Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1939)

October 14, 1939 SHOWMEN'S T R A U E REVIEW Page 29 The promenade of the Avon features a colonial stair case with a mural depicting the landing of the Pilgrims. The stairs lead to an oval shaped lounge in the basement. Railings are of iron and brass. Note the inserted rubber mats in the carpeted floor at doorways to the left. theatre design and construction. Mr. Hohauser, like all of his contemporaries who have achieved success in this field, has a flair for showmanship. He knows the theatre, likes it, is close to theatremen, has an understanding of their needs. Architecture and Showmanship In the case of the Avon in Stamford, the architect faced that problem which seems so little understood by even eminent members of the craft who lack practical experience in theatre design, which is the puzzler of blending abstract beauty of the kind the more cultural types prize with the more flaml)oyant demands of down-to-earth showmanship. Beauty of itself can be austere — but it better not be so if a theatre is to make a profit. The answer to this stickler for any architect is, we think, very forcibly answered in the pictures of the Avon reproduced on these pages. The exterior, the foyer, the auditorium, all are eloquent in stating the case for showmanship while observing the rules of good taste and understatement, or repression, required of a theatre that is to serve a so-called "class" patronage. The Avon Theatre is located at Bedford Street near Spring Street, in Stamford. This theatre built and operated by the Weiss Amusement Corporation, the operators of the Stamford Theatre, represents the last word in modern theatre construction, furnishings and equipment. Realizing the importance of Bedford Street as a high class shopping and business center, Mr. Weiss was particularly anxious to contribute to the growth of Stamford a theatre worthy of its progress. The building is completely fireproof, has a skeleton of structural steel, and is completely insulated, soundproofed and waterproofed, and designed for perfect acoustics. The facade is of Colonial design of red face brick, trimmed with Vermont marble, featuring four "Temple of the Winds" columns afford turing eight murals depicting various periods of the history of Connecticut. The walls are of sand finish plaster and damask on rockwool sound insulation. The auditorium is lighted in various combinations of color controlled by a set of six dimmers operated from the projection booth. Providing Patron Comfort Some of the other features, adding to the comfort of the patrons are : the equipment of various seats with acousticons for those hard of hearing, latest developed sound and projection equipment, continuously lighted aisles with a new system of indirect chair lighting which creates a continuous beam of light on the carpets, extra upholstered spring chairs with self raising seats and a complete system of winter and summer air conditioning. The air conditioning duct work has been arranged so as to uniformly air condition and recirculate the air without creating drafts and maintaining a uniform temperature throughout the auditorium. Cooling is accomplished by two seats of compressors and auxiliary well equipment ; the air being purified by a series of filters. ing access through an open arcade to a domed lobby. Ofl: of this entrance lobby are a coat room, ticket office, manager's office and the main entrance to the promenade. The promenade has a grand colonial stair case with a mural depicting the "Landing of the Pilgrims," to an oval shaped lounge in the basement, off of which are the ladies' and men's rest rooms and the promenade leads directly to the auditorium. The auditorium is arranged in two sections, a lower main floor auditorium section and an upper stadium section having a total of 750 seats. The seating is arranged for extra comfort as spacing is 34" and 36", affording ample leg room and comfort. The interior is in pure Colonial Style, fea Credits Frank D. Rich & Co. — General Contractor, Construction. National Theatre Supply — S o u n d and Projection. MacMann Engineering, Stamford, Conn. — Air Conditioning. American Seating Co. — Seating. Century Drapery Co. — Draperies. Curtain Track and Control — Vallen, Inc., Akron, Ohio. L. Bamberger, Newark, N. J. — Carpets. Simon Manges & Son — Mats. R. H. Macy, N. Y. C; Hall House, N. Y. C— Furniture. Claude Neon of Connecticut, Bridgeport, Conn. — Signs. The ladies' room, right, located off lounge in basement. It is carpeted in rich chenille. Wainscoting is colored canvas, with wall covering of salubra.