ALTERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11686, 23 July 1906, Page 2

ALTERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS.

Some tirrie ago Mr fi. Stfu'riderg, d the (Jolilnße'ro'ial Hotel, pifchasedi front the O'ddfelld'vv'sf the" '.£heat?er Royai, and for the" past threemonths a large staff of workmer* have been engaged carrying ont extensive alterations and improveni'ents,which ,are how nearing comlpletion,and will be ready, to-ni'orroW evening for the opening performance by the' local amateurs of S'idri'ey Grundy's successful comedy " The' Arttbhtnt Nights; ' ' interior of the' WiliMing has been f6-pain'ted 3fld decfofitt' ed in a most artistic fnanner by the firm of Messrs J. Savage and Soflsy who have had practically a freehand in the matter of decoration, and the result has been to convert the dingy old Theatre into 1 a bright, oheerful house of amusement. The* old gailery has been forinett into a dfe3S circle, access to which is made frcim ihe centre d^or qf the Theattfft up a wide flight of (Hairs' td a lafnd ing.. Qft this landing 1 is a dloalfe rjoqfti built for ladies, and this' coffVeriiehcei' will no doubt be much Appreciated by,, the fair sex. . The roof, above the circle has been * domed, T? . and a large patent ventilator placed over the top, which should keep the atmosphere at an even temperature. Seating accommodation has been provided for between 130 and 140 persons, comfortably upholstered folding opera chairs being fixed instead of the oldfashioned forms wnich have been in use for so many years. This part of the work has been- don© by Messrs G.- Page and Sons. As the seats have been placed ia tiers an excellent tfieW of the stage can be obtained from all parts of the circle. Two private boxes* one 1 eaoh side of the circle have also been built, and each box is capable of seating seven ni ; eight persons. Entrance to th» pit is iitfw made from the door on tbe southern sido' of the Theatre, send attention has been paid to the ventilation of this part of tho house. The stalls remain as before, ami the former front seats will in future be known as tbelorcnestral stalls. The dressing rooms rtt the back of tbe stage have fall been" repainted, and Mr Alfred Ingleson, si well-known scenic artist, is now engaged paint > ing new scenery. It is the intention of the proprietor to at once proceed with the work of enlarging the stage area, and the roof will also be raised to enable the same scenery that is used by travelling companies in other towns to be used here. A twoinch main for fire prevention purposes has been laid, aud present fire escapes provide ample means of exit in case of fire. The lighting of the Theatre has also been looked to, a large" chandelier having beeen placed in the dome above the circle and brackets on either side of the building. The repairs have beea carried out by Messrs Leaper Bros. Mr Saunders also intends erecting a balcony to the street line, and covered in arch the width of the^circle door to the edge of the pavement, which will enable patrons of the circle to walk from their carriages to the door dry shod on wet nights. We have no doubt that the improvements to the Theatre, which will aocommodate 800 persons, Will 156 much appreciated by both patrons and lessees.