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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Theatre Royal
Theatre Royal (Rimmer and Craven, proprietors) Pohangina and Feilding Roads, Ashurst. Ashurst possesses a theatre and concert hall of which many a larger town might well be proud. It is thirty-three feet wide, by a depth of sixty feet, exclusive of the stage, which adds other nineteen feet to the length, and two fine dressing rooms, still further in the rear. The whole length of the building is 110 feet. It was built in 1893 by the proprietors, Messrs. Rimmer and Craven, the well-known builders and ironmongers, and it forms a part of their premises, the entrance being between their shop windows. It is all on the ground floor, well built, and well ventilated. It will comfortably accommodate 400, leaving a passage of some seven feet down the middle. The stage is well appointed, all the scenery being painted by that well-known artist, Mr. Thornton. The drop scene is after the manner of that in the Wellington Opera House, being covered with well painted advertisements of the business men of Ashurst, Palmerston North, Feilding, etc. The acoustic properties of the building are excellent, and it is in every way creditable to the town The very reasonable charge of one pound per night includes lighting, and the use of a very good piano. There is an orchestra of three instruments, led by Mr. Rimmer himself, whose services may be obtained for a concert or for theatrical purposes at the rate of ten shilling each for three performers. For a ball or other long night, double this charge is [gap — reason: illegible]