1072

PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE.
Book III.
Sloping corridors have been advocated, but these are not praticable in some
localities.
297()a. Erery opening should be instantly and always practicable. All obstructions
should be forbidden by law. Doorways ought not to be less than 6 feet wide, and the
doors in most cases are best made sliding, or should open both ways, whether made of
wood, wrought iron, cement, or terra-cotta. Messrs. Chubb have lately invented a clever
contrivance for difpensiug with an attendant at extra exit doors, consisting of a super-
iniposfd spring panel on the inside of the door, in which the lock is enibeddel
;
with
a slight pressure the double doors fly open outward, and it is impossible to open them
from the outside except by a key. Another invention is Walker's now safety and escape
door, consitting of an inner frame of a door which will open outwards, the usual outer
frame opening inwards. Present doors can be adapted to the invtntion.
297O1';. Two stone or cement staircases to the galleries are essential, although one need
only be used as an entrance. The staircases for the upper parts should be as wide and
as easy as possible. Staircases should never be less than 5 feet wide (some writers say
not more than 3 feet wide), the steps to be all straight, no winders, 12 in^'hes in the tread,
and not less than 67
inches rise. They should be square, and be formed along an enclosed
wellhole, if any
;
no windows should be permitted. A series of staircases absolutely dis-
counected with each other has lately been urged
;
the only doors on to it being at the
top and bottom
;
an iron hand rail on each side. It has also been suggested that
"
there
should be an equal number of steps to eaeli flight, say thirteen for headway and space
;
the
half-landing should te elliptical, every door should open both ways, and folding, with an
easy fastener. All these, in any case, ought to bo provided in new buildings, and as much
as possible in old buddings" (W. H. White, F.S.A.) In large litaircases, which consist
of a centre and two side flights, the central one should be equal in width to the two t^'ide
flights together. In ealculuing the width, regard should in some mensure be had to the
number of persons which the part they serve will contain. The broad, long gallery
stairs at the Italian Opera House, Coveut Garden, with the door near the lop, show a
good arrangement ; they serve a double purpose, being at once a stairs and a waiting-hall.
Communication with the wardrobe and the property rooms should be effected only by
iron spiral stairs.
2971 The
"
crush room " or saloon at the Italian Opera House, Covent Garden, is
situated at the top of the grand staircase, and forms an ante-room for all those passing to
the boxes. At each end of the room are refreshment bars, to which all classes can thus
resort, to the exclusion of none. Proper cloak n.oms, with lavatories and water-clotets,
and refreshment rooms or bars, are necessary adjuncts. The various rooms required for
the different deprtments will differ in every theatre, and the architect must obtain this
information from the manager, befoi'e he sets to work. Near the orchestra is a waiting-
room for the musicians, with cupboards for their instruments and coats, lavatories, &c.
The music library should not be far away. A painting room over the ceiling of the audi-
torium was formerly usual, also at the back of the stage, where the artist can paint against
the upright wall. The carpcLters' shops are near to it. The property and armoury rooms
must be near the stage
;
and a very well ventilated property shop. The theatre at War-
saw is said to be very complete in its wardrobes. The dressing-rooms for men and women
should be kept apart ; the tailors' and dressmakers' shop and wardrobes just above them,
and fitted with lifts to send costumes up and down. Supe.-numeraries' and soldiers' dress-
ing-rooms are also required. A large magazine near the stage, to keep the stock, scene
cloths, and wings, properly fitted with racks and grooves, to stow them aay in good order.
Green-rooms, or waiting-rooms for men and women, so that no one should lie on the stage
who is not immediately concerned in the acting. The passages to have plenty of swing
doors to prevent draughts. Proper apartments for firemen, hall porter, and housekeeper;
kitchen and cellars; rooms for the manager, secretary, tieasurer, chorus and solo prac-
tice
;
and lavatories, &'c., throughout the house. A box office is usually provided near
the chief entrance. Large and dry cellarage is a desideratum, in which to stow unused
properties,
2971rt. With the exception of the dressings and interior ornaments of the building, it
would be possible, though perhaps somewhat inconvenient, to ertct a theatre, though not
perhaps absolutely fireproof, yet very secure against fire. Small theatres can be con-
structed of concrete and cement and terra-cotta, from its rude form as common brick, to
.stair treads; all the finishing touches would be of the ordinary materials of theatre
building. Iron should never be depended upon except as a stiffeuer, and then buried in
eoncree. Sto le should be excluded. Floors to be of cement floated on concrete, such as
Wilkinson's improved granite concrete, having arched under surface between iron girders;
also with iron
_L
joists forming a parallel lauding about 6 inchr s thick for landings and cor-
ridors
;
and for paving, &c.
;
steps can be formed of it singly for fixing, or formed in fitic
with moulied or plain soflle. As a matter of primiry importance, the audilorium and the