BRITANNIA THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1925, 6 December 1913, Page 2

BRITANNIA THEATRE

OPENING ON MONDAY WEEK. Still another picture theatre is to bo added to the growing list in the eoiiruo of a fow days! This" is the i:>=w Britannia Theatre, which has been erected oft.tho section adjoimV.p: tlio Duku of Edinburgh Hole! in Manners Street. It is liotublo for its novel and picltiresquo facade. The, elevation consists of an arched opening, winch takes in the full breadth of the theatre in the form e" an are. The lmlcony above the eniram: > is faced with heavy pillars and a balustrade. Thn arched opening is gracefully finished off by an edge of laurel leaves, ill the centre of tho opening tliero ft iil be a. ticket rotunda, neatly glassed hi, Mild behind it aro the entrances lead ins to the ground floor and the dress circle. The interior of the theatre is very tastefully designed. The coiling is arched, and* is discreetly relieved with artistic mouldings in iib'rous plaster, whilst tlio side walls are relieved by fluted Corinthian pilasters, with capitals, the panels between being relieved by pendant medallions, bearing well-modelled busts in moderate relief. The whole the.' e,

which is postless, is fntishod off in wi..to plaster, but, later, when it dtvs, the intention is l<) embellish the interior Scheme with' tints, in nice gradation, commencine with a deep reive red at thn stays and shndiiie off to a delicatc flesh colour at the back of the auditorium, with tho outstanding features picked out in geld and bronze. The theatre, which has a frontal l to Manners Street of 37ft. by a dept of 110 ft., is substantially constructed throughout., and everything, with tho. except inn of th> floors, is Imdt of brick, concrete. or fit cel. Ihc pitch of tho m-ouncl floor am! dress- circle gives ;i perfect lino of sight to everv occupant of a seat. Tlio comfort of patron* h lvoins? studied by providing uiiiiolstered seats, mmiberms abont Mil. The kinematosrap'h apparatus is placed in a room erected above and omskfo the dress circle. This apartment has a cenereto flour, brink walk, and a rcof *if Marsrilles tiles, so thai, it is to all intents and nurpn.es There an> pleniv of esits (incltidin<! one oieht ! " width, openiugou to Willi"? Street-), and n pleasant fresh air Innnne is im'ivn-.ed for dies/-, circle po Irons. in the iveessed baleonv that overlooks Manner* hi reel. ' The theatre has been cm-fed for t>io owners of tho liiiul by Messrs. CiUs]])Ivdl and Urirko, i'rom plans prepared by M'essis. Howard and Tao lessees. Messrs. ,-\, J.-imey ana Co.emaii, intend to open the theatre on Monday week.