Heart beats anew in 'darling little theatre'

WAYNE THOMPSON stops short of popcorn but gets a handle on all the other additions bringing life back to the once-derelict Bridgeway Theatre.


A "darling little theatre" is how Heather and John Hart describe the Bridgeway in Northcote, a one-time bus barn, dance hall and abandoned cinema.

It was a derelict shambles when the couple entered the 73-year-old building a year ago. But they saw only their dream: a theatre of warmth and charm where people could watch non-mainstream films in comfort.

A $1.25 million refurbishment project later, the dream has come true.

Tomorrow, the Bridgeway reopens with two theatres - one of 200 seats, the other of 100 seats. It has been designed to keep alive the excitement of going to the movies for another generation - or two.

Former patrons, who remember the former threadbare carpet and broken seats, are in for pleasant surprise.

The building was gutted, its floor ripped up and seats thrown out. "I have never sat in a theatre like it," said Mr Hart, who has been in the film industry for 45 years.

Ray Bullen, who has been around cinemas nearly as long, installed the new projection system. "I get a feeling it will be a nice, cosy little theatre," he said.

Its design follows the art deco style inside and out.

A curved staircase leads from the cafe/foyer to a theatre where the screen and ceiling are also curved.

The ceiling is now painted deep blue with wispy clouds and is supported on red mock marble columns set into green walls. The carpet is purple.

The seats are red and in an armchair style. Mr Hart is proud of their generous 580mm width, lumbar support and fat armrests.

They cost $300 each before covering and could severely test a weary patron's resolve not to nod off.

Big gaps between the aisles mean people can pass without seated patrons having to swing their legs or stand.

The floor is now on a steep slope like a stadium, so patrons' views will not be blocked by taller people in front.

A wall-to-wall screen and the Perlux state-of-the-art German projection equipment promise to deliver a crisp, clear picture.

Mr Bullen has fine-tuned the lenses to enable the maximum area of film to reach the 11.2m wide screen.

He has chosen a Dolby digital sound system that will reach all ears.

The Harts started and have run the Academy arthouse cinema in mid-town Auckland since 1982.

Mrs Hart, who is Bridgeway's manager, said she was keen to revive an old institution for the North Shore.

It was a trend-setter some years ago, under operator Colin Greenslade, when free coffee was offered at morning sessions.

The Harts aim to recapture movie buffs from across the Harbour Bridge, who found the theatre easy to drive to and get parking.

First on the new screen tomorrow will be the Australian film 15 Amore, which was a hit at last year's Auckland Film Festival.

An introduction will be given in person by the film's writer and director, Maurice Murphy.

The Harts' Bridgeway venture is shared by Rialto Group and Australian cinema operator Dendy.

A special theatre preview was held last night to raise funds for the North Shore Hospice.