A THEATRE DESIGNER.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1192, 29 July 1911, Page 13

A THEATRE DESIGNER.

■ * A "LINE OF VISION" EXPERT. MB. H. E. WHITE ON THEATEEUUILBINO. "No, the tlioatros of other places have not helped mo much. I have (ho plans of most of the theatres of noto in the world, but as they are built for special conditions they do not afford mo much of a '{,'UiclG in tho designing of a theatre." Tho speaker was .Mr. Henry E. White, the designer and builder of the new His Majesty's Theatre, to bo erected in Courtenay Place for Messrs. Fuller and Sons, and who is to design and build tho new Theatre Koynl, Wellington, next year foi the same firm. Mr. White also built the new King's Theatre, Auckland, and redesigned the Opera House in the sumo city, making it ono of the finest theatres in iS'eiv Zealand. In addition iH ;,. lleaT y work which avrr.its him in Wellington, Mr. White is building a new theatre for Mr. Win. Gunn, at Timaru, and has designed a new theatre for Mr. W. Parker, at Ulenheim. ~ 4, P ol . ll ' which always struck me forcibly. said Mr. White, "is: 'Why should people not be able to eeo the whole of tno stago from any seat in the house?' and ■X IS ,"' hat * have tried to achieve, \.ith what success—well, that is not for me to say. I long ago made a habit of smiting about in a theatre when circumstances would permit, selecting tho worst il mi e house and noti "S how much of the stage, both in height as well as breadth, was cut out by structural weaknesses. I work out the Hue of vision to a hne point from the worst place in u°i and find that ;t is Quite possible to havo horse-shoe circles and yet five the oceupaut of every seat a clear view ot the stage. See, here is the Tim i° of Tisi °n' plan." With that he showed tho plan which gave the merest outline of the auditorium and stage with a black dot hero and there-one at tile back of tho pit in the corner, and ono at tho back of the circlo lo the side—and from these trailed •cornetlike vision lines extending to the stage, and drawn both ways to take in the M'eht ""el width of tae stage. With a rule Mr. White demonstrated that a good view of tho stage could bo obtained from every seat in the auditorium without aftccting tho perfect contour of tho circle. Mr. White lias a penchant for private boxes, which tho lay mind would think would increase his line of vision difficulties. Nothing of the kind. Mr White gets over that troublo by departing altogether from the usual forms in the construction of the boxes. Instead of

having the front of the Ijox at right aiigles to the stage he builds it on the same angle as the- curve of the circle, so that really the box opening looks out to the auditorium more than it does to the stage, yet commands a good view of the latter.

'■Another idea which I think is a good ono and which has been adopted for the neiv His Majesty's Theatre, is the staircase connection between the orchestral stalls and dress circle, without going outside the house or round tho Front. Jn most ■ of tho theatres in New Zealand [ho price of the seats in both parts.of tho house is tho same, so that if ono part of the house becomes crowded the public can try the other in a minimum of timo and trouble, and vice versa. Besides, lots of dress circle people have fnends in the stalls and this will give them the luxury of a chat which they cannot very well enjoy now with the two sections of the house shut off from ono another.

