Huge Theatre Opens in London

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 816, 9 November 1929, Page 26

Huge Theatre Opens in London

SEATS 3,500 PEOPLE

London's latest theatre —the Dominion—which opened recently, is different from any oilier that has ever been erected in London.

It stands in a central position at the end of Tottenham Court Load, near the junction with New Oxford Street; and it stretches hack over what was once the Meux's brewery site —where, in fact, many years ago (in 1814) the huge beer vat collapsed and eight people were drowned in porter. This theatre is unusual, partly because it is of great size and seats nearly 3,500 people, but largely because of the comfort it affords to everyone in every part of the house, irrespective of price. From the stalls to the top-most part of the balcony, the seats are upholstered in comfort, with space to move and pass. In every part there are large refreshment rooms and decent retiring-rooms, and those who can only afford to pay little for their seats are not reminded of their poverty by a bare board and a garret. This is the complete answer to the talkies. Incidentally, the prices here will compare very fabourably with those of the supei’-cinema. In planning, also, (he theatre is different from any other. There is space to move. One enfers into a great entrance hall or foyer decorated in a scheme of blue and silver. This has monumental staircases rising up on either side to the dress circle foyer. The staircase continues up in the most intei-esting way, for it is open, and all its flights may be seen from below. The vast auditorium makes a most impressive picture. There are the great curved sweeps of seats: the stalls, dress circle and balcony. The walls and lofty ceiling are decorated in a scheme of pare blue and silver. The theatre is very wide at the back —a matter of nearly 120 ft —and it converges at the sides toward the proscenium. It is almost as wide as it is deep. This gives a very good acoustic shape, and no matter where one sits one has the feeling of intimacy with the stage.

The stage itself is one of the largest in London. It is a hundred feet in depth and forty feet in width, and it has been equipped so that the most elaborate . scenic effects may be obtained.

•‘A Midsummer Night's Dream'' will be given for six matinees only at the ~ St. James's Hall. Sydney, by Arthur Greenaway. He has gathered around him a company of both professionals and amateurs of high capabilities, and he will play Bottom, the Weaver, himself. The dresses and effects will be supplied by J. C. illiamson, Ltd. When he presented "The Di'eam." as it is affectionately called by all students at the Conservatorium, some little time ago. the demand for seats was so great and the crowds so dense that the police had to be called in to keep the doors from being rushed.

Gus Bluett was wired for to come back from the west and take the part of the comic sparring partner in

“Hold Everything” that Alfred Frith played in Sydney. Mr. Bluett was being a star in his own right over in the West. Leo Franklyn will remain to play his part in “Show Boat." and so that cast will not be disturbed.