New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-28

last ten years, al leastj uraha'i'
been practically confined to two ho%'es' he.nei VI
which, in aspect or accommodations couiu ram
among frst-cass theate-s, according 10 tne stahu'
ards fixed in other eities Both the " alnut anu
the Arch belong to the past generation OF play
houses; and, although frequent efforts have been
made To abate their inconvenience and restore the
aarv bloom the scent Of moldy sge and the discom'
forts Of il.adiusted architecture have hung round
Il am stil. insufficient as they appear, however,
these limited theatrical accommodations have al
times been found superior 10 the necessities OF the
community and although the construction OF new
house has been regular topic among managers Tor
a number Of seasons past, the prospects oil success
have always appeared so dubious that the PROJECT
las never, until in the present case, taken SUBJ
stantial form. The failure, as financial specuia-
tion of the splendid opera-house on Broad street,
has, in recent years. proved particular obstacle 10
enterprise in this direction; and if a ibera-minded
private citizen had not now taken the responsibility
into bis own hands, Philadelphia might have gone
on for successive years in easy satisfaction with Its
imperfect share of the dramatic goods Of this earth
How far the erection Of a new theater was justi-
fed by the extent of the business done, it is diff
cult TO determine. Until the present season, Phila-
delphia has yielded anything but profuse harvest
to the STAGE The prospects, however, have risen OF
late, and better chances seem TO await Mr. Wheat
lev now than at the close of bis connection with the
Z" Arch" There ia always prestige about new
establishment, sufficient to secure popular attention
for number of seasons; and, moreover Mr.. Wheat
ley is one of the most expert, as well as most popular
of managers. The unfayorable circumstances OF his
opening, last Monday night, were accidental, aud
were due to the over.anXious timdity OF the public
which had taken to itself the notion that an edihoe
built In six months could not possibly have been Sc
securely put together 1t was case OF unwarranted
theatrical fright the wrong eide OF the footlghts
The neighboring streets were crowded all the even
ing with eager spectators, but curiosity was over
borne by trepidaton, and but comparatively few
numbers considering the occasion, ventured within
the walls. The house was in fact about two-thirds
full. But the evidences of its strength and sound
ness were amply sufficient to dispel all suspicion Of
insecurity from that night forward.
OF the theater ITSELF we shall give general,
rather than specific description. 1t is situated on
Chestnut street, few doors above Twelfth, in the
business of the city. Its exterior is neat and
attractive and though sobery decorated, seems
more appropriate than that of any similar establish
ment in New York. The front ia mainly of pressed
brick, with supporting columns Cofinthan) OF iron.
Its breadth is &C feet and it's hight SIS feet six inches
The roof slopes upward, and the side walls rise
cordingy as they recede. The depth Of the entire
building is $50 feet. The interior is peculiar. The
main doors open into small vestibule, from which
inner doors lead directly TO the open parquet, with
au abruptness that curiously contracts with other
Philadelphia theaters. side staircase ascends also
from the yeslibue to the dress circle, the gallery
being reached by passage directly from the street.
The aspect of the house. from the parquet is unlike
that of any other theaer with which we are &C.
QuaiDted. The auditorium is quite square, without
the usual rounded corners at the back, and the
benches, or settees extend rectiineary from side
10 side, with none of the customary outward
curve The effect of this is hard and some
what ungainly. The dimensions of the
parquet comfortably moderate, the
rows of benches being only sixteen in number,
from the orchestra TO the rear aisle. Ample pas
sages divide the center, and flank the sides of the
parquet. The dress circle projects about halfway
from the partition 10 the stage, which brings the
cupants into closer relationship with the actors than
is usual in that portion of the house. 1t also built
with a considerable slope, 80 that a clear view may
be afforded from every seat. Here, Of course, the
benches circularly disposed. The upper gallery
or family circle, also descends at sharp angle, and
recedes far beyond the limits Of the lower part Of
the house, over the vestibue and foyer Of the
dress circle. The hight of the auditorium is ex-
IRENE. when compared with the Depth
The seats throughout are covered with red stuff,
which barmonizes well with the decorations. The
prices are irregular Seventy-fve cents ore charged
for secured seats in the psrquet and dresscircle and
fifty cents for seats not secured To the family YER
Gle, the admission is twenty-five cents. Chairs in
the private boxes are sold at one dollar apiece.
These boxes Of which there three each side
of the procenium, rest upon the front Of the stage
behind the footlights, and supported by heavy
fluted pilasters, from the caps Of which the arch
rises. The space dividing the proSceniun from the
body of the house is occupied by six inches, each
situated on level with one Of the boxes, and con.
tanning statue or bust. The stage itself is in fair
proportion to the body of the house-apparently
about thirty feet wide 4 the curtain-opening Its
full width is sixtysix feet and its depth sixty-four
feet Its hight measured at the proscenum, in forty
feet
The general style Of the decorations is exceedingly
tasteful and elegant, the only questionable effect
produced being that of the pilastefs and other
soundings Of the proscenum, which appear certainly
on first inspection, too heavy and cumbersome, in
spite Of their brilliant adornments to harmonic with
the delcacy Of the other portions of the house. The
chandelier which supplies the principal light ia
most ingenious and symmetrical piece Of work. OF
the stage decorations 1t is impossible to speak
In general terms. Those dsnlsved on the openinp