NEW OPERA HOUSE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 97, 24 April 1912, Page 8

NEW OPERA HOUSE.

TO HOLD TWO THOUSAND PEOPLE. ♦- « BEST APPOINTED IN SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE ? " DESCRIPTION OF THE THEATRE. Another step towards the erection of a new playhouse in Manners-street wa6 taken by the Wellington Opera .House Company to-day, when, an informal meeting of the directors was held to view the plans prepared by the Hon. William Pitt, F.R.V.1.A., of Melbourne. The plans, which were explained by Mr. Pict, entirely pleased the -directors, who are to confer with the architect <. again to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock. Mr. Pitt brought over with him three sets of drawings to enable the contractors to tender as quickly as possible. All the quantities were taken out by the architect beforehand, and it is expected that this will greatly facilitate the acceptance of tenders — within the next fortnight, it is hoped. | A glance at the plans, which are generally described below, goes to show that in the new theatre Wellington will possess one of the finest playhouses south of the line. It will be substantial, cosy, and artistic, and it is apparent that no effort has been spared by the architect to bring it into line with the leading theatre structures of the world. It will accommodate 2000 people — 500 in the dress circle, 700 in the stalls, and a round 1000 in the galleries. The erection of the proposed new theatre will be started almost immediately. The work will be carried' out under -the supervision of th© Hon. Mr. Pitt. , » The proposed theatre will be equal "to any at present in Australasia, for size, comfort, and safety. The site hca a frontage to Manners-street of 101 ft with a depth of 240 ft. The theatre will be set back from the footpath line 10ft, so that a wide veranda.li and bal-, cony can be erected on the property and at the same time give an increased width, to the 'street. The theatre front will have a classic facade, finished with stucco. The construction of the brickwork will be new to Wellington : at different heights bands of reinforced concrete will run round the entire walls, which bands will bind them together, so as to resist .earthquake shocks as far as possible. The building itself will have a frontage of 86ft to Manners-street with a depth of 210 ft. There is to be a right-of-way 14ft wide round the- whole structure, so that the building will be isolated on all sides. Access to all parts of the theatre will be gained with very little' exertion. The stalls- and dress circle are entered from the main vestibule, which measures 41ft by 20ft. The vestibule floor will be finished in black and •white marbl© tiles. The ceiling is to be- of fibrous plaster and richly decoiated. The staircase leading from the vestibule to the dress circle crueh room will also be of marble. The spacious crush room measures 41ft by 39ft, and will be beautifully finished with panelled cover and decorated ceilings. From the crush room patrons will be able to walk out on to a balcony 80ft long. This will mako a splendid retreat for the entr'acte cigarette. On each sido of the crush room will be cloak rooms, a refreshment cafe, and offices. The ladies' cloak room and conveniences measures 29ft .by 23ft. ana gentlemen's 23ft by 19ft. I , The auditorium , will be, large iand* 'spacious, affording splendid views of the stage from all parts of tho house. It will consist of stalls, dress circle, and gallery, and two boxes (stalls and dress circle) on each side of the proscenium. Above the auditorium will be a vontilating sliding roof on an improved design, and so easy to manipulate that a child will be able to open >and close it without difficulty. The gallery entrances and escape stairs are situated at each side of the theatre. The stairs are wide and easy-going. This theatre, says tho architect, _will possess more entrances and escapes than any theatre in Australia or New Zealand, if not the world. The proscenium is to have a fireproof curtain of the latest design in asbestos, and covering one of the largest openings. The stage, which will b© spacious and lofty, will have the following ineaeuremonts : — Stage opening, 30ft; wall to wall, 63$i't ; height (to apron) 24ft, (to "gridiron") 54ft; depth of stage, 69ft. Adjoining it prevision has been made for an extensive scene* dock, with well-lighted double paint, frame and artists' room above. On one .side of the- stage a fcur-storied block of dressing rooms and offices, replete with every convenience, will bo situated. Aleo adjoining the stage will be a property room, wardrobe room, and limelight tank room — all oi" large dimensions. The decorations ,are to be carried out in accordance with the architectural features of the building, and in strict accordance with the b&st style adopted for modern theatres. The prevailing colours are cream, biscuit, and blue, varying from light robin' 6 egg shade to turquoiee, this again grading into a strong green. Altogether the effect will bo most pleasing and soft, there being no feeling of strong contrasts to break tho general harmpny. The ceilings of the auditorium and galleries are to bo panelled out in delicate tones, having ornamental corner pieces, lines, and 'centrepieces. The- crush room and vestibule — both main features of the theatre — will be executed in tones of straw and vellum, cream and blue, with decorated panels whkh will give a. rich and chaste effect, and blend haimonicusly with the marble staircase. The proscenium is to be provided with a plush curtain and fringe. The seats in the dress circle awl stalls will bo upholstered in Utrecht velvet of the came shade as the curtain. The boxes are to be artibtically draped with plush, embellished with fringes, cords, and tassels. •The electric light installation will include all the most modern and uj>todat& appliances for the working of a theatre. The lights are to be distributed throughout the theatre, offices, shops, dressing rooms, stage, and approaches. These will be controlled from a handsome' marble switchboard mounted on a gallery on the prompt eide of the stage, and from thi& switchboard the -cables run to various distributing points throughout tho building. The e witches and safety fuses are to be arranged to control the lights in groups. Every portion of the theatre is to be served by at lea6fc two mains taking different routes, so that any accident in any one circuit will not deprive any portion of the house entirely of light. The "dimmer 3," which form a most important item in theatre electric light installation, will be erected, aw by their meaius the beautiful lighting effects wvll known and appreciated by all theatregoeifi n,ie produced. By meant* of these "dimmers" the operator can control the various coloured -lights in the lootlights, burden, bunches, und ground rows separately, or in groups, or at will of the operator the wholo can bt> controlled simultaneously by nieaiu ol one lever. Every precaution will bo taken to prevent an outbreak oi iire — the sivitchboswd' and "dimmer" frain«* are to be" of iron and the ela-bs carrying the switches and fusee of

marble. The wires under the stage are to bo laid in steel tubes., and the "W.&116" for making connections, io the portable lightb are to bo of special design and made of marble and iron. The building when completed will be one of the best appointed theatres in the Southern Hemisphere. The long experience of Mr. Pitt in kiln's class of architecture throughout Australasia is a sufficient guarantee that 4tho building will be quite up-to-date as>a playhoube. Mi\ Pitt has designed other theatres, p.h follow : Princess ..Theatre.. King' 3 The&tie, Opera House, Theatre Royal (all of Melbourne). Her Majesty's (Sydney), Her Majesty's (Ballarat), Her Majesty s (Auckland), and theatres at Napier and Dannovirke.