Doric Cinema

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Uploaded on: November 15, 2023

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The above photograph c.1888 shows the Westminster Hall with eleven staff lined up in front of the grand entrance, eight of whom would be quite capable of evicting troublesome patrons. Centre under the huge gasalier stand the Commissionaire and next to him possibly the most important person employed, the Fireman who would have held great responsibility of all the gas lighting not only the auditorium but the stage and back stage areas. However, the most dangerous area for fire was the ‘Lime’ box an enclosed space at the rear of the balcony where limelight(spotlights) were housed, to light and follow the performer as they moved around the stage. Lime light was produced by a gas blow pipe-flame directed against a block of quick-lime, this then produced an intense light with a slight yellow tinge. This process was used in theatres especially where the building was large and the throw was of a great distance until after WW2. Safety was greatly improved eventually with a completely separate area built for their containment. Until recently firemen were employed in all live theatres this had descended from those early days of Music Hall. In the late 1960’s when I was employed at the London Palladium, all their emergency lighting was still supplies by gas.

Ron Knee