THE NEW OPERA HOUSE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8523, 1 November 1888, Page 7

THE NEW OPERA HOUSE.

f Continuation of Summary from Supplement.)

The new Opera House—rising, Phcenixlike, from its ashes—is now rapidly approaching completion, and will shortly-be reinstated, no doubt, in the position it formerly held, at the top of the list as far as New Zealand theatres go, and equal to the beat in the Australias. The rapidity with which the work of rebuilding the theatre has proceeded is remarkable, and reflects the greatest credit on the architect, Mr W. C. Chattield (under whose supervision the work has been carried on), and the contractor, Mr Hanson. It is only a very short time since the advisablencss of rebuilding was being discussed, and, since a decision was arrived at, the work has gone on with a celerity not only astonishing in itself but still more so when it is considered in comparison with the progress made with another public building in the city. There is not the slightest doubt apparently of the Opera House being ready by the date which as been fixed for its opening—the 3rd of December. What work had to be done on the exterior is about finished, and inside an army of carpenters, plasterers, and others hold busy possession. The “flies” and other mysterious regions in the vicinity of the stage are well on toward completion, and on the stage itself the flooring is being laid down. The proscenium walls are to be of brick and plaster, so that if fire happened to break out, it would be almost impossible for it to spread cither from the stage to the auditorium or vice versa. the precautions against file are noticeable everywhere about the theatre, •just as though to well exemplify the superiority of prevention to cure. The staircases leading to the dress and family circle will only have such woodwork about them as is absolutely necessary, and the same rule is religiously followed in other parts of the building. The means of egress and ingress arc also much greater than before, for the passages to the stalls and pit are wider, and have no woodwork. Thex - e will be two staircases leading to the family circle, instead of one, as before—massive but handsome affairs of iron and concrete, one running up from the dress circle entrance, and one on the other side. There are also the staircases on to the stage from all parts of the theatre which were in the old building. The family circle itself will have one innovation, which is an improvement, that is, that the pillars which used to run to the ceiling are done away with. The ceiling is also a little higher, and judging by the provision made for ventilation we should imagine that the circle will be comfortably cool without being at all draughty. In the dress circle the iron railing has been put in, and the carpenters have now nearly finished. The chairs (which, it will be remembered, were made from Mr Chatfield’s design) are all upholstered, and will be put in presently. There will be 35 chairs more in this circle than before, and the whole seating accommodation of the theatre will exceed that of the old Opera House by about a hundred. Work in the social hall is also very nearly finished. A pleasant innovation here and in the two circles is the use of Keene’s cement for the dados. , This cement gives a polish like that of marble, and being a pure white it adds considerably to the beauty of the place. The sighting, which was such a commendable feature of the last Opera House, will be just as good in this, the problem of giving people in every part of the house a clear view of the whole stage having been solved most effectually. The more refined work in connection with the theatre is going on well, the dome having been painted and left ready for the grating in the centre, while the drop scene and other artistic work is being done by Mr Edmunds and a staff of assistant*. With a view to keeping level with the times, every provision has been made for using the electric light. On the whole the Opera House promises to be, as the old one was, a credit to the city and those concerned in it. The third time, it is said, proves for all ; and it is most fervently to be hoped that this Opera House will stand for many years free from the attacks of the element which has twice destroyed a similar venture, and which is such a good servant but such an unbearable master.