Heather Hart stands in what will become the new Bridgeway movie theatre in Northcote Pt. Herald Picture / Kenny Rodger

         Landmark theatre rises again

                                         

                                                                - By WAYNE THOMPSON

A year of silence and emptiness will end for the Bridgeway Theatre in Northcote in November when it starts a new life as a twin art-house movie theatre complex.

Former regulars will barely recognise the theatre, which was built in 1927 and once served as a dance hall and bus garage.

Vivid, unobstructed viewing and luxurious seating are promised by Auckland film industry stalwarts Heather and John Hart, who are behind the $1.25 million redevelopment.

They have ordered the latest projection equipment and are installing a wall-to-wall curved screen.

Mrs Hart, who will manage the theatre, plans to recapture the old excitement when a screening started with an overture and the curtain rising.

Mr Hart said the building had to be gutted, its flat floor ripped up and seats thrown out.

The new floor will slope, so patrons' views will not be blocked by taller people in front.

The Harts will also rid the place of the Bridgeway Curse - ill-fitting chairs.

Wide armchair seats will replace ones which came from the former Customhouse Theatre in Auckland, and were designed for a sloping floor.

Attempts to adapt them to the Bridgeway's flat floor resulted in patrons either slipping out of their seats or, if they were short, not being able to rest their feet on the floor.

For all its signs of old age, such as broken seats and threadbare carpet, people loved the Bridgeway, said Mr Hart.

When the theatre's previous management ceased business a year ago, Mrs Hart, who ran Takapuna's Berkeley Cinema for six years, was keen to revive the North Shore institution.

The Bridgeway will reopen in late November or early December as a 200-seat theatre.

A 100-seat cinema will be built next door.

The Harts, champions of non-mainstream films and who have run the Academy in central Auckland since 1982, say Bridgeway fare will suit a wide range of tastes.

Their Bridgeway venture is shared by Rialto Group and major Australian cinema operator Dendy.

The official opening will raise money for the North Shore Hospice and feature the New Zealand premiere of a yet-to-be-selected film.