PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 14, 28 August 1930, Page 5

PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE.

SUCCESSFUL OPENING.

All roads led to the Waiwetu on Tuesday evening when the Prince Edward Theatre was officially opened by i.ijs Worship the Mayor (Bir Alexander Ko'uerts), under t&e most favourable conditions. The seating accommodation was taxed to its utmost, it 'being necessary to place extra, chairs in some of the passage ways. Unfortunately even this consideration did not. provide for the .great crowds and many had to retilrn. to their homes disappointed^ The*" beautifoil interior .design, of. the 'theatre was the subject of general admiration by , every one in the large audience. A full description of the building appeared in our last week's issue. It was not until nearly 5.30 that the large audience could be placed iiV its seats owing to the exceptionally.' heavy bookings.

The Mayor, who was introduced by Mr. Toogoocl, chairman of the Thoatre Company, congratulated the promoters on' their enterprise in: erecting the theatre and" hoped that they -would re- v eeyve the support of the He pointed out that with the excellent facilities no-xv offered there was no longer any jieed. for local residents to go outside of , their own district for their entertainment.

Mr. Toogoocl, in repljdhg, tihanked the Mayor for his presence and fox his kincliy: references to the theatre. He complimented the architect and the builders;' also Mr. R. S. Dent>7> the theatre manager and the assistant manager, Mr. Carlson, for the .excellent manner in which, they had carried out the arrangements.

.During the interval Mr. J, W. An;drews, president of tiie Lower Hutt Chamber of Commerce, on -behalf of the representatives of the Various local bodies who were present, a^so on behalf of the audience, congratulated the management on its enterprise.. He had seen the district grow from paddocks three and a-half years ago to almost a ; city to-day, and he hoped the people would support the new enterprise in the manner it deserved. . Three -hearty cheers were given1 for the management. i Mr. W. Nash^\M.P., also added his 'congratulations and asked for the support of local people. He hoped: they would always have sufficient money to enjoy the good pictures provided foT theri: He knew of no greater nieditan .forcdTlcatioh, if used aright, than the picture film. 'The. invention of the picture film and the motor ear he considered were the two inventions which had the 'greatest influence on the present generation. He wished the theatre .every suecss; ■ .After the beautiful .blue' and gold curtain had drawn aside to reveal the screen a delightful, effect was produced when.the lights were dimmed and. the theatre was bathed.-in a soft warm glow which gave, to the architecture of the old English Baronial :Ha?ll a charming'effect."■ .■":.' ■',■ -. Among the announcements made oil the screen -after "Welcome to All/ and;'' K via Ora,' '■ was the in" tei vesting information -that; by making application at the office arrangement can be made for deaf people to be supplied with ear phones. Following the regular practice car- , ried out at Kyig George Theatre^ the 1 programme opened with t-he National Anthem. The pictures provided a great variety of entertainment and its variednature served to demonstrate in a most satisfactory manner the perfect acoustic properties of the new building, also the fa/uiltless sound and projection qualities of the talkie plant which has been installed. The main picture, "Alias French Gertie, "featuring Bebe Daniels, was preceded by an. excellent collection: of. topical gazette features among which were .fine scenes of-ITotre Dame Cathedral, scenes on t-he-Thames and in. India. A beautiful coloured pie ture *rTiie DoirShop'*.,with its wonderful ballet scenes, served, as an excellent rxample. of the /beauties to be derived from the modern seiiiima art.