THE THEATRE ROYAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3125, 9 April 1883, Page 2

THE THEATRE ROYAL.

To say that Mr Moss Jonas deserves well of the public of Timaru, is not to flatter that gentleman, but to express the unanimous feeling of all those who have been inside the re-constructed Theatre. We have already described the interior, the fittings, dimensions, and other details, as noted at an earlier stage of the work. On Saturday night, we had the pleasure to be present, when the building was lighted for the first time. The entire work being now virtually complete, we may speak confidently of the appearance of the building in its finished state. It is, indeed, a bijou theatre, wherein everything that art and good taste and experience could suggest has been adopted, and the general effect is something which it may be confidently asserted has not been equalled iu the colonies. We know no Australian or New Zealand theatre anything like so tasteful or complete. Entering by the stage door on Saturday night, the building being fully lighted up, the real excellence of tho dress circle designed was fully revealed. The tiers of seats rise well above one another, each being a light iron, velvet-cushioned, reversible chair. The sweep-round of the circle is very fine and the elevation of each tier of seats has a most imposing effect from the stage, so much so indeed that when filled with a fashionable throng—it will present the appearance of a gigantic bouquet of fashion. The offices at the rear of the circle, cloak rooms, refreshment rooms, vestibules, &c., are also most convenient and well designed. The only thing in the interior which is not strictly in keeping with the other exquisite arrangements is the centre lighting—a large single light close up to the reflector would have looked infinitely better than the two small brass rings depending as at present. This is, however, a very small matter, the lighting being complete in every other respect. .Gaining the back tier of the circle one looks down upon the stage with pleasure, having a full view of it, and certainly a more pleasing view could hardly be imagined. Wo had an opportunity of inspecting Mr Williams’, the scenic painter’s, work and a very cursory inspection showed that it was indeed tho work of an artist, but-really the appearance of the scenery on the stage quite surpasses all the expectations we had formed of it. The “garden scene ” is one of the most exqusitely painted bits of scenery we ever saw. The “ drop scene ” is very fine, if a little overcrowded,,. The cottage scenes, perspectives, &c., &c., are extremely good, and everything brand new; there is a wonderful freshness about the stage which will have the effect of stimulating one’s enjoyment of a play. The vallance over the proscenium, we have referred to before—it is a gem of art. Descending to the stalls, we find there —well, we wish the Railway Department would take the hint, even in their first-class carriages They are comfortably-cushioned seats, and are not too near the stage. We took the opportunity of carefully noting the facility with which a pit audience could witness a performance, and we feel justified in saying that the pit is an unusually comfortable one. Mounting to the stage, the view of the house is superb ; the best com pany could but enjoy playing before such an auditorium, everything that meets the eye is tasteful and elegant in the last degree. The stage arrangements themselves are perfection. We have already described the spaciousness and the different facilities of the stage, and a further examination, now that every trifling detail has been supplied, shows that it is no exaggeration to characterise the arrangements as perfect. The actors have indeed “ their exits and their entrances,” numerous and convenient enough here. One excellent arrangement there is that there are different gas meters, so that in the event of an alarm of fire, were the stage gas to be turned off, the house would not be left in darkness, the other set of burners being unconnected with it. From all parts of the house there are fire escapes. The number and capacity of these, one would say, is in excess of the requirements. Mr Duval the architect, and Mr McGill tho contractor looked on very complacently on Saturday night at the manifest delight of everyone, and it must be confessed that the exquisite design of the one has been faithfully executed by tho latter —and oven the proprietor, Mr Jonas, who has an eye for everything, pronounces it, as does everyone who has seen it, very good. Tho facade of tho building seen from

the street, is in excellent taste. The opening night will be celebrated by a performance of “ Chilperic” by amateurs. What outside talent will first air itself on the boards, we do not know. It should be Major Atkins m, thoTambour Major Company, or the Salvation Army.