Three years of the silver screen for historic movie theatre

JULIA WADE

Taking in the flicks is still a favourite pastime for many, especially with a local boutique theatre just an easy drive away where a ticket also helps to support a slice of Mangawhai history.

In its third year running, Mangawhai Historic Village Movie Theatre continues to offer a broad range of comedies, mysteries, dramas and action movies, as well as screenings of documentaries in support of community initiatives and movements such as Sand Wars for the sandmining protests, and Sustainable Kaipara’s upcoming One Ocean series. The three-monthly dress-up theme nights have proved to be very popular, theatre manager and operator John Phillis says.

“We’ve had classic films like Casablanca, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Bonnie & Clyde and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, which have been very well attended,” he says. However, we are now in our winter showing times, so from July to October, till daylight savings, we are now showing movies only at 4pm on Saturdays. Unfortunately, due to sporadic attendance, children’s movies have had to be put on hold for the time being.”

Mangawhai Theatre is a sub-group of Mangawhai Historic Village Trust, a non-profit organisation, and all ticket proceeds go towards the maintenance and restoration of the historic buildings. Due to the theatre’s handy location next to the museum, the theatre, which is in an old Anglican church, is also an ideal place for events like weddings and special functions.

“The Trust is pleased to inform the community that toilet facilities will be going ahead behind the library, thanks to Kaipara council, which will make coming to the movies that bit more enjoyable instead of having to use the blue portable loo,” Phillis says, who is also a trustee. “We’re also illuminating the village square around the theatre with additional lighting which will encourage patrons to use the walk ramps at night. We’re all really delighted that the movies are being appreciated, it’s been going pretty well.”

For Mangawhai Movies film screening times, check out the classified pages of the Mangawhai Focus or visit the theatre Facebook page.

Mangawhai Movie Theatre, formerly an Anglican church, is set at the top of the Historic Village, and offers a range of big screen entertainment. PHOTO/JULIA WADE