BEAUTIFUL LIGHTING SCHEME

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 67, 13 December 1926, Page 19

BEAUTIFUL LIGHTING SCHEME

A GLOW OF AMBER LIGHT WITH MANY NOVEL AND ARTISTIC EFFECTS It has become customary—as befits an entertainment depending on light—to elaborate that especial element in pic-ture-theatre illumination into a tiling of beauty. This factor has not been

neglected in the case of the new “Regent,” which will offer many beautiful and unique effects in electric lighting throughout the building. The whole of the novel clean-faced facade is to be flooded with high candle-power lights, the open glare of which will be concealed behind shades on top of the awning veranda that extends the full breadth of the building. In addition to that, the ornamental grilles and stained glass windows in the front ol the theatre will be handsomely illuminated by means of special circuits. On either side of the awning arch that shelters the approach to the main entrance are two gracefully ornamental antique Italian lanthorns, which accord nicely with the general scheme of architecture and decoration, whilst. across the entrance will be five special-type box-fitting lights, that will cast a brilliant glow upon the doorway below. P'our flambeau lights are also provided just inside the glass doors, whilst the entrance foyer will be flooded with a warm amber glow from a concealed cornice high up on the walls. ''.'th long bracket lustres on cither side, delicate reflected light from the n,n ‘ brella dome overhead, and sprinkled lights from the ornamental Italian urns which will stand on the marble pillars on either side of the grand stairwav, the lighting of the entrance foyer should convey an atmosphere of artistic elegance new to Wellington. In the balconv foyer, above the entrance foyer, the amber flood will only be the groundwork, as it were, of other effects, fol* there will be provided a battery of tiny floodlights to illuminate the palm stands, whilst a trickle of subdued light will come from the interior of the several ornamental grilles and urns. 'lhe promenade foyer will have . two standard lights of decorative design, capped by rose-pink newel shades of the finest alabaster. The ladies’ retiring room, which is approached from the balconv foyer, will be lighted with very handsome electroliers, and by pedestal lights subdued by tinted silk shades. As in the foyers, the main auditorium has been fitted with amber floods from a concealed cornice, winch traces the square of the building, a shade of light which, in harmony with the decorative scheme, is calculated to diffuse a golden glow throughout the theatre. But that really is only the background for many unique and extremely beautiful lighting effects. For example, oyer the back stalls, under the dress circle (and visible from the promenade lounge) tlieie will be suspended lights fitted with diamond-glass old English lustres, whilst centrally, above the open auditorium, there is a great umbrella dome, through the flutings of which will radiate delicate shafts of toned light. Heie, too, will be suspended two big lustres of great elegance, one on either s'de> whilst lights will radiate a delicate shade of moonlight blue from the root and side grilles, and the two palm balconies (at the sides of the front stalls). The lighting of the superb proscenium arch has been made a very special feature. This handsome architectural feature has been fitted with three circuits, so arranged that one combination of lights can fade into another in the most seductive and artistic manner, whilst pendant from the .main arch will be further illumination in the form of brilliant lustres, which will reflect every tone of light in the theatre. What is most important is that a very complete accumulator set of batteries has been provided,.so that should the city supply of electricity be cut on

for any reason, the accumulators can be immediately called upon and the whole theatre flooded with an independent supply of light. For safety sake, too, all the exit lights in various parts of the theatre arc worked oft independent batteries in case the ordinary lighting breaks down. The lighting scheme for the Regent (which includes the installation of a motor generator set) has been installed by Messrs. Crosher and Sons, electrical contractors, of Wellington and Auckland, a firm which makes a specialty of theatre work, and which has been concerned iti the electrical illumination of several of the largest and most modern theatres in the Dominion.