The Building Described

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 240, 11 July 1928, Page 7

The Building Described

Rin Example of Modern Theatre Design

The Kilbirnie Kinema is believed to be one of the finest suburban theatres in New Zealand. The design was .entrusted to Messrs. Swan, Lawrence, and Swan, architects, the Terrace, Wellington, and Mr. Francis H. Swan planned the building, which has been constructed on pleasing classic lines. With a frontage of 88 feet to Bay Road and a depth of 136 feet, the theatre provides comfortable seating accommodation for 1200 patrons. A spacious entrance of 22ft. x 26ft., artistically tiled, leads to the vestibule lounge, which covers an area of 50ft. x dOft., access to the dress circle is gained by means of an imposing flight of stairs 10ft. wide, and there are two entrances to thestalls from the vestibule. > The proscenium opening has a width of 40ft., and a depth of 24ft. Provision has been made to extend the stage to 45ft in depth at some future date, and, suiflcient land at the back of the theatre has been purchased by the company for that purpose. An uinterrupted view of the screen is obtained from all parts of the theatre, aid to make this possible a particularly wide roof

span of 85 feet has been provided, for yrXA-'i -even steel strusses have been used. This fine roof span has lent itself to picturesque ceiling treatment, which gives a particularly, pleasihg effect. Provision has also been made for the accommodation of a modern orchestra, the -well being 30ft. wide by 6ft. The lighting effects play an important part in the theatre of to-day,, and the illumination of the Kilbirnie Kinema has been exceptionally well planned, and includes a clever arrangement of colour floodlights.

In designing the theatre the comfort and safety of patrons has been the major consideration. The building is absolutely fireproof, being constructed of brick and concrete, while the operating and film room, located at the back of the dress circle, but detached from it, is also of fireproof construction. Numerous exits, ladies’ and gentlemen’s cloak rooms, a modern system of steam heating and ventilation all add to the features which make the Kilbirnie Kinema a pleasing example of the modern trend in theatre design.