The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

September 9, 1931 The fire curtain covering the proscenium opening weighs tons. It is covered on the front with thick asbestos cloth, and the back with steel plates. It can be lowered either from the stage or from outside the theatre automatically. The theatre can be emptied comfortably within two minutes, the exists having been definitely designed to accomplish this. Uses 500 kw. per Hour Special attention has been given to the lighting, which has been installed on an elaborate scale to provide restfulness and to harmonise with the general architectural effects. The total electrical installation in the theatre will consume approximately 500 kw. of electric light per hour. This approximates to 1,000,000 candle power of electrical energy, this current being required for the operation of motors, lighting in the auditorium and foyers, stage effect lighting, signs and outside illumination. On the stage, provision has been made for the production of the most elaborate scenic and lighting effects. The stage lighting equipment is on the very latest principles known to theatre electrical engineers, and any setting from grand opera to variety can be produced without any additional apparatus being required. The huge electric illuminated sign at the front of the house measures 50 ft. in length and is one of the largest vertical signs of its kind in England. It shows the word " Paramount,” and is studded with 5,000 lights. The number of lights employed throughout the building totals 12,000. Highly Original Harold Uniforms The whole of the uniform dress worn by the attendants has been supplied by Messrs. Alfred Harold (Uniforms), Ltd., of Wardour Street, London. The females are attired in a distinctive dress of trousers and blouse together with berets. The males are attired in a uniform on the lines of the officers’ mess uniform. The colourings of the uniforms and costumes are predominantly French grey and apricot, which tones with the general colour scheme in the theatre. Each female member of the staff wears a large ribbon bow of a gold shade across the front of the blouse ; this is exclusive to the Paramount circuit, for whirh it has been specially designed. The gowns worn by the chocolate girls are black and rose pink costumes on flowing lines. The high collars are rose coloured, the dresses have rose coloured cuffs, and there is rose facing at the bottom of the dress which lends a most attractive appearance to the ensemble. Gold-Plated Lobby Fittings All fittings in the lobbies and foyers are 9 ct. gold-plated to avoid the metal turning black in course of time. The walls of the grand foyer are decorated with oil paintings by famous artists to the value of approximately ^3,000. A large luxurious cafe, with accommodation for 200 people, has been provided in the basement. Meals will be served from a model kitchen, where everything will be done by electricity. A symphony orchestra of first-class musicians forms a feature of the theatre, and will be composed of thirty musicians under the direction of Anton, the famous conductor and violinist from the Opera House, Milan, the Brussels Conservatoire and the Queen’s Hall, London. The house is under the supervision of Leslie C. Holderness, and the general management is in the hands of C. Ronald Young, from the Plaza Theatre, London. The complete personnel of the theatre is composed of over 200 people. The house manager is Pat L. O’Connor, from the London Plaza. The theatre will open at 12 o’clock each day. MODERN CINEMA TECHNIQUE Great ingenuity has been shown in utilising the site in Bury New Road, Prestwich, near Manchester, where the Astoria, which opened on September 3rd, has been built. In the first place, part of the site was a hollow, and this has been turned to advantage by placing the auditorium floor below the ground level, quite an unorthodox, but a successful expedient ; the frontage is on the main road. Charles Swain & Partners, of Manchester, were responsible for the lay-out of the building. This is provided with modern appointments, and conforms in every respect and in an even generous manner, with all the local bye-laws and regulations. Faced with rustic brick and having a terra-cotta entrance, relieved with coloured ornamentations, also in terra-cotta, the frontage is at once bold and arresting, without being in any sense strident. Large Ballroom with Balcony Over the main entrance hall, which is generously proportioned, is a foyer giving convenient access to the theatre itself. From the ground floor a staircase leads to the rear stalls and to the rear balcony, of which part is only a few feet above the street level. Access to the front stalls entrance is given by a wide set of concrete steps on the right hand outside of the building. On the opposite side of the building there is another concrete staircase from the front balcony exit door, and a third from the stalls exit