NEW CITY THEATRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20072, 9 October 1928, Page 14

NEW CITY THEATRE.

MR. T. A. O'BRIEN'S PLANS. TEA TAKEN WITH PICTURES. COMPETITION FOR A NAME. Plans fur flic now picture theatre, seating 2750 people, which Lho 'I hovnas O'Brien 'J'heatres are to Imi I<l on the civic centre, will lm furthered by the return to Auckland of .Mr. Thomas A. O'Brien, who lias been visiting Dutiedin to attend the opening of his new theatre (.here. Not only do the plans show the new Auckland theatre to lie the largest, in the Dominion, hut the equipment and furnishings, modelled on the latest practice abroad, will bo provided upon an exceedingly lavish seale. Occupying a site 160 ft. square, with frontages to Queen and Wollosley Streets, with an additional area 40ft. by 60ft., facing Fergusson Street, for the purposes of a parking area, the new theatre will be built on the atmospheric plan, whereby an open-air appearance is given to the roof. A perfectly smooth dome, painted blue in imitation of the sky, will lie plavod upon by Hood lights hidden in front of the balcony, thus procuring realistic cloud effects. Imitation stars, placed on dimmers to create the illusion of immense distance, will be caused to twinkle by means of a "mako-and-break" electrical device, while sunsets arid sunrises will bo pictured by means of lights at the top of the proscenium. Pictures in Tearooms. An innovation, sijggestivo of Continental practice, will be the presentation of a complete moving picture entertainment in the tearooms each afternoon, complete with an orchestral programme and a number of variety turns. These tearooms will seat from 500 to 600 people, the main hall seating from 2200 to 2500. Special films dealing wi'h women's fashions and related subjects will bo shown during the afternoon tea session, industrial and travel films will lie offered during the businessmen s luncheon hour and a supper entertainment will be given each night at the close of the performance in the auditorium. By adopting the principle of the rising orchestral platform, the same orchestra will plav in the tearooms as will play in the auditorium. When lowered, it is in the tearooms; when raised it is in the theatre. An electric motor will provide the motive power. The orchestra, which will be the largest in Auckland, will rise to the accompaniment of softly-played music and subdued lights, music and lights being magnified as the players come into the audience's lino of vision. Simultaneously the organ console will bo elevated, coming nto position for solo playing. A double operating box will enable films to be projected in the theatre or tearooms at will. Name Not Yet Decided Upon. The interior of the theatre is to be modelled on the Indian style and furnished with Indian rugs and furniture, with lettering, forming the word "happiness," inscribed on the foyer walls in Sanskrit characters. The exterior of the theatre will follow Spanish architectural lines on a magnificent scale. A name has not yet been chosen for the theatre, as it is proposed to hold a competition in which the public will be invited to offer suggestions for a first prize of £IOO and a second of £SO. When tho conditions are announced it will probably be found that all names must have a Spanish significance. A large number of shops will be provided and several rooms leading from the tearooms will be let to firms ministering particularly to the needs of women, so that lady patrons of the tearooms will find beauty parlours, hairdressers and millinery establishments conveniently at their service.