A NEW THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1347, 26 January 1912, Page 3

A NEW THEATRE.

HON. WM. PITT TO PREPARE PLANS. TO BE COMPLETED BY CHRISTMAS. Negotiations Mwecu the Ron. Win. I'itt, the eminent Melbourne architect, and the Wellington Opera House Company, regarding the building of a ne« and np-to-duto theatre in -Manner? Street Kast, were concluded yesterday afternoon, when Mr. Pitt was instructed to proceed with the preparation cf plans and i-ixci-licatioui. Seen la.-t evening'. Mr. Pitt espreweil the opinion thai- the new theatre would I be equal to anything they at present had in Australia, botlt for size, comfort, and convenience before and behind the curtain. The section of land on which the new temple of the drama will be erected \tas a frontage to Manners Street of 101 feet by a depth uf 210 feet. An Manncis Street is rather narrow, opposite the section, it has been decided to set the theatre elovation back 10ft. from the present building line, and to isolate the structure as far as possible it will be surrounded by a Hft. right-of-way. The theatre, which will be built of brick, with a cement stucco facing, will bu constructed on a principle new to Wellington. At intervals of everv six or eight feet in the brick walls there will be a section of concrete, reinfoieed with steel bands, so that when the outer walls are built the entira structure will be knitted together in much the same manner as a cask is with its steel hoops. This arrangement i« calculate*! to make the building as nearly earthquake-proof as possible. The building itself will have u frontage to Manners Street of 86f(.. by it depth of 210 ft. There will be three distinct entrances from Manners Street leading into the main vestibule, from which will rise the stahways to the dress circle and gallerv. The dress circle will have ;i commodious foyer of its own, and ample provision will be made in the wav of retiring-rooms for patrons ot the dress circle, stalls, and gallery. The auditorium will lie designed to seat between ISOO and 2000 people Ithe present Opera House seats about 1500), and to ensure comfort upholstered f-eats of the most approved design will be provided in the circle and stalls. There will be two boxes on either side of the theatre. For ventilation purposes a sliding roof will bs provided in the dome. There will be four escapes from the stalls, three from the dross circle and three from the gallery, all independent of each other. Behind the curtain (an asbestos fireproof drop will be provided), the arrangements will be just as satisfactory as in front. Instead of the dress-ins rooms being situated at the back of the theatre, there will be three tiers of rooms at one side of the stage, including a line of rooms for the principals on a level with the stage. At the back of the stage a huge scene dock will be provided, and a property room of ample dimensions will be included in the design. A gridiron flocr will bo erected 54ft. above the level of the stage, and the stage will be surrounded by "flies" 2t feet above the stage. Rising from the flies at the back will be a paint frame 40ft. in lentrth. The latest electric lighting plant will be installed, capable of producing anv effect needed. Ample fire appliances will be provided all over the theatre, which will be built as far as possible oi fire-resisting material. Mr. Pitt hopes to be able to call fcr tenders at the end of Anril. and expresses his belief that the theatre will lie ready to open at the end of the present year. There is no. architect in Australia", who has been more eloMly associated with theatre building than the Hon. Mr. Pitt. Among the houses h" has designed "are His Princess Theatre. King's Theatre, and Opera House in Melbourne, in addition to which he libuned flic alterations to His Majesty's a--l (iie Theatre Tloval in the same cily. "lie was architect for His Maiestv's Theatre, Sydney. His Maiesty's. JHUarnt, and His. Majesty's. Auckland. Tin designed the new Theatre Royal, Hobsrt, now being .completed." the new theatre in Tlaiinevirke, and the municipal theatre in course of erection at Napier.