THE CARTERTON LYCEUM.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2128, 24 October 1885, Page 2

THE CARTERTON LYCEUM.

Mr Thomas Bennett has just completed thecontract for the openingof the Lyceum, adjoining Mr Bishop's White Hart Hotel, in Belvedere road, Carterton, The building was designed by Mr Fannin, of Masterton, who has sucoeeded in giving it ft very neat appearance outside, while the inside is most conveniently arranged, and decorated in a thoroughly artistic style. The main entrance is from Belvedere road, and is through two large folding doors. These lead into a vestibule measuring Bft by Bft, and another pair of doors leads into the main hall, whioh measures 24ft by 50ft. The lining is painted a salmon color, while thewainscot below is of a corresponding color, but a shade darker, The ceiling is skyblue—a color which we must confess we do not like to see applied for suph a purpose, though the cqntrast is, by nq mean's, bad. Tlje occupies the full vpidtli of the l)i)ilding, but js, of cqurs'oj jiarrqwed by the sceilgry, Behind it are twq very neat dressing rooms, which are to be thoroughly furnished. They will in this respect surpass everything of the kind in the Wairarapa, for at all other theatres it is cpnsiclered sufficjent to prpvido something l|ke f} cqEn-tjin as a retiring room for performers, Qn the riglit 'of the entrance is a waiting room, through which access is gained to the stairs leading to the gallery, winch will seat fifty pqrjpia. Qn tho left hand side js the ticket office. Tlje total seating accommodation of the building is 400. Chairs will be provided in feint, and forn]s for the back seats, Returning tq the stage, we find that some oxgellent scenery fog been provided, The drop-sceno represents a fine view of Gibraltar, as seen from the mainland, with the coast of Africa in the distance. It is the work of Mr T. Donnelly, of Masterton, whose previous efforts as a scenic artist were a sufficient guarantee that the work could not be entrusted to better hands. The view is a most attractive one, and being one of the Strongholds of Great ig iflqst pirqpriativt;, Other pcenery has also Been provided, upwards of £IOQ having been expended on the stage alone, Tl]e hall is supplied with one of Nciimeyer's celebrated iron-framed pianos, purchased from Mr W, H, Spiller, The furnishing has been entrusted to Messrs Rising and Cox, of Carterton. The contract has been faithfully carried out by Mr T. Bennett. The painting has been done by Mr Campin. On Friday evening next the building will be used for the first time, when an invitation ball will b@ gjvep. The fqrmal opening is to take place on tlie mgli't of't]ie Pastoral £hqw,wiien a concept anc} M will be given. The management of the Lyceum has been intrusted to llr Foley, ij} whope hands it should prove most successful,