The Opera House.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 8052, 1 April 1905, Page 5

The Opera House.

Dress Circle .and tlfft Pit.

At the meeting, of the Borough Council last night, Gr Haydon^ referring to the dress circle and pit question* attention to which was drawn in the Standard /a. few days ago, said he-had. been round to the Opera House and said ho was of very much the same opinion as the newspapers that the lowness of the dress circle floor was going to curtail the view of the stage from the pit; He suggested tlie Opera House Committee should consider the advisability of making an alteration now when it could be done without any great expenditure. He thought the circle could easily be raised another 18 inches and, said that at present only eight feet, in height, of the stage could be seen from the back of the pit. If the work was not done now the inconvenience caused would be a great detriment later on. ■

The Mayor said the Opera House was supposed to he built on up-to-date! lines. He had visited the building, and from his personal inspection considered everything that took place on the stage would be seen from the pit. He thought a man would easily be able to see from ten to fourteen feet in height of the stage. In any case, he asked, how often was a balcony scene put on the stage ? Probably once a year. Anyhow, if a person took the precaution to go early and secure a good seat he would be all right. He did not see how anything could be done in tho matter, He considered the objections taken were frivolous. They had been told of numerous faults in connection with the Opera House, and how this and that should be done. They had been told of the superiority of the electric light as compared with gas, but they had not been told of the failure of the former light at Wanganui, where they had to pay j£so damages. Cr Haydon said the Mayor's statements were very satisfactory- so far as they went, but at the same time it was well known that while an alteration could be easily done it was better to do it and he hoped the Opera House Committee would take the matter into consideration. He thought the flooring of the gallery could easily be raised. The Mayor: There is no objection to referring it to the Committee. Cr France said any alteration made now would interfere with the seating accommodation in the circle and also the corridors.

Cr Essex said it was easy to see nine feet of the stage with one's back against the pit wall. Sitting down fully lOi feet of the stage could be seen, as high as any balcony scene. In any case the pit seats did not go back to the wall. There was a passage between the wall and the back seats. The height of the circle gave occupants of the pit sis inches more view of the stage than in the Wellington Opera House.

. It was decided the Committee should consider the question.