The Dolls House Theatre Wish List

Based on what I had seen I decided to recreate a Victorian Theatre constructed between 1840 and the turn of the century but renovated to bring it up-to-date with modern health, safety and technological standards. I wondered what the theatre would look like as if I had just walked through the door into an auditorium and so I did a virtual tour in my head:

Velvet Steats

Finding my way down one of the shallow stepped isles I take my place in one of the many red velvet covered seats. They are the fold down type, like you get in Cinimas and aren't very comfortable.

Taking in the feel of the architecture I look up at a beautifully crafted domed shaped ceiling which has been segmented. Each segment is covered with beautiful paintings of angels and clouds. Each segment actually looks like the sections of a beach ball - or a birthday cake cut into equal pieces. Each is devided by twisted guilded mouldings that really set it off.

Crystal Chandalier

The entire domed ceiling is lit by an enormous crystal and gold chandelier which is suspended on on large chain that splits into a further eight. The chandelier is hung from a centered moulding that has a twisted edge that matches each ceiling segment devider.

Proscenium Arch

As I look forward I see that the proscenium arch is supported by large roman pillars. The pillars are themselves supported by two heavy blocks of bright white marbel. The marbel must have been imported in from Italy from the same quarry that the statue of David was sourced from. The blocks have been bevelled and embossed with guilding to emphasise their natural beauty and sheer opulence.

The opening of the proscenium arch is covered by a voluptuous gold-lined red velvet curtain. The curtain is lit by hidden drop lights above the arch and a dozen gold scallop-shell footlights attached to the stage below.

Portico with Statue

The proscenium has horizontal gilded mouldings that span its entire width. These rise in steps and meet in the middle to a beautiful portico supported by a further four intricate guilded columns. Inside the portico is a splendid golden statue of a young woman that gazes lovingly on at the audience below.

The mouldings that face the proscenium meet the sides of the auditorium. These mouldings continue out and into the auditorium, again supported by four pillars equally spaced on each side.

On the first floor on each side of the auditorium are boxes for the rich and famous. Above each box is a portico containing a golden statue.

The Deep Orchestra Pit

As I wait for the performance to begin I glance down into the orchestra pit that spans the entire width of the stage. The pit bows out into the auditorium, following the contours of the seats.

Light reflects off the instruments as a bald headed conductor prepares sheet must and his team of players for the evenings entertainment. The orchestra instruments consists of a couple of violins, cellos, a piano, two guitars, a drum kit, a flute, trumbone, trumpet and oboe.

Rigging Linesets

After the performance I manage to get a look back stage. At one side of the stage (the wings) I see the ropes (also known as linesets) used to raise and lower the scenery and other complex looking devices that make up the rigging system. scenery and lighting is hanging over my head supported by the grid located high above the stage. riggers go about their business in the loading gallery at one side of the stage preparing for the next performance.

Trap Door

Looking at the stage surface I see the outlines of various trap doors. Some are small, enough for a person to fit through while others nearly span the entire width of the stage. These, I am told, are mechanically driven and can lift anything from a small child to large scenery sections weighing several tonns..

So now I have a mental picture, its time to start looking around and see if any real theatres incorporate eveything I imagine. I don't think it will be easy but who knows?