Page 30 - CR

city pictures at suburban prices

Capitol
The

Theatre

miramar

By David Lascelles.

S uburban Wellington (New It was not long before Miramar

Zealand) in the first two
residents, envious of Kilbirnie's new
decades of the Twentieth Century picture-theatre were demanding one
was growing rapidly, none more so of their own. A local businessman
than the Eastern suburb of Miramar. agreed and in July 1928 applied to the
Wellington City Council for a building
For entertainment, especially moving permit to construct a new modern theatre.
pictures - they were not well served. Work started within months from plans
Between 1907 and 1909 the Electric The former Town Hall. by architect William Feilding.
Motorscope Pictures, a travelling
picture show company toured showing Later that year Thompson and Voyce The building was a handsome solid brick
films. There were also a couple of signed a contract with Paramount Film and concrete structure with an iron roof
entrepreneurs who sometimes serviced Services and the council to raise the hall and capable of seating 800 people on
the area. by three feet and purchase some eighty two levels. The frontage measured 63
extra chairs. feet, depth 160 feet and the auditorium
Towards the end of the second decade some 4320 square feet. The entrance
films were being screened in the By 1924 the place was commonly was in beautiful mosaic with native and
Community Hall, this continued referred to as New Miramar Pictures imported timbers gracing the building,
successfully until 1922 when residents and in August 1925 new management the exterior doors made of Queensland
complained of being denied use of the came in, increasing screenings with maple and the interior doors of rimu,
hall for movies. a regular weekly change. (Screenings while all flooring was jarrah.
would cease with the opening of a new
Towards the end of 1919 movies were purpose built theatre). There was ample space within to
being screened twice a week in the ensure cool comfort during the summer
council owned hall (later the Miramar On 11 July 1928 J.C. Williamson Films months, while during the winter season
Town Hall) by Thompson and Voyce. (N.Z.) Ltd opened their luxury theatre in specially installed heating units warmed
In 1922 this suddenly ceased and film Kilbirnie, Miramar's neighbour. This 1200 the building throughout.
supply became spasmodic and the hall seat house named The Kinema more than
needed alterations. equalled many of its city counterparts. Dressing rooms were built either side
of the stage for theatrical performances
preceding the film programme or at
interval. The actual stage area was
large enough, allowing for conversion
to live theatre if desired. Projectors
were Ernemann 11’s (Type E) with
low intensity arcs. The entire theatre
was built to conform with modern
requirements of the time and designed
to give maximum comfort.

Named the Capitol it was owned and
financed at a cost of £8,000 by Miramar
businessman and resident Sidney
The Kinema Theatre at Kilbirnie shortly after closure. September 1967. Morrison. Its catch line "City Pictures
at Suburban Prices".

30 2012 CINEMAREC ORD