of picture theatre in the centre of the city, practically opposite the D.1.C., Wellingon and New Plymouth picture interests, together with Wanganui capital, are interested .in the proposition.

“The whole of the capital of the Regent Theatre Co., Wanganui, Ltd., has been underwritten, and the plans for the new building, which includes shops and other premises, are being prepared immediately. J. O. Williamson Films, Ltd., are leasing the theatre from the building company for a period of 15 years with certain provisions for extension, and the theatre will -be rail primarily as a picture and vaudeville house, but with provision for housing J. O. Williamson companies that tour New Zealand.” : After mentioning other centres 1 , including Hawera, in which Messrs. Williamson. Ltd. and Kemball are interested, the “Chronicle’’ states : “During the next few weeks the company intends to acquire interests in theatres in other important towns in Taranaki.” , “It is the intention of the Regent Theatre to. present its picture entertainments on the same scale as at the Regent Theatre, Auckland, with the exclusive use qf the Williamson vaudeville from the Tivoli theatres in Melbourne and Sydney,” the report concludes. “At the present time these acts are being brought to- New Zealand, but only fo.r Auckland and Wellington, but with the extension of the circuit they will be shown throughout New Zealand. The new theatre will embrace all the latest ideas in theatrical construction, both in seating and lighting, and four shops will be erected between Adams' Garage and Ingestre Street.”