THE NEW ADELPHI.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1440, 15 May 1912, Page 8

THE NEW ADELPHI.

STILL ANOTHER PICTURE THEATRE. The latest, and one must add, one of I the nicest anil best appointed picture theatres to woo the patronage of Wellington picture-lovers is the new Adelphi Theatre, erected on a large section "at the rear of Hume's Buildings, in Willis Street, which is to be opened on Tuesday evening next. The theatre has been erected for the Adelphi Picture Company by the owner, Mr. Tlios. Coverdale, from the. plans of Messrs. Hoggard and I'rouse, ami it. is rather u model place of its kind. The main approach is from Willis Street, where, by cutting out two shops from Hume's Buildings, a lint 1 spacious entrunce about lifti'l. wide has been provided. This entrance, or foyer, is being finished on" in white plaster, with a finish iif Keen's cement. As the decorative scheme of large, plain panels ami heavy cornices is not over-ornali , , the effect produced is most pleasing, and Hie absence of any colour whatsoever uiltls l« the cliasle spirit of Hie design. The only ornamental relief permitted is the lateral pawls of ornamental glass descending from the ceiling about six or eight foot back from the street entrance, an ingenious device to break up (.ho space overhead. The ticket ollice, solidly constructed in brick, stands well b.nek in the centre of the foyer, dividing it into entrances to tho stalls and dress circle respectively. The stalls' entrance is straight ahead to tho right of the ticket office on the ground floor, and'that to tho dress circle is reached by two flights of concrete stairs, tint rugged strength of which is to lx> hidden wiTFi specially-selected carpet?. TUo theatre itself is a rectangular building 92ft. by 50ft.., with sratingaecommudalioii on the' ground floor for fif>9 people, mid for MO in the dress circle. The ground floor has a "rake" of nno in three, and the gallery is "stepped" in such a manner that it provides everyone nit!) a clear view of the stage. Another factor to the same end is Iho absence of any posts or standards. The enlirii weight of tho gallery is carried on immense sloe! girders which span the. mtire width of the theatre. Tne dress eirclo chairs in the new Adelplii are of Oregon pine, stained and oilod, oiicl the seals and backs nre heavily upholstered. Tim sealu measure 20 inches from arm to arm mid are 18! inches in depth. The one and only disadvantage is that the space between the rows is a little crampd. At the entrance to the dress cirefe is a lounge which extends about Ihioc-paiN the length of the theatre, where at interval time, patrons of both sexes may enjoy a change of air, ami" perhaps refresh themselves at the bufl'ct, which will be located nt the northern end. Tho lounge will be furnished with scul.s, palms, etc. The auditorium is finished in white plaster, the slightly arched ceiling being richly ornamented in' high relief by the artistic creations of- tho Carrara Ceiling Company. The ventilators and electrolier roses are nicely designed, and the electroliers .arc of thp daintiest order. The curved balustrade of the gallery is also tastefully decorated HU.Qrir.rara work. The throw bf.-.tho light : is '50ft, : .and tho machine" (the'latest Gaiimont)- i? contained in' a'-conerotp. apartment at the rear of the. gallery which is erected outside the back wail of the. theatre. The shaft for the light' and" the operator's "peep" are actually -holes-in-tEe main wall of the building, so that when the safety shutters are let down the operator's box is completely detached from the building. From the back of the dress circle a flight of steps lead to the ladies' and gentlemen's cloak rooms, which may also t>o reached from the lounge. There are three exits from the circle and six from the stalls. The orchestral pit if well sunk, and the screen (of medium size) is sloped just sufficiently to secure the fullest and best effect of the light. If at any time it is necessary to use the stage the bottom of the screen frame, which is hung on bolts at tho top, can. be swung back. Messrs. Iloggard and .Pro.uso deserve credit for tho fine theatre- they havo designed. The building has been erected by Messrs. Howie and Matthews. The sub-contractors are —Electric installation, ■'Sir. Tolley; plastering, Mr. Foley; ornamental plaster work, Carrara Ceiling Company; seats, Bird and Jansen; furnishings, Kunli Bros.

The new Adelphi Theatre is to be opened by Mr. A. L. Hcrdman ou Tuesday evening next. Mr. George Nathan is chairman of directors of tho Adelphi Theatre Company, and tho theatre will be managed by Sir. Prank Stirling, for many' years with the firm of J. C. Williamson, Ltd.