WHAT IS A THEATRE?

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 149, 25 June 1908, Page 5

WHAT IS A THEATRE?

TO, THE EDITOR. yf'/ . Si rj _Wiir you kjndfy teW us just what a theatre is? -~Pebple have hitherto been in the habit of speaking of the Town Hall as , "the theatre," especially when theatrical performances have been given there, and when Councillor Griffiths spoke sortfe months ago of his desire for an "up-to-date theatre," and later j has moved for an up-to-date "hall, it was naturally supposed that he meant one and the same-thing. Now, however, it appears we have all been mistaken. A theatre is a theatre, and a town hall is just a town nail, even though it may be "up-to-date,/ and we must "speak by the card' in discussing this question in future. Meanwhile what is a theatre? PUZZLEP.

[Webster's International Dictionary gives several meanings to the word. It is derived from a Greek word signifying to see, or to view ; and it is defined as being "an edifice in which dramatic performances or spectacles are exhibited for the amusement oi; spectators." It would, therefore, appear to be quite correct to speak of the present Town Hall, or of Coun- , ciflor Griffiths's proposed new one, as ' a "theatre," and it is in this sense that we have referred to it. "Webster proceeds to inform us that anciently it was uncovered, except the .stage, but in modern times it is roofed. A second meaning gives us "any tfoom adapted to the exhibition of any/performances before an, assembly," as public lectures, scholastic exercises, anatomical demonstrations, surgical operations, etc." A third meaning is: ''that which resembles a theatre in form, use; or the like; a place rising by steps or gradations like the seats of a theatre." Then the term- is nsed to indicate a sphere or scheme of operation, and also, a place or region where great events are""~enacted, as "the theatre of war." From' the authority quoted' it would appear that our puzzled enquirer is quite safe in continuing-to call the present Town If all a theatre, seeing that it is the only edifice we. possess with, a stage upon which dramatic performances >or spectacles are exhibited for the amusement of spectators. A Town Hall is defined by the same authority as being a public hall op building belonging to a town, where the public offices are established, the town council meets, the people assemble in town 'meetings, etc. The broad distinction appears to be that the theatre has a stage for performances,, and the hall has not. It would evidently be correct, if a combined public hall and municipal chambers were erected here, to speak of the former portion as "the theatre" and the'latter as "the Town Hall."—Ed. M.El] f