New Zealand journalist and independent documentary film maker, Wayne Brittenden, visited Stratford's King Theatre recently to check out the historical site that his father once managed.
Wayne is a former National Radio correspondent in Tokyo and later worked for the BBC.He now works as an independent documentary maker, based in London.
Wayne is also an accomplished author, after writing The Celluloid Circus: The Heyday of the New Zealand Picture Theatre 1925 - 1970, which features not only the TET Kings theatre but the former second picture theatre in Stratford.
Not only did Wayne's father manage the TET Kings Theatre in the early 1940's, but Wayne has also been in contact with New Zealand's 'most experienced' usherette Gwelfa Lett for years so it was nice to finally meet..
Wayne was "blown away" by how much of the original design of the theatre was intact, "if this was in the UK it would be considered 'London Pro' as it is so close to the original form."
Wayne adds that he is in awe of the work that Barry Milner and Gwelfa have put into keeping the "magic of the place alive."
"People all over the world have been so careless with the most beautiful of theatres, it's so nice to see one standing in all it's glory still."