THE PROPOSED NEW THEATRE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2930, 16 August 1882, Page 2

THE PROPOSED NEW THEATRE.

It is generally understood that after the present week, operations will be commenced without delay, on the reconstruction of the Theatre. It has been most convincingly demonstrated, of late, that the accommodation is quite inadequate. The stage area is limited, and the auditorium, cramped and uninviting. Mr Jonas, the proprietor, has determined to provide snob a theatre as will be a credit to the town and induce the best companies to visit us. The whole of the building except th efacada will be taken down and a new one erected. The preparation of plans was entrusted to Mr Duval, at whose office we have had an opportunity of inspecting them. There is to be an entire reconstruction of the building. The stage (now 28 feet) will be 39 feet deep; and 43 feet 6 inches broad, it being now 38 feet. The proscenium opening is to be 24 feet instead of 16 feet as at present. The orchestra space which will bo located in a sort of shallow well under the break of the stage will be 5 feet deep and will communicate with the passage and wings by a trap door under the stage. The stage offices will be numerous and roomy. There are to be nine dressing rooms, communicating with the stage by passages. The supernumeraries dressing room, and the property room will be placed under the stage. , A back door will be provided through which boxes, properties, &c., may be moved to and from vehicles. The right-of-way leading to the stage door will be covered in, and paved with concrete. The front door, opening to the street, will give admission to a vestibule, flanked on either side by a shop and conducting to a spacious staircase, ascending to the dress circle. The circle will seat comfortably 180 persons, and there will be cloak rooms, an assembly room, and a refreshment room. Two wide doors leading to stairways will provide a means of speedy egress in cate of fire. There will also be two side boxes. The pit and stalls will be approached from the right of way, and there will be four wide doors as fire escapes. The stalls will afford comfortable seat accommodation for 200 and the pit for 350. These enlarged dimensions, and the entire reconstruction of the interior, will furnish Timaru with a very handsome and commodious theatre. It is to be regretted that the proprietor has been obliged to dismiss from his mind the intention of erecting a new front, but we must bo satisfied with the useful works inside the building, which are now to be put in band.