THE SEW HIS MAJESTY'S. Tho new His Majesty's Theatro will bo an imposing three-story concrete and steel structure, with an impressive but not overdecorative facade of composite design. The outstanding features are the broad double Windows, arched in the Moorish style, on the hrst floor, and squared on tho 'second floor, witn tho reverse order of window design in the central section. The windows ot tho first floor will be divided by panels on the second eight handsome pillars, surmounted by Florentine capitals. Tho arches of tho top windows of the central section will form reclining places fov two draped i'einalo figures representing music nnd tho drama, and between thorn the muno of the> theatre will bo emblazoned. Two eight-foot drop doors iu the centre will admit to the dress circle, straight ahead will be tho ticket offices, and on either side are broad entrances to an open loungo from which the ladies' and gentlemen's t >ak rooms open on". The circle proper is reached by an easy graded stairway eight feet wide on either side, which leads by broad side entrances to the circle. Hero Mr. M'hite has effected a marked improvement. Usually one has to mount to n level of the top Vow of scats of thr> dress circle, and then descend again to find his seat. The side-entrances are situated two-thirds of the way up the slope of tho circle to obviate, as far as possible, needless step climbing. Tho sides •of the circle will bo flanked with a long corridor ten feet wide (outside the walls of the auditorium), ami there will be five fire exists on each side opening on to this way, which slopes easily down to tho circle stops. The idea of those corridors —which are capable of holding as many people as the dress circle (GoO)-is that in caso of fire tho public could otream out of tho auditorium in a minute or less, and bo in a fireproof enclosure with an easy exit to the street. Another virtue of this idea (and one which has been commended by tho City Engineer) is Hint by this means the people from tho circle will not become jumliled up with those from tho stalls—a most important point in manipulating crowds from a theatre. The continuation of these corridor? will be dressing rooms (six on each sido) for the performing artists, who descend to tho stage by a stairway on each side of the stage. Behind the stage there is plenty of breadth for tho manipulation of scenery and furniture, commodious "flies," and a gridiron of the very latest design. Tho colour scheme of decoration has not been decided unon, but it is not iinprnbablo that it will be turnuoise blue nnd while. The theatre may bo ready for opening at Christmas timo,

The new Tiinaru Theatre Hovnl is now in courro of construction by Mr. R. K. White. It will have a frontage of Gttt. liin. by n depth of 172 ft. The auditorium will be 70ft. in length by Gift., and tho sta.se -lift, by GBft. It will accommodate 1200 people, nil watrd on tip-un scats. I'lie dress circle nnd orchestral stalls feats will be upholstered in Utrecht velvet.

There will bo four boxes, a handsome tableau curtain will lie substituted for the straight drop. A bi<r scene dock, nml ninpln drossiny-room ncroinii'odation will lie provided, to be ready for openin" about the cud of the year.

Los Angeles, also Genius, and the two-year-old Bonitas (Boniform—Curette). Talking to tho writer prior to his departure, O'Donnell spoke hopefully of tho prospects of . Los Anegles, whom . lit thought would strip a ruoro solid horse this spring than ever before. Genius would race in suburban company, and lionitas was being given the trip 'because O'Donnell thought that it would do him good. Ho did not think that tho colt would win a race, but was hopeful that tho trip would be beneficial to him. Regarding tho prospects of selling Los Angeles, the Eiccarton trainer was not very communicative, but it was gathered that the price would have to bo high to make him part with the son of San Francisco. Elfbolt, by Birkenhead, whose solo winning performance in this country was in a maiden race at Waipukurau, when carrying tho colours of tho Hon. J. D. Orrnond, was shipped to Sydney last night. His owner and trainer, G. Dclaney, may mako tho trip at the conclusion of tho "National" meeting. Iney, Wirral, and Sublime wero shipped south last night by the Wimmera, and will take part in the C.J.C. Winter meeting. Killbroney, who (the cable states) has won tho Goodwood Cup, was successful in the Great Metropolitan Handicap at Epsom on April 18. Kildonan, who is to be Mr. E. J. Watt's sole representative at lliccarton, will arrive in Wellington at midday to-day, and will be sent south by tho Mararoa tonight. James Buchanan, who is to ride Iney in tho Winter Cup, was a passenger for tho south by tho Maori last evening. Jockeys John Pino and J. Begbie, who are to share the riding of K. 0 Donuoll's team, left for Sydney by tho Manuka yesterday. On what seems to be the very best authority, it is stated that there is every likelihood of the Karamu stable not being represented at the C.J.C. Winter meeting. Mr. H. Whitney will start both Odessa and Turna in tho Winter Cup. C. Jenkins will ride the former, and L. Traill tho latter. The Achillos-The Shannon colt, belonging to Mr. J. E. M'Donald, whilst playing up recently, came into contact with a nail in the wall, and badly lacerated tho skin just below one of his eyes. Tho annual report of the Ilawke's Bay Jockey Club has como to hand. The audited accounts show that the club started the year with a debit balance at tho bank • of ,£213 Cs. 9d. After payment of .£405 Ids. 7d. oh improvements, and ,£'2oo, the balance of unpaid purchase money for tho sections adjoining the racecourse, the ilrbit balance at tho bank on July 8, 101). was .£360 18s. Id. As shown by the profit and loss account the surplus on the year's working expenses is .£095 Bs. 9d. [)y a deal, which was completed yesterday, Merrie Zealand, Merrie Time, and Merrie Goer have become the property of Trainer O. Higgott. Merrie Zealand was shipped fonth last night to fulfil engagements at the Canterbury Jockey Clubs Grand National Meeting next m«nt!i. After competing at Kiccarton, the Memo England gelding will be brought back to Wellington, and, later, shipped to Sydney along with the other two horses named. Jumpers' flat races will bo his specialty on the other side, and J. Delaney will go across to do the riding. Ajax won the French Derby in 2mjn. ,11 2-sspc, whereas the rec»nt winner, Alcantara, wont "one hotter," and did it in "mi-i 30 °-s<ec, which is the record for tho racn. Tho French Derbv is always run in faster time than tho. English, and thus does away with tho idea that tho Epsom mile and a half is an easy course. On tho contrary, owini tn tho hill at the start, it talces a lot of doing. HXTUHES. August 8, 10. and 12—Canterbury J.C.'a "Grand National. For Children's Flacking Cough at Night, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, Is. Gd. '

