THE NEW THEATRE.

Evening Star, Issue 4093, 8 April 1876, Page 3

THE NEW THEATRE.

As the new Princess's Theatre is rapidly progressing towards completion* a clearer idea, can be formed-of its proportions and adaptation to the purpose for which it is designed than when we last described it. Since that time, on the space fronting High street, which was left blank, buildings capable of being utilised as shops or offices have been erected on each side of the spacious entrance to the dress circle. These, as well as the entrance ball, are still unfinished, but they promise to be very suitable and even elegant structures. Branching right and left from the entrance ball is a wide promenade, completely surrounding the back of the circle; and on each side are dressing rooms, which, we understand, will be fitted up with washstands and every convenience. Separating the promenade from the seats below is an ornamented screen framed and panelled, about 4ft 2in in height, very neatly finished and varnished. As the screen, althoughsufficiently high to form a complete protection to the highest row of seats, is,of veiy convenient height fpr seeing the stage by those who prefer to stretch their legs occasionally to sitting throughout an evening’s performance, we predict that this part of the theatre will be very extensively patronised. The seats in the circle, the contract for which has been taken by Messrs Findlay and Co., will be exceedingly comfortable; great care having been taken to adopt that form which is conducive to the most complete repose. Each seat is separate, with stuffed cushions, arms, and backs. They are being covered with crimson cloth, and will have a very brilliant appearance when finished. So far as Hew Zealand is concerned, a novelty has been introduced in tfaeir construction, although it has been adopted and found a great convenience in many modem theatres. The seats, instead of being rigid and stationary, turnon a pivot near the centre; and they may thus be raised from the horizontal to vertical position

inorder to give more room for people to pass, . so that the sitter, on rising, by turning the cushion can step back into a slight recess, and thus facilitate the passing and re-passing of others without experiencing the inconvenience or annoyance of toes being trodden upon, tangled dresses, or stumbling peripa tetics. We need not say that this arrangement will be felt to be a very great comfort, especially as it in no way detracts from the stability of the seat when used. This, however, is not the only advantage. Another which will be fully appreciated by ladies is . that, when not in use, the seat can be turned and placed in such a position that dust will not lodge upon the cushion. The form of the circle is'very elegant—

not departing-much from that of the old theatre, which could scarcely be excelled, although with some improvement in placing the seats. Every seat commands a full view of the stage. The unsightly side-boxes which interrupted the view from many points . in the old theatre are not reproduced, and there are only two private boxes, one on each side, immediately overlooking the stage. The seats in the stalls and pit are hot yet completed, but from those we have seen we conclude they will be arranged with every regard to comfort. Of course they are but extended forms, but sufficient room is allowed between them, and they are well finished, strong, and very firm. So far as decorations are concerned, there will be nothing gaudy. Everything is quiet, neat, and elegant. The cupola, from the centre of which the central gasalier will be suspended, is an ornamented dome, divided into ten panels, surrounded by spandrill arches with cut tracery panels, supported on eight columns. The whole of the scaffold- 1 ing was not removed when we inspected the theatre, so that we could notreaUse the full effedfc of this arrangement; but from the style of decoration we conclude that care has been taken to use those colors that will produce the best effect by gaslight. The rest of the ceiling is divided into panels, and colored light grey -an atmospheric tint—with stencilled beams in relief.

E:cteriorly the circle is surrounded by panels cut in oriiainental patterns. Departing from the usual ogee form, a flat panel has been, .adopted with good effect. This portion of tbe decorations has required more than . usual care and skill, as each division differs in dimensions from the rest and required - sepan vte treatment. The tracery is of elegant pattoi -n, and’the plinths are ornamented with medallion pictures. The chasings are stencilled in gold, and the general color being , nearlh/ white the effect is very good. So far as till e preparations for lighting are concerns d we are unable to say much, although from what is done it is fair to presume that equal : care will be given to this department as to the other arrangements. What little is to be* seen justifies this conclusion. Avery elegamt gasalier is already in situ, and we unde a stand an equally handsome globe will be added to it. The gas fittings in di ilferent parts of the house will be quasi class riciil—elegant, and we suppose meaning som cthfng, but what it is we are by no means .cert ain. They are images neither of things that; fiy nor things that creep, nor things that, walk, nor things that crawl, nor things that swim. : They do not represent mermaid s, nor amazons, nor Minerva, nor saintessea, but they present points suggestive of all. It is impossible to decide whether the designer proposed the attenuated, united, ejcten-ded, and elegantly curved lower extreomties to represent a fish’s or a dragon’s tail. There is less mystery about the bust and head, which are unmistakeably those of a wo>man; because, as we presume, flame instead of kisses are intended to proceed from her lips, she must be pronounced to be a> representation of a veritable spi tfire. Neither can she be placed in the class with unprotected females, as on htir breast a shield is moulded that suggests tht' idea of an ironclad—or perhaps it may bo a symbol of defiance, meaning

“You cannot reach my heart.” Having thus attempted to divine the designer’s idea, Vf'e give it lip, sitpposing, as a last effort to Solve the enigma, the artist may have meant that in theseonr woman is wily as the serpent or dragon, oo.ld as a saint, capable of oreathing thoughts that bum and of shedding light upon the world and, having the protection of the breast-plate of righteousness, can cast Iter brilliant light upon the sayings and doings’ hi a theatre. Our guesses are exhausted. TViten some five thousand years’ hence those images are unearthed; we should like—vain thought!—to kndw what interpretation will bo put on the symbolical meaning of the new gas fittings of the Princess’s Theatre. The Evening Star will be forgotten, as well as the daily lights that obscure the truth—we fear therefore ourgeneration will be classed among the primitives who chopped wood with dint, and twirled sticks to procure fire. Even Charles Bright and his nusunderstanders will be forgotten, or, if remembered, maybe associated with the worshippers of Shakespeare, whose symbols may be imagined to have been discovered. Of stage preparations we are .not able to r judgis,. although those that are visiMe are carefully made, and the beirt machinery. .. seems to have been adapted to the side scenes. All this part of , the , | preparations is in a state of great forward* : ' ness,aad we imagine in a fortnight or three ■ weeek« the theatre will he ready for theatrics’ oal rep.reaentations._we hear that it is intended to celebrate its opening by a well-de-served benefit to Mr Siboald. It is only a tumor,, hut we shall be glad if it prove' well fonnd< }d, for through his enterprise Dunedin

will be in possession of one of the hand* somest and most comfortable theatres in the Colonies. We have already stated that it was designed by Messrs Mason and Wales, and built by Mr Walter Bell; but these are not the only persons Who have contributed their energy and skill to carrying out the design. To the care, vigilance, and talent of Mr Philip Davis, clerk and superintendent of the works, much of their successful completion is owing. Mr Davis was overlooker of the alterations so successfully made in the old theatre by the late Mr David Hunter, and there earned that reputation for skilful supervision which he has now so well established. To his untiring energy in a great measure may be attributed the rapid progress of the work.