NEW THEATRE OPENED IN TE AWAMUTU.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1352, 23 March 1916, Page 37

NEW THEATRE OPENED IN TE AWAMUTU.

With the opening of the new Empire Theatre, the town of Te Awamutu is now possessed of a theatre which for picture, concert >.nd dramatic purposes is not surpassed in towns of its size throughout the Dominion as far as the completeness of the appointments are concerned. The new theatre is admirably designed and most artistically carried

out as to the decorative scheme, with every modern convenience and improvement in construction, lighting and ventilation. Mr. J. A. Young, M.P., and Mr. H. Y. Collins, chairman of the company, officially opened the building on Wednesday last, after which a performance of “The Geisha” was given by the Hamilton Operatic Society, in which some 60 members took part. The building is a very imposing and substantial structure of concrete, and has a frontage to Sloane Street of 35 feet and an extreme depth of 120 feet, the theatre itself measuring 100 feet by 35 feet, and will comfortably seat 374 people downstairs, while in the gallery another 163 can be accommodated. The proscenium is 20 feet by 16 feet, and the floor space of the stage is 34 feet by 20 feet. Underneath the stage are dressing rooms,

etc. The seating accommodation has been designed for comfort, and consists of the latest design of chairs, which are on the tip-up principle, with spring seats and upholstered backs for downstairs, and spring seats with oak panel backs for the dress circle. The lighting and power plant is entirely of British manufacture. and provides complete lighting of the building. The power is derived from a Hornsby petrol engine, developing 111 b.h.p., and to ensure a steadv power free from flickering in the lighting the engine carries an extra fly wheel. It drives on to a British Westinghouse 111 k.w. generator. which provides ample lighting: for the premises and for the bioerranh machine. The stage lighting' is on the most modern principle, and consists of headlights and footlights, all of which are furnished with powerful reflectors to concentrate the stage lighting. The different series are each under senarate control, thus enabling full lighting effect as may be required. The builders were Messrs. Mclnnes and Go.. Te Awamntu: seating. Messrs. Clark and McMillen. Te Awamutu: decorating. Mr. F. Chum: lighting. Messrs. Williams and Co.. Auckland: and scenery, Mr. H. Garratt. Auckland.