Page 9 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

office. This was made possible by the stadium design of the theatre; nearly half the length of the building was
taken up with these facilities. In fact the two sections of the stadium were described as the upper stadium
(dress circle) and the lower stadium (stalls).

A circular, island ticket box was located near the corner entrance. The grand staircase to the half landing was
a design feature of the lower foyer. This led to huge upper foyer which included a balustrade to the void space
of the tower. There were no toilets or candy counter included in the upper foyer.
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From the upper foyer the auditorium was accessed by two entrances which led directly to the rear of the dress
circle which happened to be on the same floor level.

The Grand Staircase circa 1996

The Midland was originally licensed to seat 934, but this increased to 966 ( 1) in later years. Today the seating
plan is quite different because of the use of second hand chairs. The circle seats are arranged in four blocks.
There are no external exits from the circle. Emergency exit from the circle is by means of an unusual arrangement
of two stair cases leading directly from the left and right hand sides of the circle to the rear of the stalls .

The stalls floor is stepped most of the way to the stage. Originally the stalls was configured into front and back
stalls but today, the flip up seats are arranged in four large blocks running to the stage.

The interior brick surfaces were plaster rendered. A variety of design patterns were used to enhance the decor.
Splayed walls lead to the stage which projected slightly forward of the proscenium. The large grills on the
splays were back lit to complement the indirect lighting incorporated in the fluted ceiling. Four colours were
used to obtain the lighting effects.

At the time careful consideration was given to both the sight lines and acoustic aspects of the design. A striking
colour scheme(2} was used which included shades of apricot, green, cream and carmine. The colours of the
carpets, seats and foyer furnishings were matched to the colour scheme. The stage curtains were peach
colored velvet which changed hues by means of the multi-colored foot lights. A second set of "magic curtains"
(in purple and blue, with pinstripes of silver) covered the screen.

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