THE THEATRE IN JAPAN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 78, 22 May 1911, Page 2

THE THEATRE IN JAPAN.

The Japanese have celebrated tin opening of their new national theatn in Tokio. From a modern point o view the now structure is a mode, creation. The architect was sen. abroad some four years ago to stud’, the latest European and American designs and appointments in theatre construction, and came back with plan combining all that was latest am. best in the buildings ho saw abroad. The Imperial Theatre, as it is called has taken over three years to bn lid. and has cost more than £50,000. .It would cost at least £IOO,OOO in Europe or America. For completeness oi appointment and beauty of decoration the Toko imperial Theatre is regarded as one of the linest in the world. AH the iron doors and screens are controlled by automatic devices, closing them at once in case of fire. In addition, automatic fire-sprinklers art installed in convenient places for use at a moment’s notice. The seating capacity is about 1700. The seats are adjustable for sitting in foreign o; Japanese fashion. On either side o! the stage and level with it are two magnificently furnished boxes for tin use of the imperial Family. Behind these are ample lounging rooms, furnished with every convenience Hif Majesty might require. The stage, which is 00ft wide by 05ft deep, Inna revolving centre 48ft in diameter. The actors have four drossingrooms on each storey, with baths on each ol the three storeys, and on one of the balconies near the stage there is a private box for actors to witness the performance while waiting. Although the new theatre is in foreign style, it is unlikely that much encouragement will be given to translations of foreign plays, which so far are not greatly appreciated by the Japanese. They haw not yet taken to theatre-going’ in tin same way as Europeans. The theatre it] Japan has not yet quite recovered from the lead reputation it carried during the Tbkugawa period, when it was fra pushed by only the lower classes. The In-ginning of its rehabilitation in lamn is largely due to the influence and example of European royalty. As yet very few Japanese theatres pay.