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Auditorium in 1982.

The Regent Theatre Orchestra accompanied
silent films, and each evening as the overture
was played a symphony of lights played on
the stage curtains. The colour effects obtained
by the blending of lights always amazed the
audience. The orchestra also played for the
Regent Christmas Pantomime which was
presented on stage at the theatre. Short lived
as it was, only three names of orchestra
members have been recorded: George
Holloway (piano), J. Dempsey (cello), and
W. Shardlow (drummer and sound effects).

It was a theatre to behold; people came from
surrounding areas and other districts as it
really was the 'Regent Beautiful’. The theatre
employed 10 usherettes besides doorkeepers
and projectionist. Mr L.B. Burbush was
a doorman when the theatre opened and
continued to occupy this position until he Regent staff in 1943.
retired some 40 years later.

Nearly four months after opening, the Regent Colour film came to the theatre for the first In 1930 the four small shareholders sold their
changed to sound on 13 July 1929 with The time on 18 September 1929 with the feature interest to J.C. Williamson Films. The same
Bellamy Trial from MGM. This was sound on film was Redskins starring Richard Dix. This year the company went into receivership
disc and the Western Electric sound system black and white film was only really “part and was managed by the receivers until
cost £3,000 (pounds) to install. Williamson's colour" using “two-colour” Technicolor but 1932 when all assets were transferred to a
used this film to introduce sound in all their was an amazing attraction. new company the J.C. Williamson Picture
theatres prior to 1930. Corporation (NZ) Ltd.

CINEM AREC ORD 2012 33