The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

F.PTEMBER 30, 1931 MODERN CINEMA TECHNIQUE THE BIOSCOPE IX WOLVERHAMPTON RECONS TRUC TION Agricultural Hall Altered by G.-B. Construction of the new Gaumont Palace, which is to take the place of the Agricultural Hall, Wolverhampton’s largest cinema, will be started on immediately, the plans having been passed by the Corporation. The theatre will accommodate nearly 2,000, and will compare with any hall in the Midlands. The present building, which is to be demolished, accommodates 1,600, and is the largest in the town. During the rebuilding operations the Hippodrome, the town’s only variety theatre, in Queen’s Square, is to be converted into a cinema. The Hippodrome, which has passed through many vicissitudes, is owned by the General Theatres Corporation, but both are controlled by the GaumontBritish Picture Corporation, who are responsible for the present scheme. The Western Electric “ talkie ” apparatus at the Agricultural Hall is being transferred to the Hippodrome, where other alterations have been carried out, including an extension of the operating box. An Egg-Shaped Hall In the new cinema the screen will be at the opposite end to the present, and the main entrance from Snow Hill instead of the comer, giving access to the rear of the hall. There will be an extra wide screen, a full stage, with adequate dressing-rooms, suitable for stage performances. As the site is an irregular one — though one of the finest in the town, with frontages to three streets — It will be necessary in the new cinema to erect an inner wall, and this will make the hall egg shaped, with flattened ends. The plans have been prepared by W. E. Trent, F.S.I., staff architect to GaumontBritish, and the contractors will be McLaughlin <£ Harvey, London. Examination of the plans shows that a floor will be of concrete, the walls of brick, and there will be a steel roof, covered with asbestos tiles. The plenum system of ventilation will be installed. There will be accommodation for 1,200 people in the stalls and 600 in the balcony, with special standing space on the floor for another 100 people. There will be two central gangways in addition to the very wide gangways at the ■ides, and the general planning is very fine. Extensive Canopies The entrance will give access to a broad lobby. From this will be entrances to the stalls and stairways to the balcony, but there will also be other separate exits at this end of the building from both stalls and balcony, besides those at the screen end of the building. There will be a long, glass-covered canopy running the length of the building in Cleveland Street, and another handsome wide canopy over the entrance. On the first floor will be a handsomely appointed cafe over the lobby, and adjoining this a large foyer giving access to the balcony seats. On this floor and the two above will be the manager’s office, staff and store rooms, etc., the upper floor being devoted to the projection room, battery room, switch room, rewinding room and associated rooms. At the other end of the building, where the five dressing rooms are provided on three floors, there will be rooms for a band and the necessary boilers. Accommodation is also provided for an organ. J. E. Fumer, who has been in charge of the Agricultural Hall, will take over the managership of the Hippodrome. Modernised Without Closing Reconstruction of “ Tooting Astoria ” A difficult task in the reconstruction line has just been brought to a successful conclusion at the old Electric Pavilion, Mitcham Road, S.W. The problem was how to modernise the theatre throughout without closing down for several weeks, as is usually the case. When it is noted that the new scheme included such drastic changes as bringing the stage and the proscenium arch forward no less than nearly four feet, installation of a complete new projection equipment and rectifiers and treatment of the whole of the old auditorium wall surfaces in plastic plaster, the immensity of the job and the amount of accurate organisation and detail working entailed will be appreciated. The theatre has not only emerged from the change to all intents and purposes new, in so far as the interior is concerned, but it has, in addition, changed its name, and is now known as the “ Tooting Astoria.” The whole of the original frontage has been maintained and is now decorated in cream, with a green decorative frieze surround. Green facia glass panels are now also a feature, and extend over the top of the main entrance, while the whole of the frontage is now lined in red and green Neon light. The vestibule has been enlarged, inlaid rubber carpeting laid, the wall surfaces treated in plastic plaster of a rich primrose shade, with a deep frieze of emerald green, and additional and new lighting chandeliers have also been installed. All the staircases leading to the boxes have been retreaded and carpeted, whilst the box furnishings are now of mahogany and satin rep. The auditorium itself is practically, apart from its shape, unrecognisable with its newly treated plastic plaster wall surfaces, carried out in primrose and gold, an entirely new feature being the excellent decorative panel work which has been carried out in place of the usual scenic panel. The panels in this case have for their decorative effect radiating beams of old rose colour, which are reminiscent of the rays of the setting sun. The result is not only uncommon, but very effective. Entirely new carpeting has been put down and the whole of the seating replaced. All the seats are now of the latest type and are upholstered in fawn and brown mohair. New stage drapes and screen drapes of mauve and gold have also been positioned. Particular attention has also been paid to the projection room, two of the latest type Simplex machines fitted with Hall & Connolly high intensity arcs, being installed, Western Electric being the sound system used. New generators, switch gear and rectifiers have also been introduced. The whole of the theatre has been rewired and many additions made to the general illumination scheme. An additional touch of smartness is added by the staff uniforms in which the usherettes are now clad, consisting of dark green tunics with old rose and gilt facings, while the male staff are attired in dark green tunics with gilt facings. They were designed and supplied by the Uniform Clothing & Equipment Co., Ltd. The theatre remains in the capable hands of Manager E. G. Maguire. Estimates Invited Estimates are to be invited for the proposed cinema on the L.C.C. St. Helier Estate, Morden, for I. Oslof and L. Rolnick, so that the scheme can get under way in the New Year. George Coles, F.R.I.B.A., is the architect, and the house will have about 2,000 seats, while adjoining will be groups of shops. G.-B. Building at Lewisham Plans for the 3,000 seater which GaumontBritish have long planned to erect in Loampit Vale, Lewisham, have now passed the local council and work is to proceed. McLaughlin & Harvey, Ltd., of Highbury, are the builders, and W. E. Trent, F.S.I., G.-B. staff architect, is in charge of the scheme. The lounge at the STRAND PALACE HOTEL Furnished With LLOYD LOOM WOVEN FIBRE FURNITURE British Made Throughout by W. LUSIY & SONS; B ROMLEYBY-BOW, LONDON, E.3.