The high roof was not, however, an end in itself: it was motivated by the central assembly hall, which has herring-bone strutting to provide sufficient height for a theatre stage along one wall and an orchestra balcony above a side room in the other wall. The building is crowned by a lantern in noble ‘Caroline’ (late 17th century) style. The two symmetrical wings originally formed a cour d’honneur, but were later linked with a verandah-like entrance hall.