Ckap. V. THPJATRES.

1075
of tlie building. The corridors and gangwnys generally avevHge 3 feet 6 inches to 4 feet
iu width. Plain directions are painted over each opening out of the auditorium, which
openings can be available for ordinary use. The doors are fitted wiih a specially con-
structed lock, invented by Messrs Chubb and Mr. Walter Einden, the architect, which
can only be opened from the outside with a key, a push from within opening it without;
diificulty. {British Architect for October 21, 1887, p. 295.)
2971. There are now two new theatres in London which are considered fairly fire-
proof, and the
"
Court " at Sloane Square may be a third, as regards inflammability.
As to any advance in plans and sections, there have been two plans prominently put
forward this year (188-)- One father, d by Mr. nenry Irving and Alfred Darbysh ire,
architect, drawings of which were published in the Daily Tdtgrajph of October 29, 1887.
Another was brought forward by R. Nevill, architect, in an extensive paper read at the
Eoyal Institute of British Architects, Dec.
9, 1887 (discussion) ; and reported in Pro-
ceeoivffs
of Jan. 26 following. Another is by II. M. Roe, architect, printed in the Proceed-
itiqs of Feb. 23. One by J. Gr. Buckle, architect, described in his work, and dedicated to
Wilson Barrett. And lastl\, by E. J. Tarver, architect, whose drawing is given in the
British Architect for March 23.
"
Managers who contemplate new structures will have
to form their own judgments and selections according to what may be the individual
characteristics of the ground and neighbourhood. The Darbyshire plan is for a house
detached all round, and with one gallery only. The Buckle plan is for a place where an
underground house is needed. The Tarver plan is for a theatre above ground, adaptable
to any site with one side open and the pit partly or wholly sunk."
2971. Many of tiie bad features of construction and arrangement in modern theatre
building are stated to be often due to the proprietors or managers ; the architect has
not his entire way in the matter. The expenses of a theatre are very grf-at, and the
amount of the ground rent is an inducement to the site being made as small as possible.
Any extraneous provision must necessarily in'ail lost and occupy space.
2972. Eoreign theatres are not considered good examples for the study of an English-
man, as the habits of the nations are so different. Abroad, too, theatres usually stand in
open squares, as at Hanover, Munich, Beidin, Dresden, and I>armstadt ; not in back
streets and crowded thoroughfares. The rew Opera House in Paris is essentially a
government establishment, and would be wholly useless in England, where a theatre is a
private speculation. It is an exaggerated and bailly proportioned copy of Munich theatre,
with which it will not compare for compactness. It seats only 2,000 people. One of
the best studits of a lumse on the balcon principle is that at Mayence, given in Fer-
gui^son's Hatidbook. The theatie at Daruistadt has been the type lor those at Munich,
Berlin, Moscow, and other places. But their passages and front arrangements are all bad
for use in England; the idea being to collect the people into tiie entrance hall for show.
The Victoria theatre at Berlin is a double theatre, one for winter, with another for sumii er.
The thtatre at Dresden is round, following the form of the interior. It has been lately
suggested that the orchestra floor should be much deeper than is usual, so as to hide the
m()Vement of the instrunients, which often spoils the illusion of the scene. In England
the stage is always made on the incline
;
in Germany it is flat, which arrangement has
become very general abioad ; as in the dnuble theatre at Berlin.
2972. We have availed ourselves largely of papers read at the Royal Institute
of British Architects, in which will be found further remarks upon the lighting, ventila-
tion, and fittings required for these structures: On the Construction and Rebuilding
of
the
Eoyal Jtalia?!, Opera House, Covent Garden, by its arcnitect, Mr. E. M. Barry, Feb.
6,
1860; and On the Construction nf Theatrts, by Mr. Warington Taylor, Dec. 19, 1864.
The Builder, Building News, Architect, and British Architect ymrnnh, contaia descriptions
of most of the numerous theatres erected at home and abroad of late years, and to these
publications the architect can resort for further views on the several important points
touched upon by us herein. The Metropolitan Board of Works has issued regulations for
the proper working cf theatres for the safety of the public. The Home Secretary, it is
stated (1887-88), is preparing a measure of reform in respect of theatre construction and
management, in consequence of the late serious accidents.
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