Still Jaffas by a squillion miles

Te Ahu Cinema manager Kaitaia's Te Ahu cinema might have the latest technology in terms of its projection system, but some things haven't changed since half a century ago when folk queued up at the Princess Theatre, bought tickets for upstairs if they were flush with money (or had a hot date) and headed for the Nibble Nook at half time.

One constant is the Far North's taste in confectionery, according to Te Ahu manager Mark Osborne. The biggest-selling confectionary, he said earlier this week, was Jaffas, "by a squillion miles". (Jaffas were perhaps favoured by some in the old days because, if a packet was upended from the back seats downstairs, they would roll noisily all the way to the front. The late lamented Snifter was just as effective.)

That observation was inspired by the fact the cinema had celebrated its first birthday a couple of Sundays earlier, providing the opportunity to look back on what had been learned over the first 12 months and to look at what might be coming in the future.

One recent innovation is the screening of arthouse films on Friday nights, at 5.30pm. The first (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) screened last week and did extremely well; it will continue screening on Fridays for a month or so, and if the idea is popular more such movies are likely to follow.

"The cinema can seat 98 people comfortably, and that first screening saw an audience of 87," Mr Osborne said.

"That's one idea that came from people who approached what might be done, and if support continues we will keep showing this type of film.

"We're looking forward to seeing what this may open up in the future," he said.

Patrons have always been welcome to suggest specific films they would like to see screened, perhaps as part of a function, and the suggestion box is still in the foyer.Successful

Meanwhile the mixing of cinema and live performance had been as successful as Mr Osborne had confidently expected it would be.

"It's been going great. It's a multi-functional venue, where we have cinema screenings and the theatre has been used for various events. The CAS has held numerous performances there, as well as conferences," he said. The Bay of Islands singers would be performing there in the near future.

Not surprisingly the cinema was most popular over school holidays, when the weather was foul or a top movie was being screened.

"When you get all three of those elements together you have a full house. We have had a number of times when we have had to turn people away," he added.Big change

Along with arthouse films, another big change over the past year, again thanks to public demand, was the selling of popcorn.

"It's one of those things people love, and the staff hate," Mr Osborne said.

"You go in there after a full house and the popcorn is the worst thing to try to vacuum."

A "proper" hot popcorn machine was on the wish list, but finding the $5000-odd to buy one was another story.

And some first year stats: total patrons 21,161. Films screened: 65. Most popular films: Kung Fu Panda 2, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Hunger Games. (Ice Age 4 is currently doing well). Biggest-selling confectionery: Jaffas. Biggest-selling drink: Coca Cola. Biggest-selling ice cream: Choc Bar. Biggest-selling snack: plain potato chips.

"The first year was always going to be a 'feeling our way' year, finding out what the community wanted," Mr Osborne added.

"We feel that we have a good idea of what our community is looking for, and the suggestion box is always at the kiosk so people can tell us what they want."

Movies are advertised in The Northland Age every Thursday. Alternatively, phone the cinema on 408-0519, go to www.teahu.org.nz/cinema, email cinema@teahu.org.nz or pick up a flyer at Te Ahu.

The cinema employs a staff of between four and six, depending on the time of year, and a number of eager volunteers.

Mr Osborne said he was always keen to hear from people who might be interested in volunteering at Te Ahu in any of a wide range of capacities.