THEATRE ROYAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3787, 16 April 1891, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

The Implements Effected

The large audiences which thronged to hear the phonograph some few days back, had very little idea of the amount of work that has been going on during the past few weeks, the whole of the stage scenery having been painted in a most artistic manner, the scenes consisting of one handsome drawing room, one forest, one rural landscape, one lake, oae gtiden, one light landscape, one ' rocky pass,' one wood scene, and one library, with wings etc to match, whilst Mr Briggs, the artist, is at present eiigjig* d on the proscenium and drop scene. The proscenium is to be finished in the Corinthian order, with tinted panels and gold mouldings, surmounted by an emblematical device representing music, mirth and the drama, with the words "Advance Mastcrton " superimposed. The drop scene, which Mr Briggs is now engaged upon, will be similar to the one destroyed in the first Wellington Opera House, viz., Stratford on Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, surrounded with cream coloured satin drapery, with gold eui6roidery, etc. At the completion of this work, it is intended to re-open the Theatre with an amateur performance in which some of the most prominent Masterton amateurs will take part, the programme of which will be made public in a few days. After the opening, Mr Barnard, to whose spirit of enterprise these reforms are due, intends to start Mi Briggs on the decoration of the auditorium, on the ceiling of which will be represented " The Four Seasons," and the sides will be embeK lished with eight large panels containing local views. The front of the circle is to be decorated with scroll work and medallions. With a new piano, new and improved seating accommodation, new skates, and other improvements, amongst which may be mentioned au improved system of liglriug both the s;age und the body of the hall, Masterton will be able to boast of the possession of a theatre second to none in the Australasian colonies.