Theatre hygiene : a scheme for the study of a somewhat neglected department of the public health / by Walter E. Roth.
- Roth, Walter E. (Walter Edmund), 1861?-1933.
- Date:
- 1887
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Theatre hygiene : a scheme for the study of a somewhat neglected department of the public health / by Walter E. Roth. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service. The original may be consulted at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service.
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![in single, double, or even treble file, vertically to the proscenium, with gangways intervening ; thus, people may come out and in without inconveniencing either themselves or others who may be already seated. The number of seats to be limited, and no standing-room allowed. It must be distinctly understood that when once a building has been constructed to accommodate a certain number of occupants, any excess of that number is on no account whatever to be tolerated. A building is intended to hold a certain number of people : the fittings, appliances, means of escape, amount of water in case of fire, etc., are all based and calculated on that number, and will naturally prove deficient and faulty supposing it to be exceeded. A clear passage or gangway, of not less than 3 feet wide, to be reserved round every part apportioned to the audience except that next the proscenium or place of performance [and in the first rows of the various tiers] (M.B.W.). With regard to private boxes, there is every probability of these structures soon becoming curiosities of the past. As unnecessary as it is uncomfortable, an ordinarily constructed box intended for 4, 6, or perhaps more occupants, doubtfully proves sufficient or comfortable enough for one : on the understanding, of course, thait the visitors in this portion of the house have come to see what is to be represented upon the stage. Fig. 4 gives a sketch of some fair occupant in the customaiy private box. To the public gaze she probably appears as, the charming reality of some delightful dream, i.e., as much as is seen of her; but fortunately I have been favoured with a private view, and this is what rewarded my curiosity. Owing to the vertical construction of the box front, and the deceptive step in the box- floor, the lady in question is prevented bringing her chair sufficiently forward, or pushing it correspondingly backwards, and tucking her feet up comfortably. The omission of the customary fan and opera-glass in the picture suggests their having perchance rolled over the arm- rest on to the head of some unfortunate victim below—an](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b24398524_0023.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
