Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-02-06

enterprise and public spirit of our fellow citizen,
William Piper, there has been erected in the very
heart OF the city, during the past season, edi-
nee which, for architectural beauty and complete
adaptation TO the purposes for which it was de-
signed, may challenge comparison with any SINH
lar edifce to be found in the country, except in
the largest cities.
The building is located on Front street, oppo.
site the City Hall Its built of brick and iron,
in the Gothic style of architecture, and covered
with mastic, SO as to give it the appearance of
New jersey sandstone and 1t adds not little, by
the beauty of its proportions and the neatness of
its finish. The building is forty-six feet wide in
front, fifty eight wide in the rear, and one hun.
bred and twenty-five feet deep
The main sntrance to the theatre is by broad
and spacious stairway from Front itreet. upon
each side Of which, there are two spacious stores
running the whole length Of the building. At the
head ofthe main staircase is the tick at office, and
from this floor yon enter the parquet and dress
circle, and BY broad avenues and spacious stair
cases to the Other parts of the house, There are
avenues for egress, also in the rear of the build
ing, which, in case Of fire, will give additional Sc
curityt to the inmates.
Ihewhole interior arrangements strike the be-
holder at once with feeling of the universal
fitness Of things" about him. The parquet seats
are of iron and black walnut, neatly upholstered
and stuffed, and so arranged as to give the audi
ence an uninterrupted view Of the whole stage
The family and dress circles extend around three
sides of the hall. The boxes are we'll arranged,
the seats roomy and comfortable commando
ing good view of the stage and all parts of the
amphitheatre and there seems to be nothing with
which the most fastidious play goer can find fault
The stage, which is thirty feet deep by fifty eight
feet vide, is said 10 be, by those who are compe-
tent to judge Of such matters, in perfect keeping
with all the other arrangements, affording ample
room for the production of Any play whether trag-
edy, comedy, or farce, and by suitable machinery
enabling the manager to give proper scenic effect
to all. In the front part Of the building there are
ample drawing rooms both for ladies and gentle
men, carpeted and well furnished; private room
for the manager work rooms for the costumers,
&C.; while in the rear, beneath the stage, is
spacious green room and other rooms for the
use and convenience of the actors and supernum-
erares. In addition to the boxes Of the dress and
family circle, there six procenium boxes for
the use of private parties, families and exclusives
who wish to enjoy play by misunderstanding
all things, but not seen themselves These seats,
of course, command higher price than the
others-they are luxurantly furnished, and, of
course, those who would enjoy such accommoda.
tIons, will not object to them on that account.
Having said thus much of some OF the minor
arrangements of the building. we have only to
repeat what we have before said, that it is, as
whole, and in its details, credit to the city and
TO all who have had hand in its construction
The architects of the building were Messrs
Boyden & Ball of this city, and the master
builder was Moses Taft, of the firm of Taft &
AIherton, also of Worcester. The contract for
the mason work was performed by A. Beman
Lowell, the painting by NJ. L. Drury, and the
mastic finish by John Borden. Messrs. William
B. Taber & 0. furnished all the upholstery work,
which was put up under the direction of Mr..
Green, worthy colored citizen, who is master
OF his business, as every one knows. The fresco
painting which ornaments the walls was done by
Mr.. Weiss of Springfield, and is pronounced by
all who have seen it, as a most creditable piece Of
work to the artist who had this difficult and
laborious work in charge. The scenery of the
theatre is entirely new, and was painted by Mr..
D. A Strong of Boston, an experienced artist in
this line.
On Monday evening this new and beautiful
theatre will be opened to the public, under the
direction of Mr.. Wyseman Marshall of Boston, a
gentleman not unknown to fame in dramatic
circles as successful manager and accomplished
actor. He will appear at that time in the charac-
ter of "lgnomar," the barbarian, in Lovels
celebrated drama of that name, assisted by a corps
of dramatic artists, which, from Mr.. Marshalls
long experience in his profession will undoubted.
ly afford abundant satisfaction to the audiences
who will nightly throng this temple of the
drama. Having been erected at a very lprge
outlay, by one of public spirited citizens, in
the belief that such an institution was want of
the people, which some should take the lead
in supplying, and in the confident belief that it
would receive from the public such support and
encouragement as a we'll conducted and well reg
ulated establishment OF this kind was deserving of
in such an intelligent and enlightened commune
ty as the Heart of the Commonwealth affords, we
cannot but express the hope that it will receive
liberal support and illustrate to all that immo-
rality and vice nor necessarily the attendants
of the drama.