THE THEATRE ROYAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 266, 11 November 1901, Page 2

THE THEATRE ROYAL.

TO BE RENOVATED AND IMPROVED. Thakks to the enterprise of Mr M. J. Jones there seems, at last, every probability that New Plymouth will be provided with a thoroughly up-to-date and commodious Opera House. As will be seen elsewhere. Mr Jones, who has for some years been the lessee of the building, on Thursday completed the' purchase of tha Theatre Poyal from the executors of the estate of the lata P. A. Carrington, and on Friday at his invitation a representative of the News had the pleasure of seeing the plans of the very extensive and admirable improvements which ha intends effecting. The present theatre hag always been too long and narrow, and ' this will be improved by the portion now occupied by the supper-room fMng thrown into the auditorium. The walls will be raised and a new truss roof will cover the whole sp*n. On the floor will be the stalls and pit, while a very handsome horseshoe dress circle will replace the present gallery. The seating will also bs thoroughly modern, cane-seated arm choirs in sets of six with aisles between being use! instead of the insanitary upholstered seats now in use, over-crowding beiug also avoided. The means of ingraes and egress will also be greatly improved by taking a small piece off on« of the shops. Spacial attention hos also been paid to the matter of lightirg, ventilating, and fire escapes. Under the new arrangements the accommodation will be increased so as to provide for 1000 people, while the furthest' back seats of all will be an near the stags as the front of the present gallery. Cloak-rooms and lavatories will also be provided for both ladies and gen'lemen, and Mr Jones hopes to arrange for refreshment or tea rooms close to the dress circle. Downstairs all the so ts will have bicka, the s n ats in the 'fc.ll' being similar to those in the dr> s ■ circle. Here again th« means of access - will be considerably improved, and the comfort of patrons provided for in every possible way. The stage will be altogether remodelled, enlarged, ami completely modernised, and will bo o> e of the largest and most convenient of any in the colony, feet. The roof over th« st<ige will b • raised 24 feet giving a height from the floor to tha gridiron of 42 fee*, Th'* will enable the largest sienery in use to be set up with the snme facility as in the principal towns of the colony. A very convenient gallery will run along each side as well as th« back <.f the stage, giving every facility f-->r working the scenery on the lift-st ap proved plan, effecting a gr>at saving of time. Under the S'age thfi-e will bo five dressing rooms 14x15, aad a i store room 16 x 15, with a passage b-.)-twonn them, with lavatories and ovorv possible convenience. Behind the-.e again are five rooms of similar size Cor the caretaker. Access to these rooms will be given from (he stage, from Bgmont-street and from King-streo-, A moveable partition will also he erected across the stage so that the

back portion can be used as a supper rooui at balls, etc. Shortening the auditorium will enable the shops fronting Devon-street to be, considerably enlarged and improve'!, while the space above, now occupied by the dress (circle, will ba divided into five large offices. Owing to the theatre being engaged the improvements cannot be put in han.l until the end of March, aftsr which date Mr. Jones is declining to book engagements. The ro-t of the,improvements is expected to run into illsoo, not including lighting. Regarding Fghtinj.', Mr. Jon?s is making inquiries with respect to an' electric light installation, intending, if | possible, to utilise the wator power employed to drive the forced air ventilator to work an electric lighting plant. Mr. Jones is certainly to be congratulated on the improvements proposed, which will provide for all that is required in New Plymouth in this line for sjme time to come and bring the town completely up-to-date in the matter of the&tra accommodation.