HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2465, 1 April 1909, Page 4

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS

The extensive improvements at present being carried-cut in His Majesty’s Theatre are expected t-o be completed in about a week,/ anti when finished the building will be one of the most comfortable in the Dominion. The front of the theatre has been carried out another six feet on the pavement, and the extra space thus gained has been utilised not only in enlarging the rooms on the ground floor, hut the staircase leading up to the circle is now much more convenient, and the old sharp turn at the head of the first flight of steps is now done away with. In its place there is now a short passage way, connecting the two flights, and the new arrangement will doubtless be much more convenient for patrons of this portion of the house. In the past maincomplaints have been made regarding the confined nature of the dressingrooms at the head of the stairway. Both of these rooms have now been very considerably enlarged, and the gentlemen’s room, in particular,, is a vast improvement- on the old one, as it is particularly roomy, and instead of having to crowd through a door measuring 2ft 4in, there is now a door of Gft in width, affording ample room for ingress and egress simuitaneous’y. Neither of these rooms is quite completed as yet. but, when finished, they will be. mostconvenient, and the walls are to be covered with a paper of pretty pattern. The vestibule is much more roomy than heretofore, and has been, fitted* with a nicely-ornamented steel ceiling. This portion of the building is also to be papered with a wallpaper of handsome design. An innovation, and one that is sure to be. keenly relished by patrons, is a large balcony, access to which is gained from the vestibule bv means of swing doors. The balcony is about 14ft in width, and runs the whole breadth of the frontage of the building. It is to be covered in, and besides providing an ideal spot for the waits between the acts, will no doubt greatly relieve the congestion which has hitherto been experienced in the vestibule and on the stairway. Inside the dress circle the benefit of the improvements becomes even more apparent. An additional row of seats has been provided, giving accommodation for fifty extra persons, and even with this addition to the seating accommodation, it has been found possible to double the width of the passage way ah the back of the circle. With a view to obviating as far as possible the discomfort caused by the heat on summer nights, special attention has been paid to the question of ventilation. The ceiling, which is a richly ornamented steel one, has been raised for a portion of the distance by 12 inches, and at the rear for a good way by 3ft. A large skylight has been set* in* just over the door, which will continually be open, and at the eastern end a window has been placed, .and the proprietors anticipate that these alterations will have the desired effect in increasing the comfort of patrons, by providing purer and bettor air. On the eastern side of the buillding, high up near . the proscenium, two additional windows have been let in to the wall, also for ventilation purposes, and as such, a>-c sure lo prove most useful. The walls of the circle have already been covered with a paper of a rich dark r;d color, and it is proposed, to clflic walls of the entire building ineide with the 'stare mater.:*!. It is a handsome paper, a: presenting a vVd coni rust to vhc. white and gold of the ornamental cerium . gives the- building a most cosy ami comfortable appearance. Additional fire escapes are to be provided from the • balcony, in addition to the numerous emergency exits throughout the building, and when the alterations are oetnpler.od the ■proprietors anticipate that the theatre, will be one of the most comfortable in the Dominion. The enlarging of the dressing rooms, both upstairs and down, and' the office at the entrance are expected to considerably enhance the value of the building for the purpose of holding dances, socials, and other gatheringstof a similar kind, and the proprietors are to lie commended for their efforts in endeavoring to promote tho comfort of the public generally. The total cost of the alterations and additions to the structure will bo about CSOO. Air. F. J. Wilson, sour., was the architect, and the work is being carried out entirely to the satisfaction of the proprietors by Messrs Joint Somervell and Sons, the contractors,