BEST IN NEW ZEALAND

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15033, 2 September 1922, Page 6

BEST IN NEW ZEALAND

HAMILTON THEATRE ROYAL. WHAT A PRODUCER THINKS, TO-NIGHT’S RE-OPENING. . AVriting in th e Australian journal, “The Theatre,” Mr Victor Musgrove, the well-known producer, mentions in the course of a talk on his most recent tour of New Zealand, that the. best theatre in the Dominion is at an inland town called Hamilton. Mr Musgrove referred, of course, to the Theatre Royal, here, which, by the way, he only saw in the course of renovation, and not as it is now, with the interior completely transformed. Mr Musgrove was quite right in'- his assertion, for there is no theatre in I New Zealand that can compare with the Royal for size, beauty and convenience combined. Capable of seating over 1000 people, the is clean and excellently ventilated by a system that- avoids draughts, the stage is capacious, and the dressing rooms are a veritable palace compared with those of most places, and for, this reason, if for no other, - visiting artists always have a good word to say about Hamilton. The design of the building, both externally and internally, Is distinctive and good. In fact, we know of none where such earnest work lias been put into the. conception and execution, but although everybody who entered the building admired it, there was yet something lacking in the general atmosphere of the place, which detracted from that comfort wjiich one should experience in sitting in congenial surroundings. The management of the theatre theirv selves recognised this long ago. Handsome though the design was, there was a chilliness about the interior that somehow required the infusion of warmth. To get the right man to build up the temperature with colour, and at the same time to make an artistic job of it, avoiding - the garish, was, of course, the problem that worried the management most. There was only one man, known by thfc manager, who was capable of carrying out the transformation scheme with certainty of success, and that' was George Coulter, of Australia, but the trouble was to get ,him, and that they succeeded in this was probably due more to personal favour to Mr Barrie Marschal than to monetary inducement. Anyhow, Mr Coulter came over from Sydney, with his first lieutenant, Mr A. Butler, and a special siaff, and ail who have visited the theatre since these men finished their task will freely admit that the transformaUon is complete. The artist wasted no time. He cast his eye around' on the day he arrived here, and seeing'' immediately what was required, set to' work at once to accomplish it. The rapidity with which he worked was remarkable, and the theatre entrance was constantly blocked with an. admiring crowd to watch him literally wipe on the walls a succession of pretty mountain and lake-land scenes, and produce on the roof, almost as if by magic, garlands of flowers and decorative, borders. Where the artist shines , out in the man is. his knowledge of just when to stop, and his ability to build up his scheme into a harmonious whole, with everything in balance, and with nothing clashing. The decoration is carried out in chromes and golden browns, here and there with touches of more vivid hue. The walls of the theatre proper are so panelled as to give the appearance of windows, through which the rich warm afterglow of a setting sun is seen suffusing the sky above the top of a distant forest, while an occasional bird flutters around the window sashes, abo.Ut which clustered chrysanthemums droop. The proscenium is also a masterpiece of skill and good taste. The white expanse that formerly existed has been broken by an imitation moulding, which gives a concave and convex effect, although it is perfectly on the flat, while the cornices and prominences everywhere around are picked out in old gold and bronze, which blend beautifully with the creams and browns which form the basis of the scheme. Supporting the upper walls and windows is a deep skirting of what looks like panelled cak, but which is really only on optical illusion produced again by cunning craftsmanship. The scheme is completed by a beautiful drop scene, carried out in blending with the general outlook. The whole effect, while subdued, is crisp and clean, and with the of lights, which number 200 when all th 0 switches are pulled' over, the theatre becomes a veritable paradise. The whole atmosphere.of the place has been changed, and the cold and somewhat austere atmosphere has been changed mto one of warmth and congeniality. The management is to be congraßU-jtcd on the improvement, which was badly needed, To-night the whole of the lights will be 'switched on for what will really be a rc-opcning of The transformed theatre. A special programme 'is being presented, and a packed house is expected.