THE NEW OPERA HOUSE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12772, 25 May 1912, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE NEW OPERA HOUSE.

Plans of tho new Gisborne Opera House, the details of which have recently been completed by the. architects, Messrs 'Graham' and Brown, ' provide , for a" building.'' that should compare -favorably with, any similar structure.throughout' the ' Dominion.. With 'the liberal seating allowed lit should afford accommodation for 'over a thousand- persons,'

As may be gathered from the extent of the foundations arid brick work that the contractor,- Mr G. Smith, has m progress, the building w.ill occupy the full Extent of tlie quartet* acre's The front elevation, which will be of ail artistic design, ih finished stucco, introducing architectural features new to Gisborne, will front Peel street. The full depth of the building will extend along the Childers road frontage.

Local theatregoers 'will be pleased to learn that the new opera house will provide quite a number of innovations, .designed with a view to the comfort and convenience of its patrons. There. will, •for instance, be three distinct entrances. Dress circle folk will reach their seats through the main entrance artd massive staircase, whilst entrance to the orches^ tra] stalls will be gained through a special door on the Childers road frontage: The "pit," of course, is indispensable, and its patrons will gain admission through a covered-in court 10ft. wide, that will mil nearly the entire length of the seaward side of the building. • Immediately inside the large doors of the front entrance one will step into a spacious foyer, finished off with artistic decorations of fibrous plaster. It will have a measure of 43ft by 31ft. To tho left there will be the manager's office, ticket tiffice.. etc. On the right, opening from Childers road, there will ba the orchestral stalls entrance, and the patrons of this portion of the house will obtain their tickets from a neat little office near by, and pass straight mto the auditorium. In another corner of the foyer provision is made for a refreshment stall, quite a necessary adjunct to modern opera houses. The pit will be located beneath the circle, and m front, m the auditorium, there will be the orchestral stalls.. Together, th© pit and auditorium will have a dimension of 75f't by 53ft. whilst the height will be m keeping with the loftiness of the whole building. From the top of the central dome of the massive and artistic plaster Veiling to the floor of the orchestral stalls below/there will be an air space of nearly 40ft. The interior appearance -of the house promises to b© a most pleasing one. Mounted upon massive steel girders, extending the full width of the building, and thus doing away with obstructing pillars m the pit .beneath, the. dress circle will flank the back and two sides of the auditorium, terminating on either side with a private box. The latter are, of course, something new for Gisborne, and judging from tho plans, they Will add to the artistic nature, of the interior arrangements. y. Mounting the massive concrete staircase m the foyer tliat divides to the right and left,, one will reach a spacious .lounge that will extend the full width of the building. Tlie staircase will stand directly m front of the main entrance doors, arid will be of a striking nature, fitted with wrought, iron balustrading and polished jarrali handrails. . From tho lounge there will open ous ladies' and men's cloak rooms that will- occupy tho frontage of the building. These are to be furnished with modern conveniences. In the lounge 'there Will be another refreshment sta\l. 1 {Entrance to the circle will be gained ; through two dcors, to the right- and 'left, the centre being occupied by an operator's room when moving pictures are being shown. It will be entirely fireproof. The circle will comprise ten' rows of seat's.

Opening out from the circle on the seaward side of the building will be a spacious balcony, 10ft wide, 'running nearly the length of the Opera Hoiu?. Not only will it provide roofing for the court below, but enclosed with glass, will provide a pleasant* promenade;, and will uoubl-less form a popular resort during intervals.

Iri the matter of exits the new building is well provided. From tho dress circle there will be two exits on the balcony that will Hank the Childers road side of tho building; and three, others on to the balcony that is to open on the seaward side, and from which there will be a stairway to the pavement of the court. The main staircase may also be used for the same purpose. Ample exit provision is also designed for the pit and auditorium, there being no less than six doors opening outwards. ' . lhe plans disclose that the stage will be a roomy one, having an area of 51ft by 39ft, and capable of accommodating the largest companies. The height of the grid is' 47ft. Before the footlights there , will 'be the usual orchestral well, whilst the staging will be set off by the floor being given a pitch towards the auditorium. Special precaution is being taken against fire, and not only will there be an expensive asbestos curtain, but the four dressing rooms on the seaward side of the stage will be shut off by a fireproof wall and fireproof doors. At the back of tlhe stage there will be a property room and scene dock. The accommodation that is being .provided for operatic companies is on- a most extensive scale. There are to be five additional dressing looms on the floor above, each fitted up with complete lavatories. ' \

The fittings of the dressing rooms are being made of fireproof material as far as possible: Above the stage there will be the usual fly gallery and grid for the manipulation of scenic effects. There will be three exits from the stage, a doorway into Childers road by a flight of stairs into a right-of-way at the back of the theatre, and into the court on tlie southern side of tho t building. The engine-room will be located m tho basement* at the end of the court, whilst the whole of the space beneath the stage is left entirely clear.

. Special attention is also being given to tho matter of lighting and ventilation. By the use of powerful electric fans tlie whole of the air throughout the building will be changed every seven minutes, so that patrons of tho opera house Mill have no occasion for complaint on this score. Special , ventilating shafts and fans are also to be installed for the ventilation of the pit. Tho electrical installation promises to be a feature of the building, and there should bo a blaze of light both inside and out.' Besides two powerful . arc" lamps over tho front entrance, it is proposed to place two powerful lamps on the top of the parapet, nearly 50ft. above the pavement; whilst the' central dome will stand out conspicuously. Two handsome newel lanterns at the" foot of the main staircase should enhance the appearance of tho foyer. The electrical installation proyid«s for no less than 132 16cp lamps, .106 32cp lamps, 'one 50 and orio lfJOcp '"'lamps' and Tour " arc -"lamps.-" '■•• 4- ■"'■•■ ■'• „"■.•-.• 4. -4... „ ...,,,., To ensure the onrafw'troi'vpatroiisHipr jup 'seats are to bs ( shst&Ued -.'throughout the whole building:-" Electric radiators are also being provided m the lounge,, •manager's office, and m the principal dressing, (rooms. |