A NEW TURN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20317, 27 January 1928, Page 10

A NEW TURN.

SIR BENJAMIN AT FULLERS. PLANS FOR NEW THEATRE. Probably one of the most interesting “ turns ” at the Princess Theatre last night was one that was not advertised. It was the appearance on the stage of Sir Benjamin Fuller, not in a comic song or a vaudeville item, but merely in a brief talk to the audience. “ Nu doubt many of you will remember me,” he said to his hearers. “Old Ben Fuller. That’s me.” The applause that followed his simple introduction was proof that a good many did remember him, and “ old Ben Fuller ” smiled appreciatively. Sir Benjamin went on to say that he had come on the stage to announce his decision to re-prect a new Princess Theatre on the present site. He promised the public “ lovely seats and all up-to-date conveniences, so that the people of Dunedin would have something to be proud of.” There would also be a number of new rooms for the artists. “ When it is built,” he added, " I invite you all to come—at the usual price of admission.— (Laughter.) Sir Benjamin stated also that George Wallace, whom he considered the finest comedian in Australia to-day, would be coming to the Princess Theatre in a fortnight’s time. “He is original,” he said, “ and he writes most of his own comedy. Why, I can laugh at him myself, and I’m a pretty hard shell.” During the reconstruction of the Princess Theatre revue companies will occasionally be sent to His Majesty’s Theatre. Sir Benjamin and Lady Fuller and the Misses Fuller will leave for the Lakes district this morning. On Monday they will* join the Melbourne boat at Bluff. In six weeks’ time Sir Benjamin will return to Dunedin for the opening of tenders for the reconstruction of the Princess Theatre.