Palace of Pleasure.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7719, 23 January 1905, Page 3

Palace of Pleasure.

UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE COLISEUM. In a short time London will possess a palace of amusement which will ibe unequalled throughout Europe. The Coliseum, which is to be opened on Dec. 19, will present so many new architectural features and such a novel programme that it will be in a class apart. The building; in St. Marliii's-lanc, upon which many hundreds of men have been employed for well over a year, is now practically completed, little more remaining to lie done than the decoration «and furnishing of the interior. Armies of workmen are still employed in putting on the finishing touches. The (uastness of the stogio—which will be the largest in London—can only be imagined. The proscenium opening is 55ft. wide, or Bft. more than that of Covcnt Garden, and 17 ft. in excess of Drury Lane. From floor to gridiron it measures "Oft., the lofty space affording an immense aroa flor tho hialreging -off scenery, \vbjch will be shifted by specially devised mechanical arrangements. revolving floors—the outer one 70ft. in diameter—will occupy the centre of the stage. These can either be tin nod independently of each other, or, locked together, made to shift scenery out of sight or to a position where it can be seen by the audience, in a few seconds. Spectacular shows' of great magnificence, and oven real horse races, are to form part of the programmes and four performances are to be given every day. An orchestra, with Mr Walter Slaughter to direct it, and a permanent chorus of fifty voices-, who will sing in a special balcony, will form part of the musical scheme which Mr Oswald Stoll and his lieutenant MiMarshall Moore, a re now occupied in perfecting.

n 1 ? 0 C , oliseum > «s announced in the "any Mail last year, will seat 4,000 people, and will provide in the building every convenience for visitors including restaurants, handsome waiting lounges, barbers' shops, anil read-ing-ro oms. 0 ms.