A NEW "HIS MAJESTY'S."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1183, 19 July 1911, Page 4

A NEW "HIS MAJESTY'S."

TO COST ,£25,000. Wellington is to have a new and thoroughly up-to-dato theatre. Messrs. Fuller and Kons intend to re-build His Majesty's Theatre, in Courtenay Place. The' new structure will be one of the largest and best-equipped theatres in New Zca-' land, as it will have n frontage of 106 ft. by a depth of 132 ft.; it wiil accommodate IsOO persons seated; and the stage—so often needlessly "cabined, cribbed, and' confined"—will bo one of ainplo climen-, sions. It will bo 102 ft. wido, and havo a good depth; the proscenium opening will be 34ft., and 26ft. in height. With such a stugo and auditorium it will bo ■.possible to accommodate any kind of'pro-, duction, and to serve any theatrical purpose in tho years to come. .Tho building will be erected almost exclusively in steel and concrete, and will ,ba practically fireproof.' There will only be onecircle, but it will l>e largo enough to seat 650 people. It will lie erected on the cantilever principle, aud will consequently only be given the. support of tki'ce pillars-instead of six or eight, as is usually tho case. It is coniidently stated that every seat will command a view of the stage. There will be four private boxes on each side of the stage, but they will be so built as not to obtrude on tho line of vision from any part of tho auditorium. ■

The facade will be a handsome one, GOi't. in height, with a marquise verandah worked into the Columnar design. Tho entranco doors aro to bo on tho drawbridge design, drawing up and lowering down on the counter-weight principle, so that, tlicy can never impedo tho iugross or egress of a crowd. Ventilation is being given special attention, and amplo exits will be provided from all parts of the house. The plans havo been prepared -by Mr. Henry E. White, of Dunedin, who has already dono much good' work for Messrs. Fuller aud Sous. Six months ago Mr. White transformed the Auckland Opera House into one of tho finest houses in the Dominion, and made it a thing of beauty at the same time. He also designed and built the new theatre (especially built for pictures) erected just off Karangnhape Road, Auckland. Mr. White builds from his own designs on tho day-labour plan. Tho generous manner in which Messrs. Fuller and Sons aro going about tho rebuilding of this theatre is evidenced in tho fact that it is ospcctcd to cost'about <£25,000.

Hie present Hjs Majesty's Theatre goes out of commission almost, immediately, and tho pictures will bo transferred to tho Skating Rink, in Ingestro Street.