Any colour, so long as it's...

The smell of paint lies heavy in the auditorium at present, with plenty of Playhouse Black being liberally applied to the steppings, the orchestra rail and sound and lighting boxes (which now have ceilings). The architectural feature at the rear of the auditorium, however – known variously as ‘the dome’, ‘the bell’ or ‘the curve’ but actually called ‘the hemisphere’ (apparently) – is now white.

Yes, you read that correctly, white. Or, more accurately, Victorian 13, which is the slightly creamy white used in the triangular areas at the top of the red (sorry, Crimson) arches. Having been used to it being black for so many years, it was quite a shock at first, but Ian Chandler informs me that in show conditions it will be washed with a straw-coloured light to reflect into the back rows of the rake. This was a necessary choice to help overcome the house lighting issues associated with the new raked seating. You’ll remember that the house lights used to run along the side panels of the balconies, but now much of the seating is either at or above this level and the ceiling is still a very long way up!

The stairs from the new corridor into the pool storage area are being fitted as I type and columns are also being constructed around the steels at the rear wall of the corridor to add a touch of character and interest to what could have been just a very boring flat tunnel. And speaking of tunnels, the plumbing guys have been in the tunnels again in connection with the raising of the radiators from ground floor level to behind the back row on the new raking. Which reminds me…

Lyn Morgan, one of my predecessors here, popped in on Tuesday to say that she recalls a time when the council (who own the property) used to send guys into the tunnels beneath us to catch rats. He said that it was possible to get all the way to the ABC Cinema (long since replaced by Royscot House next to the Municipal Offices) in The Promenade if you really wanted to, but that it wasn’t very pleasant.

One or two people have asked whether there have been any ghostly goings-on over the last few weeks, as building work can often – if you believe in such things – disturb resident spirits. I have to report that, so far, no one has yet seen, heard, or smelt anything suspicious during the build, although many of us have interesting tales to tell. Lyn says that the lady that has been seen in the balcony – whom I hasten to add everyone regards as friendly and watches over the place - is probably very pleased to have a little house there now to live in (well, not exactly LIVE in...)