A FINE PLAYHOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1933, 16 December 1913, Page 16

A FINE PLAYHOUSE.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE;

A CREDIT TO WANGANUI.

Wanganui is apparently quite fixed in its purposo of not being behind in anything tuat conduces to the pleasure and convenience of tho public. For years tho Municipal Opera House has sufficed for tho needs of tho town, but as in cverything'elso tho years take their toll oven from a theatre, and tho old must give way to tho new, and so it was decided that a. now playhouse was needed in Wanganui, and a syndicate of farseeing gent lemon got together to attend to tho matter. A magnificent central site was secured on tho corner of Victoria Avenue and Maria Place (across tho placo from Chavanno's Hotel), tho money was raised, and Mr. Henry E. White's services. were ob,.„tained as, architect. \Tbis theatre was opened in November, and all who have visited it in tho meantime aro loud in praising it as 0110 of tho best) the- < atres . in the. whole of tho Dominion. The building, as is shown, in tho acconw Jianying illustration, is' both handsome and substantial; There is weight and dignity in the design of the facade, and tho dome ;tower that rises from tho corner to a'considerable height : ■above tho building itself is a feature which lends architectural repose and strength to the now block. Commercial considerations had to ho taken into account when the building was planned, which meant that tho entrances to tho theatre had to be placed at tho side of the building in Maria Placo, leaving ihe frontage to Victoria Avenue free, for the shops below and office suites above. The shops aro all large, lofty, and central, and all are fitted with the ! latest style of show windows (Muntz jnotal frames), in which every,inch of space may he utilised for the display of goods. The shops aro protected by a broad balcony verandah, which covers <ho wholo of the sidewalk. Above this the full effect of the design appears. The building is finished in red pressed brick, with cement facings, _ tho outstanding' featuro being tho discreet ar«i:angeraent of ionic columns on either iide of the pilasters. The arrangement of these columns gives tho appearance <)f depth.and.solidity .to'.the structure. Tho new His Majesty's Theatre is ■builtf for tho future. Tho internal scheme is one with which no structural fault can be found.. , Mr. White is iftlways careful to design his auditoniims so that,a full view of the stage •iiay ho obtained from every seat in the house, 1 and in this connection ho has been-most-successful. Viewed • from every point (side and top seats m- ... eluded) the full area of the stage meots the oyo. To obtain this effect, Mr. White appears to make tho proscenium opening (or rather an arc drawn : from side to side of' the opening) a segment of a circlo, which gives a fino sweep 'to tho dress circle and gallery, and at ojjco ensures a,perfect line of sight.' Xho ' theatre' seats 1650. persons. : . In the dress circle and orchestral stalls the 'seats are iron-framed "tip-ups," comfortably -upholstered in the - back and scat, and finished off in rich red plush, which gives & warm tone-to,the house. The ornate plastor work that adorns the ceiling, balustrades, and proscenium, is in excellent taste, and: is,tho product of some- very excellent modelling. Mention should bo made of the two beautiful femalo figures which recline on the arc of tho proscenium, representing tho music and the drama.' The main entrance from Maria Place admits to a broad stairway, which . .terminates in a small foyer, off which; tho. ladies' and gentlemen's cloak rooms .'open. The dress circle swing-doors also open off the foyer, admitting to tho centre of tho circle. The.gallery 1 has a. separate entrance, and here tho skill of the architect is shown by th'e: ; manner in which lie has eased olf the climb as far as ' the stairway, entrance .is concerned. The stage is splendidly • equipped to accommodate any class of show—from a picture entertainment to a pantomime, from a farce to a Wagnerian opera. It has tho breadth, the i depth,, and the height to suit anything, in 'the way of theatrical entertainments. Fly-gal-leries and grid-iron are in position, and a stock of scenery is now stored, in the theatre ready for any tenant who wishes to use it. This scenery has been painted by Messrs. Clint and Son, of Sydney, and is quite now and serviceable for any show not having a full equipment of its own. Special attention has been paid to the ventilation of the theatre, which is regulated by air shafts, which-can be manipulated to the nicest point, fixed in the highest part of the ceiling at the back of the auditorium. Ample dressing-room accommodation is provided at the side of, and underneath, : the stage. Tho now His Majesty's, which would graco any city, was built by Mr. N. Meuli from tho plans of Mr. Henry E. ■< White, and the work has been well and truly done,, and in that general commendation is included tho work of the / many sub-contractors. Next year tho owners of, the'theatre will probably reliave tho dead .whiteness of tho plaster work by a little artistic tinting, which if dono in, accord with tho colours used in tho upholstering and curtain should add life and warmth to one of tho finest > in tho Dominion. His jfasesty's is at present leased to Messrs. ' John Fuller and Sons, but that firm is prepared to sub-let the theatre to any ; 'company requiring dates.