door, joining up with a pathway at the bottom of the hall, which is about level with the streets at the rear of the theatre. Below the entrance hall and the rear stalls (in the basement) there is a lofty ballroom, which has a balcony for spectators. The ballroom will be completed in a few weeks’ time. On the first floor there is a large cafe to accommodate 150 persons. Successful Handling of Awkward Site From this brief description it must be obvious that the architects had an unusual problem with which to grapple when they were called upon to plan a suitable building for such an awkward site. That they have done so with such complete success is indeed a tribute to their inventiveness and dexterity. Seating accommodation is provided for 2,000 persons, about 1,400 seats constituting the stalls, with the remainder in the balcony. The whole of the fibrous plaster and decorative work has been designed in conjunction with the architects, in the studios of Goodalls, Manchester, and carried out by their staff. General design of the auditorium strikes an entirely novel note in theatre decoration, and embodies features which, in conjunction with the work of the electrical engineer, are innovations. A finely arched proscenium with a cove formed of gilded angular facets is so designed that the coloured lights thrown on to these facets from a hidden source, give the appearance of a multicoloured glass frame enclosing the stage. Each of the splayed walls flanking the proscenium is formed into three imposing archways, the centre one rising above those on either side and being crowned with a coved shell-like pediment. The pilasters which separate the panels on these walls show features for concealed lighting carried out in fibrous plaster, the design being based on the lotus flower. Each pilaster THE BIOSCOPE has four of these flowers, which merge into one another and increase in size as they rise upward to the blue of an Italian sky of the painted coved ceiling. The top flower is 8 ft. in diameter and each flower, which is delicately tinted in tones of green and orange, is floodlighted from the concealed lights of the flower below. A fine motif is introduced in the centre panel of each of the side walls, this being formed of fibrous plaster tracery on a gold background, under which is a semi-circular fluted bowl, carried out in French gilt, containing multi-coloured lighting effects. Other fibrous plaster features, a channelled cornice and gilded dome, give further opportunities for intriguing lighting effects, while under the balcony inverted fibrous plaster bowls, decorated in gold and colour, are a feature of the decorative scheme. The larger surfaces of the walls throughout the theatre and the back panel of the main ceiling are carried out in heavily textured plastic paint in shades of orange and primrose and flecked with gold, these walls being a splendid foil for the richer colouring of the main walls of the auditorium, which are multi-coloured and gilded to give the effect of a jewelled oriental damask. Centralised Illumination All the furnishings of the theatre have been executed in rich autumnal tints, the contractors being Maple & Co., Ltd., of London. The carpet is plain Saxony pile of autumn red, while the seating is covered in a plain moquette in a lighter tone of the same colour. All the seats are 20 ins. wide and 16£ ins. deep, the woodwork being polished natural colour. The main stage curtain is of velour, appliqued in green satin, the material blending with the general theatre decorative treatment, and the orchestra rail and exit door curtains are of bright green velour, the whole forming a harmonious tone. The lighting effect, stage curtain and stage draperies were supplied by Walturdaws, these being in silver grey with multi-coloured futurist design. Stage dimensions are 40 ft. wide by 20 ft. deep. In the auditorium the main sources of illumination are from one beautiful central fitting, 7 ft. in diameter, built up of satin rimpled and raindrop glass panels, illuminated by 3,200 candle-power, and two units of similar design 5 ft. in diameter, erected over the balcony. In addition to these there is effect lighting in colours from the central dome, carrying 3,000 candle-power, cornice lighting carrying 6,000 candle-power, and the artistic wall features carrying 3,200 candle-power. Walturdaw Projection The proscenium arch is illuminated in colour with 4,800 candle-power. Stage lighting is of the magazine type, foot and top reflectors, with an additional top lighting battery of nine floodlights. Power conversion supply is taken from a sub-station on the premises, specially constructed to provide for the very considerable load. The arc supply is provided from A.C. motor generator sets, having output of 150 amperes at 80 volts. Two Ernemann No. 2 projectors with Artisol “ 75 ” H.I. arcs have been installed (Continued on page xiv.) A Theatre in a Hollow Prestwich Astoria Has Stalls Below Ground