Page 15 - CR

he New Empire De Luxe – 1928
TArchitect: Edmund Anscombe
(Dunedin)
Builder: William McLellan Ltd
Plasterer: Wardrop Fibrous Plaster Ltd.
Muralist: John Brock
Opened: September 1928.
The theatre cost in excess of
100,000 pounds ($300,000) at the time.
A large amount of excavation was
required at the site. Poured concrete
formed the high walls. Bricks were also
extensively used.
A large riveted wrought iron beam
was used to support the cavernous New Dress-Circle foyer.
balcony. The gabled roofline is now
T-shaped, incorporating the old and The main feature of the new The circle foyer featured a coved
new theatres. auditorium was the proscenium which ceiling of backlit grill work. Alcoves,
The original entrance from Princes comprised of three elongated and twisted columns and potted palms were
St was renovated and led to a new scalloped arches, supported on twisted used extensively. A large semi-circular
grand central staircase to the upper columns. This was flanked by vertical open well overlooked the stalls foyer.
foyer. Access to the stalls foyer was to grills which housed the organ pipes. This foyer area was largely part of the
the left and right of the staircase. There were several minarets and towers original 1916 theatre.
on top of the proscenium.

Below: Empire Birthday Party with Staff on Stage.

CINEMARECORD 2010 15