Page 8 - untitled

Once a ticket was purchased, a patron would venture fur-
ther into the building, towards the foyer with its swirling
ceiling above the first sho11 flight of stairs. For those bead-
ing to the stalls, wide curved steps lead to the entrance of
the auditorium past vases of freshly cut flowers and an
ornate, yet modernistic support which is past at the front
of the stalls entrance and the stairs to the upper foyers.
The ceiling above the stairs gives a tunnel-like impres-
sion but is cleverly lit through indi1·ect lighting to make it
welcoming.

Back to the foyer, it is now time for patrons of the dearer
seats to climb the curved staircase and through the spiral-
ling ceiling that compliments the barrel vaulted foyer.

The stalls area has its own spaciousness, partly contrib-
uted by an opening to the foyers above. It was clear that
the architects were aware that the seats underneath the
balconies can give a patron a claustrophobic feeling and
the incorporation of this feahJre goes a long way in resolv-
ing this problem. This attribute was used effectively in a
number of theatres including ·The Palais' in St. Kilda.

This foyer, complete with ornate fire place and vaulted
rectangular ceiling, greeted the patrons who were waiting
to gain admission to the auditorium. The plasterwork of
the supporting columns connects the ceiling with the floor
through a common theme. It is in somewhat of a contrast
The ceiling of the back stalls/lower foyer consists of stepped with the above forementioned fit:eplace and grand piano,
rectangles that are lit to highlight the plasterwork. This in which may seem to be more akin to more classical
some way compensates for the limited view of the mag- surroundings. Both styles, remarkably, do not compete. It
nificent ceiling, the centrepiece of the theatre. Set into the provides surrounding wher e one can contemplate the
ceiling of the balcony floor, are intricate lights of coloured entertaim11ent to come as well as purchase refreshments.
glass, said to resemble the paintings of Paul Klee. Ironi-
cally the cheaper seats have a better view of the audito- An upper foyer, reached by a set of stairs on the opposite
rium ceiling, although this is balanced by the less than side of the one described above, contains seating and at its
optimum view of the screen. centre is the space above the back stalls.

- 8 -