Embedded Files
The newly-constructed Kilbirnie Theatre ca 1930. Image from Turnbull Library, ref EP-2777-1/2-G.
The Kilbirnie Kinema opened on 11 July 1928 with a movie starring Clara Bow. The Evening Post reported that it was an up-to-date and complete theatre, "lavishly furnished" with steam heating and quality seating, offering splendid entertainment unprecedented in any suburban theatre in New Zealand. The frontage had elaborate stained glass windows. Music was to be provided by the Kilbirnie Symphony Orchestra. An undated note held at WCC Archives says the theatre had 354 seats in the dress circle and 704 in the stalls, a total of 1058 seats.
On 2 April 1931 there was a storm in Wellington, and about 30 sheets of roofing iron were torn off the Kinema's roof. The show carried on but next day there was some water damage from seeping rain.
Sources: Evening Post, 5 July, 7 July, 12 July 1928. WCC Archives 00544-8, New Zealand Herald, 4 Apr 1931
1978 photo by Charles J Fearnley, showing the former theatre now converted to the Shoprite Supermarket. Wellington City Libraries, ref: 50003-555. See larger image at Wellington Recollect.
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