PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
|
|
DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAND THEATRE The imposing Italian-style frontage of the Grand Theatre in Union Street, Stonehouse, measured about 85 feet in length, with a depth of 140 feet in Battery Street. At the corner of Union Street and Battery Street there were two shops, quite independent of the Theatre. The stage entrance was in Union Place. Over the main and Battery Street entrances were large lamps, each bearing the legend: "Totus mundus agit histronem" - 'All the World's a Stage'. Internally there were the Pit, Orchestra Stalls and Dress Circle on the ground floor; the Amphitheatre on the first floor and the Gallery on the second floor. Access to the Pit, Orchestra Stalls and Gallery was from beneath a verandah in Battery Street. In the Orchestra Stalls were six rows of coninuous seats covered with Utrecht crimson velvet and black. The Dress Circle had seven rows of chairs, seating 190, all covered with crimson plush and was carpeted throughout. Upstairs, the Amphitheatre consisted of only two rows of seats of continuous seats with ebonised frames and covered in crimson Utrecht velvet, holding about 180 people. At the rear was a large refreshment saloon, ladies's drawing-room and smoking lounge for the occupants of the boxes, dress circle and amphitheatre. The Gallery was reached by a staircase from Battery Street. The seats were divided up by four gangways. At the rear was a very large refreshment saloon along with doors leading to three flats at the top of the builidng. Around the proscenium archway, which was 27 feet wide, were carved in fibrous plaster representations of tragedy and comedy, founded on ancient stories. The proscenium opening was fitted with a 'water curtain of great power' (actually this was a series of sprinkler valves on each side of the stage, about ten inches apart) and a hydrant, fed from a four inch pipe with 50 feet of hose attached, was in the flies. At the back of the stage a door 8 feet wide communicated with Union Place and provided access for the scenery. Two cellars, one below the other, were fitted with traps, slides and other appliances. An iron spiral staircase descended from the stage to these cellars, from which an iron door gave access to the orchestra. On each side of the proscenium there were boxes, ten in all. Facing Battery Street were twelve suites of dressing rooms. The stage measured 48 feet in length and 60 feet in width. A spiral staircase on the prompter’s side reached the flies. The curtains, beautifully designed, cost nearly £100. They were made of gold silk and silk plush, relieved with crimson and gold trimmings, hangings and tassels.
|
