PLAN FOR AN IMPROVED THEATRE. 



To JOHN KEMBLE, Esq. 

 SIR, Brampton, Sept. 25, 1803. 



SINCE the lamentable accident, that has so lately hap- Theatres 

 pened to the Covent Garden Theatre, the frequent occur- j}^ d f ^££ 

 rence of that event to my thoughts has led me to speculate venience of 

 upon the various improvements, that might be made in the seeing & near- 

 construction of theatres. I have taken the liberty of en- ' g * 

 closing you the following* plan and hints, which I conceive 

 to be worthy your attention, in as much as they state un- 

 doubted principles, which local convenience may more or 

 less permit to be put in practice, but without an attention 

 to which no theatre can be pronounced well constructed. 

 The science of acoustics is perfectly well understood, and 

 the enclosed rough sketch of the internal plan and elevation 

 of a theatre is modified to the principles of that science, in 

 conjunction with giving the greatest possible convenience 

 of sight to the largest number of people the space can con- 

 tain. 



It is the property of an elliptical room, to collect all the Advantages of 

 sound uttered in one of its foci into the opposite focus by ^e elliptical 

 reflection ; hence, as the ellipsis is a very beautiful curve, 

 and as it is only the parts of a theatre distant from the 

 stage, that require the aid of reflected sound, I have adopted 

 this figure, as the ground plan, Pi. VIII, rig. 1, will show. 

 Here any voice uttered upon the stage at A would be con- 

 centrated at the point B, excepting what is absorbed by 

 entering the side boxes. 



I have drawn the stage semicircular, and on one side ar- Semicircular 

 ranged the seats concentiical with it. This, I conceive, sta S c « 

 would be a material benefit to the observers, but it would Advantages & 

 have this objection, viz. that the seats, if so placed, must disadvantages 

 rise in steps aud have arms to each ; hence the necessary cenu-ica^with 

 allowance of room for the accommodation of the largest it in the boxes 

 persons would be more than necessary for smaller ones; and 

 on no occasion, however pressing, could the advantage be 

 taken of sitting closer. 



I have also drawn the scenery in a portion of a circle, Scenrs should 

 which would be a most material advantage, both to the circfe*!^ 1113 ° 

 hearing and sight, if conveniently practicable : and provided 

 double the height of a scene can be had within the build- 



