Survey ideas put to work at cinema

More Art House movies and fundraising gala events are on the cards for the Mayfair Theatre.

Respondents in a recent survey cited these as positive aspects of the current running of the cinema.

Of those who took part in the survey, the majority were between the ages of 31 and 65, with the teenage age group coming in second.

Staff at the Mayfair are keen to see more people through the doors so they will be taking on board suggestions and requests in an attempt to to increase its popularity.

Comedy was the number one genre of movie for most, with drama and action following close behind.

These movies are therefore likely to be shown on the three most popular nights of the week, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a possible theme night such as Art House including dinner on a Thursday.

More regularity should ensure that movie-goers are always aware of what they are going to get and when to attend the theatre.

Other ideas which have been listened to include making sure there is fresh popcorn available for each showing, which was considered important by a number of people, and ensuring the start time of 7.30pm remains consistent so people are always aware of when a movie will be playing.

New initiatives include the introduction of a star card at $100 per year, entitling the holder to attend as many movies as they like throughout the year, and establishing a corporate box for businesses to send their staff for a night out.

The theatre will be available for hire by private arrangement as it has been in the past, and will continue to screen environmental and documentary-style movies which have also proved popular.

Many of those who responded to the survey felt that the Mayfair was a real asset to Kaikoura, with current movies being shown and great work put in by the committee to ensure it remains a warm and comfortable place to go for social occasions.

One of the criticisms of the theatre which arose from the survey was that movies often stop or break down part way through a showing.

However, the theatre now has a fully operational DVD projector which should ensure an end to this problem.

But reels will continue to be used for certain events to satisfy the traditional movie enthusiasts.

As for finding out what was showing, almost all said they checked the Kaikoura Star for details, and the board outside the theatre was also very popular.

Committee member Barbara Woods said she was grateful to all those businesses around town, too many to mention, which also advertised the showings, including local shops and radio and school newsletters.

She said the ideas raised in the survey would definitely be considered and acted upon and she hoped this would ensure the theatre would grow in popularity once more and remain an asset in Kaikoura for years to come.

- © Fairfax NZ News