STAGE AND HOUSE

Evening Star, Issue 19663, 16 September 1927, Page 2

STAGE AND HOUSE

m LIBHTIHB SYSTEM HSTAUEI AT PRINCESS THEATRE Mr Burlon (New Zealand manager) and Mr John Hamer (Dunedin manager) have, tor some considerable time, been contemplating an up-to-date system of electric lighting lor vaudeville effects, and in conjunction with Mr F. J. O’Neill, electrical engineer, have laid out a complete new scheme for the Princess Theatre, Originally the electrical scheme was 110 volts; this was obtained by a motor-driven generator, the motor taking 400 volts, and f the generator delivering 110 volts. This has now been done away with, and the whole of the lighting put direct on to Waipori. The results are very much more satisfactory, and, in the event of a complete breakdown of Waipori, a 230-volt generator has been installed, which will be driven by a stand-by gas engine, so that if a breakdown did occur, in less than three minutes the plant would bo in operation, and by the use of a throw-oyer switch the house circuits would immediately be disconnected from the council supply and connected to the stand-by plant, which is the same voltage. An inspection of the' whole system is very interesting; it is a credit to the Fullers’ management. The _ exit lights, eleven in number, are of the latest design. Originally they were illuminated by oil, as exit lights must be controlled by an independent source, for, in the event of a lire and a breakdown in the • lighting system, these must be kept burning; hence the use of oil. These are now all linked up from a 100 amp. 12-volt accumulator, which is automatically charged by a battery charger, and, in the event of anything going wrong with the lighting system, these’ exit boxes would keep alight and point the way out for _ twenty hours before requiring recharging. The Dunedin City Council delivers 400 volts to tho engine room, whore its system of metering is placed. From here the wires are brought under tho floor to the stage; this is done by the use of three-phase wires and a solid neutral, _ the lot being encased in a heavy pipe and delivered to a master ironclad enclosed switch on the switchboard. As this board has to carry 400 volts, groat care is necessary, as, from the time the show opens until it closes, operators are in constant attendance manipulating tho different circuits and colored lighting effects. As this switchboard has to be in a convenient position, there is always a risk of artists, standing alongside waiting their call, being tempted to touch any unguarded so, to overcome any such risk, a special ironclad switchboard has been designed, and to get a shock anyone would have to deliberately interfere with the whole arrangements. Tho whole of the switching and fusing is controlled in strong ironclad boxings, each circuit having its own switching arrangements, and the whole being mounted on angle iron frames. The whole of the pipes carrying the wire arc led into the switches, the switchboard being absolutely foolproof and no exposed connections anywhere. As a further precaution, any switch can be locked and put right out of commission. This switchboard is so guarded and shock-proof that it could he worked under the most severe conditions, every part being efficiently earthed._ Tho proscenium lights, which have a ways been at the side of the stage in view of the audience, will he dispensed with, and special fittings erected on the wings. These will lie of tho red, white and blue pattern, and will be mounted on strong brackets and be on swivels to allow of adjustments for any angle. Ample provisions bnvo been allowed for pings under the stage, and these will feed the side “ spots ” for stage effects. New border lights aro to bo installed, which will be of the latest pattern, having 150 -J-watt lamps and special reflecting shades. The footlights are to have special attention. The whole of tho front of the stage is to ho altered by lowering and special recessed concealed lighting mounted in troughs, with 150 J-watt lamps, with angle reflectors, giving several different color effects operated 1 from the controlling devices on tho main board.

The main house lighting has had attention, and the results are a much better system. The operator’s box has also been overhauled, and a special direct coupled 70-volt set installed, which mill bo used solely for arc light and color effects.

The whole of the work is being carried out by the British Electrical and Engineering Company, Limited, and the change over is being done so ns not to interfere with the daily use of tho theatre. Messrs Fuller, Ltd., have some further lighting effects which will bo added in tho near future, and Dunedin will then have the most up-to-date system of lighting for a vaudeville theatre in Australia or New Zealand, and with provisions for any company that may come along.