PLAZA THEATRE

Northern Advocate, 29 October 1932, Page 8

PLAZA THEATRE

A SUCCESSFUL 'PREMIERE

A DELIGHTED AUDIENCE

There was a brilliant patch in Cameron Street last evening, when the new Plaza Theatre ■ was floodlighted on the occasion of the official opening. The floodlighting wns a great success, the lines of the theatre and the inviting entrance vestibule being given striking prominence. Much interest had naturally been taken in the opening of the theatre, and, as a consequence, the attendance of picture-goers was very gratifying. The occasion was notable, not only for the fact that the ceremony of declaring the building officially open was performed by the Mayor, Mr \V. .Tones, but because a long-lnoked-forward-to picture, °“Tho Man Mho Played God,” was screened. The theatre itself was seen in all the beauty of its lighting, which is very effective, and creates an atmosphere of comfort and restfulness.

During an interval in the programme, the Mayor, accompanied by .Mr,W. O’Donoghue, the District Pub-; lie Trustee, and Mr W. Harding, manager of the - theatre, ascended the stage. The Mayor was briefly introduced by Mr O’Donoghue, who, on behalf of the owners of the theatre, extended a hearty welcome to the audience, and invited Mr Jones to declare the building open. 'Mr Jones said it gave him very great pleasure, in his official position as Mayor of the town, to take part in the ceremony of opening the Plaza Theatre, because the construction of such a fine building proved that the owners had faith in the future of Whangarei, a faith which he w’as convinced was well founded. The work had been done during the winter months, .and this had relieved the unemployment pressure, a matter of much importance in present circumstances. Whangarei was admittedly a progressive and up-to-date town, and it now possessed two of the finest picture theatres in New Zealand. He paid a warm compliment to the architect, Mr Llewellyn Williams, for the artistic building ho had designed. No one-, he said, could recognise the old Lyceum in the beautiful Plaza which had grown out of it. He congratulated the architect, and the builder, Mr A. Y. Provan, and hoped that , the owners’ enterprise would be crowned with success. Mr Jones then, amidst applause, declared the theatre open.

The programme selected for the auspicious occasion was of a most interesting nature. The star picture, of course, was that in which George Arliss acted as “The Man Who Played God," but the supporting films provided a fund of rich and varied entertainment. “Pathe Gazette" dealt with events of moment in different parts of the world, and a “sports edition" showed some splendid examides of ski-ing and tobogganing. A very instructive him illustrated a journey through Ceylon, Singapore and Java, the methods of living and working being dealt with in a most interesting way.

The star film, which ■ occupied the whole of the second portion of the programme, shows George Arliss at his best, which is high commendation. “The Man Who Played God” is a remarkable theme. It deals with an epochal period in the life of a famous musician. He has the world at his feet. His fame has won for him the plaudits of the great and the love of women. He has passed middle ago when the story opens, and is at the zenith of his powers. Then comes a tragic moment. A king is detained when proceeding to a charity concert given by the musician. The concert is a tremendous success, but his piajesty arrives just after the curtain has fallen. He prevails upon the musician to play Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata,” when an explosion occurs. The shock makes the player stone deaf, as was his mother before him. He is overwhelmed by the discovery that music, for which he had- lived, means nothing to him. He shuts. himself from the world, curses God for allowing such a tragedy 'to occur, and wishes to die. Ho is saved from suicide in a providential manner, and, becoming an expert lip-reader, realises that a new mission, to take the place of music, is before him. By means of binoculars he watches from his windows those "who speak in the street and the park below. He discovers the problems of life and death, and love and disappointment, with which they are contending, and, by means of his servant, is able to send them the aid for -which he has seen them praying. They thank God, Who they believe has heard their prayers, and the musician, so far from cursing the Deity or denying His existence, becomes impressed with the belief that lie is an instrument in the hands of God. Then comes a most appropriate curtain, where a good man meets the reward which he has earned. It is a wonderful theme, worked out in a manner which holds the audience in rapt attention from beginning to end. George Arliss is magnificent in every phase of the story, and his characterisation of “The Man Who Played God” has placed him still more firmly on the heights.

Tlie presentation' of tlic programme served to demonstrate the fine acoustics of the tlieat.ro and the excellence of the talking apparatus, every word and note being distinctly heard throughout the building. The Plaza’s premiere was in every way a success. The programme is to be repeated this evening.