State Cinema gets state-of-the-art treatment

PATRICK HAMILTON/Fairfax NZ

REFURBISHMENT UNDERWAY: Director Mark Christensen checks the construction progress in theatre one of the State Cinema.

A half a million dollar refurbishment at Nelson's State Cinema is under way to provide cutting-edge technology with a touch of luxury comfort.

Cinema director Mark Christensen said cinema one was currently closed as Fitzgerald Construction stripped the theatre back to its shell. It reassembled a construction site, but work was under way to transform the area by November 29 when it would be finished for a screening of the latest James Bond movie, Skyfall.

The revamped theatre was being fitted with stadium seating to improve viewing lines to the screen, a bigger screen which would take up the entire back wall, improved sound and speakers and luxurious seating with more leg room.

The technology being installed was state-of-the-art, with the highest screen definition available in the world. It is used by only 11 other theatres in New Zealand so far. "The new auditorium is going to blow viewers away," said Mr Christensen. "I expect the facility performance will outperform most other auditoriums in the country. We try to keep ahead of everyone else."

It was the first stage of a refurbishment that would take place at the complex over the next two-years, he said. "We are one of the big independent cinemas in the country and we are spending a lot of money on this refurbishment to provide a quality experience with the latest technology. People have higher expectations these days."

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