Untitled

New Zealand Listener, Volume 37, Issue 936, 19 July 1957, Page 11

Sir -It is clear from the trend of Mr. Meldrum’s article that in designing a hall for both concert and dramatic performance, the emphasis was placed on music. The result is that [the Lower Hutt Town — Hall’s] suitability for theatrical productions is now limited, as we found when we staged Extravaganza there. The flexible proscenium arch was of no practical value, and had to be used closed to its narrowest limit. We would have preferred, in order to use more stage, to have extended the = sliding doors, but found that by doing so the mechanics of the stage became visible to the audience, as did the cast proceeding to the rehearsal-room, so called, which had to be used as a dressing

room. The possible advantage of the flexible proscenium wall is offset by the fact that the "side splays" (solid wooden wings, made of 4in. by 2in. timber, and covered with 3-ply, bolted to the floor) are not equally mobile. No theatrical performance can be satisfactorily staged while these side splays remain in position. Not only is it difficult to move properties and scenery on to the stage, but also access for the players is restricted. The diffuser reflector presents the same drawbacks, and with the side splays forms a continuous barrier to access to the rear ‘of the acting area. Mr Meldrum says all this can be easily removed, but we were informed that this would take a team of men at least three hours and that it would involve structural damage. Because a large rehearsal room has been placed immediately above the stage it is not possible to fly any backdrops or elaborate scenery of any sort. This is a major defect in a theatre which, because of its size, can only house the larger and more spectacular type of production. The simpler staging of intimate drama is catered for by the Lower Hutt Little Theatre, and would be-lost in the vastness of the Town Hall. The same difficulty besets the overhead lighting of the stage from the light battens. It is not possible to raise or lower these battens to any effective extent because of the limited space. As there is no means of masking these battens other than with the head reflectors, these reflectors must remain in position, thus effectively preventing the introduction of any further sources of light, traverse curtains or other stage effects, such as flying Peter Pan. The spot bar is so placed behind the tabs that it is visible to the audience, and if it is raised out of sight it becomes of little use. Thus the stage is inadequately lit. The five front of house spotlights (clearly an afterthought) do not reach the main acting area. Footlights have been installed but they are so placed as to cast unfortunate shadows which cannot be eliminated because of the absence of any other source of light. Acoustically "the actor finds the ‘theatre a difficult one to play in. He is constantly under the impression that he is not making contact with his audience. As a result, actor and audience drift further apart. Our experience was that, as a theatre, the Lower Hutt Town Hall was a disappointment. Every other city in New Zealand has a theatre capable of accommodating visiting professional theatre companies and amateur productions of opera and musical comedy. It is a pity that Lower Hutt will be unable to enjoy these attractions with the facilities as they are at present. Once again, through failure to seek expert theatrical advice, a vast sum of public money has been spent to build, not a multi) but a semi-purpose hall.

W. N.

SHEAT

and

G. I.

RICH

(Wellington).