THEATRICAL ENTERPRISE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18510, 22 March 1922, Page 6

THEATRICAL ENTERPRISE

WARD-FULLER VENTURE. INTERVIEW WITH MR HUGH WARD. (Fbou Odk Own Cobkespondbnt.) AUCKLAND, March 21. Some interesting particulars regarding th© new theatrical organisation which, has just been formed in Australia - were supplied by Mr Hugh J, Ward, one of the principals, who recently resigned from the directorship of J. O. Williamson (Ltd.), and who is a through passenger by the Makura for Vancouver. He stated that the firm was to be known as the Hugh Ward Theatres (Ltd.), and that it had been formed for the purpose of producing high-class attractions, ranging from farce to grand opera. There were three members of the firm — viz.: Sir Benjamin Fuller ’ and Mr John Fuller and himself. The two former would continue to devote their chief attention to their large vaudeville interests, while Mr Ward, as managing director, would give all his time to the enterprise bearing his name, his partners from time to time giving him assistance in the direction of business advice. Mr Ward made it clear that the Fuller firm and the new one would b e completely separate entities, with himself as clioirman of directors of the latter. “We have taken over the Princess and Palace Theatres in Melbourne,” ho continued, “and intend to spend at least £30,000 in redecorating and beautifying them, a little architectural reconstruction being necessary. In Sydney we take over the Grand Opera House, where we will play spectacular pieces, such as pantomimes, etc. We also intend to build in that city two of the finest theatres in Australia, and a site for one of them has already been secured. Fullers have also placed at the disposal of the new firm two theatres in Western Australia, one in Brisbane, and two in Adelaide, and have given it a call on any of their theatres in New Zealand for the presentation of attractions. We shall thus be thoroughly independent of any other theatrical combination owning theatres where first-class attractions are offered.” Mr AVard said he was leaving for America and England by the Makura to obtain plays for production in Australia and New Zealand, and to secure artists. The firm had under consideration the building of a now theatre in Auckland, said Mr Ward, and a site had been suggested.