large class of Assembly Halls the description

THERE is a large class of Assembly Halls the description of which is almost entirely covered by what has
already been said in connection with Town Halls, especially when considering that of Walsall, which
was illustrated in Volume IV. Large rectangular buildings, they are generally open on both sides for
lighting, while it is preferable that they should be on entirely isolated sites, so as to secure rapid exit in case
of panic or fire. The entrance is placed usually at the centre of one of the narrow frontages, through a large
crush-room having cloak-rooms on either side, the main doorway to the hall being exactly opposite the street
entrance ; while it is a maxim in such buildings that all the doorways shall open outwards, being as a
general rule fastened only by " panic bolts," which give way immediately on a bar being pushed which lies
across the door about 3 feet from the floor. Direct passages, sometimes central only, and sometimes with
others on either side, lead from end to end of the hall if the seating be fixed ; but in most cases chairs are
used, so that they may be cleared away and the whole space devoted to different purposes, as may be required.
The far end from the entrance is given up to a platform with retiring-rooms for the performers, behind it or on
either side, these being preferably arranged beyond a transverse corridor, so that the performers may meet
behind the platform and confer before entering the plat- form. Special entrances for the performers are almost
invariably provided, and, while their retiring-rooms are on the same level as the platform, there is very
commonly a space below both for storage or for heat- ing purposes, while this is sometimes utilised for a
kitchen or even for a committee-room.