£200,000 THEATRE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2764, 19 March 1910, Page 3 (Supplement)

£200,000 THEATRE.

VAST NEW AMUSEMENT PALACE FOR LONDON. On the site where Hengler’s Circus, London, used to stand in Argyll-street, Oxford-street, a variety theatre is new in course of erection which, when ready for opening in September next, will be the largest music-hall in Great Britain. It is being built for Mr. Walter Gibbons, from designs by Air. Frank Alatcham to seat about 5,000 people, and whqn finished will, including the price paid for the site, have cost £2OO, 000. The auditorium will consist of stalls, boxes, and two vast tiers, the width of the floor space being no less than one hundred feet. Every portion of the interior floors will be carpeted, and even in the circle, as the upper tier is to be called, where sixpence is to be the price of admission, velvet tip-up chairs will be provided. Luxutv and comfort are to be the objects aimed at in the fitting of the interior, and the keynote of the color scheme, which will necessitate the employment of quantities of carved, white marbel, will be white. A great deal of space has been provided in the plans for luncheon, dinner, and tea rooms, no fewer than five of these being arranged for. On the ground' floor there will be one grill and tea room, with tables for the accommodation of a thousand people. Off the main vestibule there will he a hairdresser’s shop for ladies and another for gentlemen; there will also be a reading-room and a free library, with tape machines unfolding the news that comes to hand. The new theatre will either be called tbe Arena or the Palladium.