EVERYBODY'S THEATRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16538, 11 November 1915, Page 2

EVERYBODY'S THEATRE

OPENING THIS EVENING. Another attraction in amusements will bo set in motion this evening, when tho superb picture paHace in Princes street, situated on the eito of the old Exchange, Court, will be opened to the public with a strong programme. Occupying a prominent place in the public vie4v, and being admirably adapted for a placo of entertainment, it is safe to say the new theatro ■will, soon claim it<3 quota of the pictureloving section of the community. No expense has been spared to make the building comfortable. . upstairs and downstairs, and a wide exit has boon provided into Rattray street,, which enables the hall to bo cleared in a very few minutes. Last night, when thei premises were inspected by the directors and a number of friends, many complimentary remarks were passed concorning all the arrangements.

Tho building it} spacious, tho area covered by the ground floor being 100 ft by 33ft. On the ground floor are 500 leather upholstered seats, and upstairs 350, and a feature of the place is that, as there are no pillars, cvoiv patron may obtain an uninterrupted' view of the screen. The ceiling is of fibrous plaster, beautifully designed in three bays and domed. The vestibule at tho entrance i 6 roomy, and a wide staircase with thickly-carpeted steps, leads upstairs. On what is known as the intermediate or mezzanine floor are the manager's room, store rooms, and Ladies' cloak rooma The building is neatly and solidly finished throughout in picked Oregon. Special care has been taken with the ventilation, fresh air being circulated bv moans of a network of tubea let in the walls. There are ample fire escapes of steel. Tho new theatre reflects credit upon' the architect (Mr E. Wa.lden) and the contractor (Mr W. M'Lellan). Messrs J. J. Mar low (who is responsible for the seating), Messrs A. and T. Burt (lighting and plumbing), Messrs R. S. Wardrop and Co. (decorations), Mr S. Aiken (painting), and Messrs Sooullax and Ohioholm (furnishings) al9o deserve a _ word of praise for their share in the fitting up. The lantern apparatus forms an important part of a moving-picture show, and in this respect the management _ of Everybody's has left nothing to be desired. A selection of films was run through tho machine, which worked well, all tho views being excellently presented. Tho management intends to adopt a policy of frequent changes of programme, and no effort will be wanting to place a high-class entertainment before patrons. Everybody's will be a continuous exhibition, opening at noon daily. Mr Roderick M'Callum, who has been appointed manager, wm a former resident of Dunedin. For the past nine years he has been managing picture theatres in Sydney and Brisbane.

Subsequent to the screening of the films the visitors were entertained at a light supper, when a number of toasts were honoured.