DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW BUILDING.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 63, 12 September 1911, Page 3

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW BUILDING.

On Thursday night next the Star Picturefi move into their new and handsome quarters. The Star Theatre, which is situated directly opposite the Newtown School. The front of the building m in modern renaissance (there will be electric star designs on the crest), and there is a balcony facing the east, and accessible itom the spacious foyer, about 80ft long by 10ft wide. The outstanding features of thia up-to-date picture hoitee are that it" will seat 1000 people comfortably, is absolutely fireproof, ventilated, and lit on the latest principles, and has a raked floor and no pillars to obstruct the view. The timber portions are of. jarrah. The main entrance 'is from Riddiford -itreet, and opens ifito a spacious hall with necessary offices (fireproof), and from which the staircase (6ft wide) runs up to the dree* circle. Off the hall ia the auditorium, which is to seat ab6ut 700. Here no aight will be interfered with, for a 48ft reinforced concrete beam, weighing ten tons, runs from side to side of the building, carrying the whole of the drese circle—a, matter of 105 tons. The raked floor ha* modern tip-up front stalls, and comfortable forms to the rear. Provision is made for an orchestra well, also "fireproof. The large proscenium, which is 27ft x 29ft, is finished off in Carrara cornices, and will be hung with red drapes. 'J\> the feat of the auditorium a fire escape leads into an alleyway, and tl»is i into Hall-street. The structure having a. cofiaiderable depth of ground at the back, the architect has so planned the theatre that in future, wheti business warrants, provision can- be made to have a stage 60ft long and 50ft wide, suitable for any performances. Four five foot tire escape doors are provided on • the south side, leading into a capacious open court at the side of the building With all the escape doors in operation it is estimated that the build* ing could bo emptied in two minutes. There are also hydrant* handy. Ths ! Ventilation downstairs ia more than ample. Upstairs, on the south side of the foyer are ladies' cloak rooms and lavatory, with similar conveniences for gentlemen adjoining. -There are two | entrances to the dress circle, with the manager's office to the right. Dorman \ Long stee^ principals, with steel lathing, I covered with plaster, with Carrara cor- | niced, compose the ceiling, which ia ba.rrel-«haped, to ensure good acoustics, arid appropriately decorated in white. The floor is covered with thick cork linoleum. The balcony front is covered with ( Carrara Work. ,He.re again are sufficient exits in case of fire. Artificial light will be piovided by six 200 candlepower lamps. The roof contains no. lews vhsm night 10ft x 6ft skylights, which, on hot evenings, can onwre a free exit of vitiated air. THo staircase, too, i# of reinforced concrete. tt is expected to accommodate about 300 people in the j circle. There is a fireproof chamber I for tlso get-orator and operator. The I pictures will have a. throw of 97f 1 . ConI venwmeeo for ladies and gentlemen are also provided downataiifl. Mr. Bennie is the architect, Mr. Pram und Sons contractors, 6ub-contractor, limeny. Smith and (Smith did the painting and decorating, A. and T. Burt the plumbing. Edward* and Sons the tip-up stalls,