GRAND PICTURE THEATRE.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2138, 2 May 1914, Page 3

GRAND PICTURE THEATRE.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING. Many picture ■ theatre-goers will doubtless Ira interested in a short <loteriptioii of the new theatre whi:h is about to be erected in Wellington on ... recently occupied bv iters. 1-1. I l l elder and C 0,., Ltd. Tenders are I already called foi* tiiis building, and it j is hoped to carry out and eompicto the uorii. m time 1-or it to he opened early ill November. The front, elevation of Ci loci to Milliners Street is to be tarried i out til modern Renaissance, giving a very striking effect, and readies to a height of about fit) feet to the top of the parapet. Plans provide for a main enuaucfi ~-t leet wide, with a shop of eitlier side of the entrance. The sp-»ci-°"s entranae will bo brilliantly illuminated by electricity, and will extend for a considerable distance, i'rotu cach sid<; of the main entrance a Gft. stairwav loads ti» a largo foyer 52ft- s 26ft., from winch direct entrance is obtained to the •centre of the circle. The gallery, which .is divided into lower and upper circles, provides seating accommodation for about 70Q patrons, and the total seating accommodation of the theatre -will excoed 1400. The foyer is to be riciily deeorated with fine art ceilings, tho gtmenu colouring scheme to be red and white. A commodious balcony opens off the foyer, overlooking Manners Street, and ample dressing and cloak rooms are also provided, leading off the foyer, also a refreshment stall. A public telephone .?° a feature of tho foyer. By tho division of the circle into galleries, upper and lower, there- will be- no inter* ruption of view' by persons passing in. or out of tile circle, and the x>ubha will, enter from the. centre of tho circle, instead of having to tako the stairs to the back of the gallery, only to walk down the stairs again in search of a scat. The seats provided for, both in tho stalls aud circle, wilt be more roomy aad comfortable tha,a are to be found in any theatre in New Zealand, On the ground floor the nearest seats to the -screen are sonic 20 feet- away, so that patrons will not bo -called upon to sit too near to the picture. Another special feature is the ventilation system, which provides- for a sliding roof, aisd large ventilators to ensure coolness jaiicl freshness in the theatre. In addition, the theatre on tho east side adjoins Lombard Street,, and with a wide court running the full length of the west side, additional ventilation is provided for on each side of the street. Tho interior will bo decorated with fibrous plaster work, and will be richly carpeted and upholstered throughout. The iilii.is are to -be projected fiwii n fireproof room, situated above tho foyer, absolutely self-contained, so that there can be no danger from lira in the operating room., provision is made for the erection of a commodious stage, should it be required in tho future. Although the- building is fireproof throughout, exits are provided opening on to both tliij west court and Lombard Street in the. east-, enabling the theatre to bo -cleared in a few minutes. There aril no posts in tile whole theatre, therefore no obstruction of view, and special att-elatioii has been paid to tho sigstt-lmes, that. patrons will obtain an tuiint-crhiptedi view of tho stage. Tho lighting, which is electric light throughout, is carried oitt on a most extravagant scale, and will bo generated on the premises with a suet-ion gas plant. During the pro- : gress of the picture- entertainment a complete system of concealed lights will add to the general effect. Tho 'whole of. Use lighting and veiitilating is controlled from the operator's box. Ti-ie plans aud specifications have been . prepared by Messrs. Hoggard and Prouso awl W. I-I. Bummer, A.R.LB.A., architects, who have recently designed, several of the best and most modem i picture theatres in Wellington a.ntl J Auckland. * 1