Porirua Club. Porirua v. Victoria College (third grade) —Hay, M'Taggett, Sim, Little, Barker. M'Morran, Prosser, Stannard, Lonias, Mitchell, Henry, Dowdall, Boberts. Bently, Goldsmith. Selwyn Club. The following team will represent Selwyn Football Club in their match against St. John's in the third-class grade:— M'Leod, Casey, Curry, De Clifton, Buck, N. Cooper, Leeks, Bowil, P. Cooper, Lomas, Stott, Sullivan, Bowen, Ballinger, MThee, Clapham. Exchange Club. Exchange v. Wellington, at Sharpe's Ground (train leaves Hamilton at 2.15 p.m.).—Exchango team:—Doivnie, Harrison, Murray, Lennox, Lett, Baker, Nolan, Holloway, Cameron, Armstrong, Allan, Murphy, Stewart, Perrett, Ncwson, Larldn, Martin, M'Kac. Athletic Club. Senior v. St. James.—Cnnninghnm (2), Wilson (2), M'Donald (2), Madden, Jl'Vay, Murray, Levich, Beady, Bell, Orsborn, Rapson, Gosling. Junior.—Bobinson (2), Wilton, Pool, Hutchinson, Whitehouse, Kiddick, Lawson, Price, Schoch, O'Leary, Myers, Whu'ehouse, Corliss, Douglas. Third class— Cashman, 'Luxton, Eynn, Adams, Atkins, Watson, Ford, Smith, Orsborn, Doig, i'innegau, De Phillips Eeyling, Stevens, Winter. SCHOOL MATCHES. Yesterday afternoon, at Miramar, tho Clydo Quay School defeated Newtown School by l>3 points to nil. The gnme was a very interesting one, tho winners having the game practically to themselves. Pollock, a Newtown boy, played an exceedingly good game, and, at times got his team out of some awkward positions rije scorers were M'Kalo (3), Anderson,' M Leod, Stevens, and Wright. Mr. J. iorbes was referee. The Maranui School wore defeated by :ho lerraco School by G points to 3. For tliD winners Maeaulay and M'Keuzio scored, while Walker kicked a goal for the losers. WHERE TO GO TO-DAY. A very solid forward team, a team, also that is always very fit, will be pitted to-day against the all-round skill and V3°i"r. 0 C S t- James at X°- 1 ground, Athl i t H K a &- T Jt v:i11 sonerallr bo sun: nosed that St. James will win, but it is I ilist as well not to forecast with certainty I Uncertain things have been happening this season, Anyway, Athletic are pretty suvo to nut up a Rood fight. At No. 1 ground, Miramar, Poneke will bo matched against Southern, and tho way in winch the latter team havo fought their way up the ladder in the last few matches -a result of consistent training—would suggest another interesting game, and ono ■ worth seeing. The final of the junior championship comes up for decision on No. 2 Athletic Park, between Petone and Wellington. A paino well worth seeing ought to eventuate.