LONDON PREPARES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 102, 1 May 1937, Page 19

LONDON PREPARES

CORONATION EXCITEMENT

' London^s leading "West End hotels and amusement places are preparing elaborate plans for their decorations and for the entertainment of their guests during, May, states a London paper. ' ;

Among many well-known artists who have arranged to be in London at the time will be Mme. Lys Gauty and Mme. Hildegardej singing at the Ritz Hotel; the de Marcos, dancing at Grosverior House; and Harry Richmond, who flew the Atlantic with Merrivale, crooning at the Cafe de Paris.

The Ritz is arranging to have flowers all round its outside walls up to the first floor, and above that flags, bunting, and streamers. Each column will be floodlit.

Everywhere the predominating , colour scheme will be red,' white, . and blue. It is planned to floodlight the entire exterior of the London Casino in these three colours.

One of, the most striking schemes is that prepared for Grosvenor House, in Park Lane. Outside a gigantic golden sun will conceal most of the facade, with G and E in gold on each side. In the. long rays of the sun will be unfurled 40ft flags of all the Dominions and colonies. ■■

The ballroom inside, will represent a golden palace, with a tent-like roof of golden strands. Hundreds of balloons will fill the air, and round the pillars will be the flags of the Empire. The Dorchester will be covered with flowers, flags, and festoons of the three Coronation colours., ■

The Carlton, Berkeley, Mayfair, and Savoy Hotels are all preparing their own decoration schemes, and expect to engage a number of well-known artists for their cabarets. ■•■..■

■ London catering staffs will be working for 24 hours without a break to provide food end drink for the crowds on Coronation Day. An official of A. J. Carpenter (London), Ltd.,. caterers to the House of Lords, said that waiters would arrive there at 4 a.m.

"We shall start the day," he.said, "by serving breakfast to 400 Gold Staff Officers at 5.30. At 1.45 there will be buffet luncheons for 1200 peers and peeresses and for minor royalties and Indian princes."