The big picture: Raetihi to bring back cinema in century-old theatre building

Raetihi’s beloved Royal Theatre will soon host its first film screening in more than 40 years.

It is a satisfying milestone for the trust established to care for the theatre, which first opened as a cinema in 1915.

The century-old building has been undergoing repairs and repainting in preparation for the premiere screening of a documentary film by riverboat enthusiast Graeme Moffatt.

Theatre Royal Waimarino Charitable Trust chairman Gary GriffinChappel said the inaugural screening of Paddlewheels on the Wanganui was very appropriate as Moffatt had played an essential role in reopening the theatre as a cinema.

“I searched for information on operating a cinema and was lucky to find Graeme, who had just completed the task of restoring Dannevirke’s Regent Cinema to an operational status after it had been closed for 10 years.

“I asked if he would be willing to provide guidance and support with our journey to return the golden years of the movies to the region, and he was.”

Moffatt successfully searched out a suitable second-hand surround sound system and projector that have been purchased and installed.

“A Raetihi farmer donated seasoned logs, and these were milled at the local sawmill,” Griffin-Chappel said.

“They provided sufficient timber to construct a frame to support a stretched fabric screen, which has now successfully been completed.”

Griffin-Chappel said the trust planned to continue hosting live shows and events at the theatre, but the return of cinema was a strong focus for the trust.