FAMOUS THEATRES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6493, 13 April 1908, Page 7

FAMOUS THEATRES

Drury Lane Theatre, which was recently the scene of a fire, the damage being estimated at .£73,000, was first opened in 1G63, and the present edifice, the fourth, in 1812. It was burned down, with GO other buildings, in 1672, and experienced a simila.r fate again in ISO 9. Most of the great English actors have toed the boards of the historic playhouse, which has of recent years been given over for the mos. part to pantomimes and other spectacular productions.

As to the part played by the safety curtain in chocking the progress of the fire so effectually, it was only the other day that the value of this contrivance was demonstrated in connection with the fire at another historic playhouse—the Theatre Royal in Windsor. The old Royal is a famous structure from the point of antiquity. It stands right under the walls of Windsor Castle, and the outbreak by which it was almost totally destroyed occurred in the small hours of Tuesday, February 18. As already stated, the lire unexpectedly bore tribute to the value of the iron curtain and the iron doors in the theatre, since it was entirely owing to them mat any part of the structure was saved. Miss Grace Warner's theatrical company was engaged to play “The Scarlet Clue” there for the week, and when the place was closed shortly before midnight on Monday everything was probably safe. About 4.30 a nightwatchman at Windsor Castle saw- volumes of smoke oommg from the direction of me theatre, and at onco gave the alarm. By this time, however, the flames were coming through the rooi, and it was discovered that the fire was raging fiercely at tho back part of the building. It was fqund that the fire was confined almost entirely to the stage aird dressing-rooms, and the firemen were able to reach this from Thamce-avenue. on which the theatre abuts. Some tons of water were* thrown on to the burning property, the firemen working splendidly together in their efforts to prevent tnc l flames from spreading. After an hour's work the roof went in with a crash, throwing the flames and sparks to a tremendous height, and lighting up the Castle. Eventually all tho brigades got the mischief under, and in less than an hour there were only smouldering beams. Tho whole of the premises behind tho steg« and the roof and upper pait of the gallery were gulled. The stage iron curtain and iron doors on cither side saved the lower pait of the auditorium, consisting of the pit, dress circle, and upper circle, bars, and cloak rooms. The dressing-rooms were damaged by fire and water, and the scenery destroyed, and the costumes and other property were damaged. The theatre, which was the property of Sir W. Shipley, three times Mayor, consecutively, of uindsor, was leased to Mr Jasper Redfern, of Sheffield and Manchester. It was first built in 1815, aud was the property of Charles Knight, the younger, and a syndicate. In later years it came into the hands of the lato Colonel Richardson Gardner. M.R. for Windsor, and his -decease it passed to tho late Sir George Henry Long, and upon his decease to the present owner. At the time of the fire the lessee, Mr Redfern, was away in Paris upon his honeymoon. Tho cause of tho fire is unknown, though several suggestions have been put forward, one being Mat a spark might have escaped from the tire scene in the play, and have been smouldering amongst the stage property for hours. Last April the theatre, it 'is said, narrowly escaped being burned down through a fire breaking out a few doors away.