Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-04-21
L II \ II.



public places of the city and its environS.
l have already given you my visit to the
theatre, while in the full glory of coal oil,
music, sock and buskin, aud this morning,
through the poli,eness Of gentleman con-
nected with the establishment, have taken
a quiet glance at the interior when spark
ling eyes" and "beauteous FORMS" with
their hirsute companions had left, and the
sounds OF music were silent within its walls /;
and think !: Of sufficient interest to give de-
tails.
THAT THEATRE.
You have heard of its size, decorations
and capacity, from struggling paragraphs
here and there, but meme, as yet seen by the
management" here, are more than the re-
suit of that convenient New Englandlsm-
guessing In size, then, the Salt Lake City
Theatre is 40 by so feet, rising to an alti-
tude OF 20 feet. The front juts out on either
side, forming two tickle: offices, only one OF
which, however, is as vet required. Doors
to the east and vest OF these ticket offices
admit to the third circ'", while between
them, passing up Il short light OF steps, be-
tween two massive pillars. OF rlre feet IN dl-
ameter. which stand in front. you reach three
large doors the centre one of which leads
70 the parCuette, the other two being the en-
frances to the frst and second circles. Pass
ing through the centre door, you find your
self in a sort of ycStibule with two doors, one
on either hand which you enter as the num-
Der OF your ticket indicates to the cast or
Toll Eaf
tears il in two and returns YOU the top half
of it on which your box or seat number Is
written, which on entering you present to an
usher who indicates the particular seat you
are to occupy. This is the case also in the
first and second circles, the deities above
helping themselves to seat in whatever va
cant position suits them.
The parquctte is that part of the house
most frcqucnted by residents, fashion ira
yelling little different to what it does in
most places. Admission was originally 10
cents; but becoming more the resort OF the
higher class OF residents, the larger half OF the
centre seats have been very finely cushioned
and charges are raised to one dollar. Right
in the centre, an elbow rocking chair is pro-
mincntly noticeable-that is reserved for Mr.
Brigham Young, the proprietor, and princi-
pal man of the community. The front
seats of the first circle are reserved
fer season patrons At one dollar and
twenty-five cents night. gentle
man boarding at the hotel showed Inc his
season theatre bill this morning-i2 %.
Behind the front seats, tickets one dollar, all
numbered and reserved. In the second cir
Gle, front seats one dollar; back OF these 30
cents. In the third circle, front seats 5O
cents; back OF these % cents. No distlnc-
tion anywhere OF persons, save IN the middle
circle, the west portion Of which has been
reserved for the volunteers, and the parquette
for families. Large posters are hung around
the walls with the "ruleS OF the house in
scribed, prohibiting the use OF tobacco or
whisky, in any part of the house; the reJec:
ton OF noisy persons; no firearms allowed
TO be carried; no babies in arms, and dogs
forbidden to enter. Advancing towards the
stage, YOU come to the orchestra, separated
from the audience by a semi-circled pallisade;
hanging richly before you handsome drop
curtain OF some 81 feet, while the proscenium
is vcrv chastely decorated. There is no
succeed ornamentation-all is solid wood,
the proscenium boxes shaped, built, cut and
carved, and representing more than anything
else that could think Of, royal tent OF the
fifteen century. The stage itself runs back
SO feet and is well calculated TO aid the artist
in plays where scenic effect is arrived at. A
scenic artist and aids have been very busy
and their laborS are worthy OF much credit.
The stage mechanism is very complete, pro-
pe.ties carefully and judiciously furnished,
and instead OF appearing what it really is,
dramatic establishment managed BY and har-
ing its casts filed from an amateur corps, 1t
bears all the evidences Of having been long
devoted 10 the profession, and the held OF
many dramatic triumph. The value OF the
wardrobe is estimated at from $4,000 TO Sl0,.
600. From this source the play erS have been
supplied and the richness of their dresses as
well as the elegance OF the "sets have called
forth many encomiumS from such as myself,
who have been agreeably surprised and de-
lighted where It was least expected.
The last evening OF the performance, Satur-
dav, was devoted to benefit for the gentle
men amateurs, the previous Saturday even
ing having been set apart for one tor the
ladies'. The concluding evening Of the season
WAS the occasion Of a rush, and the capacity
of the house was thoroughly tested, and the
tisures, given me without reserve, show that
the house, packed to its utmost density, does
not hold quite 1000 perSons-notwithStand
ing what others may have written TO the con
trary. Il looks larger house ; but the sweep
in the circles is too large TO admit Of a great
number being seated in the circles, and the
benches in the parquette have been widened
to make more room and greater comfort for
those patronizing it.
The shahy make up OF behind scenes, usual
to the profession, is not here. The dressing
rooms are roomy, rell-lighted and comfort
able; the walls hard finished, the doors pan
ncled, sashcs closely fitted, and each room
furnished it'll the requisite toilet appur-
teuances. Ascending from the stage BY a
stair on either side, the floor above the ''fies"
is reached. On one side is commodious
tailor's shop, with costume room annexed for
gentlemen the opposite side is devoted to
Similar purposes for the ladies. These rooms,
as well as those in other parts OF the house,
and indeed the entire building, are warmed
by neat stoves, adapted to wood or coal. The
tailoring department has given employment
during the season 10 se'c.:.i workmcn at an
expense OF over thousand dollars. Ascend
ing higher still in the building, and nearer
the "N auited Deep" double-decked roof
is reached, from which splendid view OF the
city and country is obtainable.
The meridianal streets, running parallel to
aud at right angles with each other, stretch
away like broad lines, become fainter in the
distance, and apparently approaching given
points, W0lie IIle lEult SaIueus WIKI WHICH
the place abouIds, give the appearance
of a valley of orchards wishing for the tears
and smiles of spring to invest themselves
with the garniture Of leaves and blossoms.
The clearness Of the atmosphere in these Al
pine regions and its consequent deceptive
ness is very apparent from this standpoint.
A mountain gorge or ju:ting peak seemingly
only seven or eight miles OF, is in reality
three times the distance, and the mountains
at the extremity OF the valley do not rise with
that vague and cloudy appearance which
might be expected from the distance, but
present bold and definite outlines, their roll
ing, massive sides seeming as If some mighty
magician had held his wand over a tempest
tossed mountain Of liquid element and solid
fled il in an instant and left the immense
billow with its serrated and seething sides a
fixed and eternal mass as the evidence OF his
wondrous power. But we are on the roof Of
the theater. Descending to the stage again
by short stairway, access is found TO the
hrs,, or dress, circle, which is roomy and
but with the sweep in tie center too large.
The boxes are four in depth, and number
from one TO thirty-six. A glance at it re-
vealsi that the iupholsterers' work is still in
progression, the design am informed, being