SM Adam volume 28/21

[23] Design for the opera house, showing the Haymarket (east) entrance, principal staircase, oval ballroom and adjoining assembly room, c1789, unexecuted

Axial section of the opera house, from east to west, with the east entrance formed with a Tuscan porte cochère, surmounted by an urn. Beyond this there is a Corinthian pilaster screen, and the roof line supports statuary bearing urns. Within, there is a curved staircase with ironwork balusters ornamented with enclosed anthemia. At the first-storey level, there is a landing, set within an apse with a coffered ceiling. There are niches containing statuary, and these are surmounted by a figurative roundel and figurative panels. Beyond this there is a double-doored entrance, with a fan light. Above, at the second-storey level there is an aedicule entrance and steps leading to a room overlooking the ballroom. In the attic storey there is a colonnaded room. The oval ballroom has an arched entrance set with a Tuscan screen, surmounted by a tripod flanked by putti. The entrance is flanked by apses with coffered ceilings, and steps lead down to the centre of the room. There is a surrounding Corinthian colonnade, from which oil lamps are suspended. Above, there is a domed ceiling, articulated by statuary flanking semi-circular arched openings. The ceiling is ornamented with compartments divided by bands of scrolled hearts, and these are ornamented with fans, figurative ovals, and figurative panels. At the lower level there is the servants’ waiting room, with steps leading down to a central stove. The space is lit with Diocletian windows, set within relieving arches. In the west wing there is a room with a central entrance at the ground-storey level. At the first-storey level there is an assembly room, with a central entrance set behind a Tuscan screen, and within a relieving arch. This is flanked by panels ornamented with painted screens, and above this there are figurative panels. In the attic storey there is a room with a fireplace, and beyond this steps lead down to a space overlooking the ballroom