The opening of the Empire was delayed by 'the very positive demands of the Board of Works', which was newly aware of fire hazards. As a result, the theatre was equipped with better entrances and exits, while the tiers and corridors were constructed of fireproof materials. A special and novel feature was the 'foyer, which was so generally popular on the Continent' . A spacious staircase provided access to the foyer and to the two promenades surrounding the tiers which were later to become notorious as the haunt of prostitutes.

In: Glasstone, Victor: Victorian and Edwardian Theatres: An Architectural and Social Survey. Harvard 1975 p. 66

Autor: Victor Glasstone