Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-08-10
"Its lights are fed,
Its gaTlands dead,
And all hut it-deDarted."

MWhy should so really fine theatre, with
one of the most capaciOus stages in AmeTi-
ca, and capacities for the drama in all its
phases, with an auditorium which, by the
expenditure of a comparative small sum,
might be made both warm and elegant, be
still shut aud without an Immediate chance
of opening?
Masonic Hall is totally unfit for theatri-
cal representations, except for small Eaude-
villes or pieces requiring but small scenic
displays. The capacity Of its stage was
painfully apparent during the recent engage
ment of Mr.. E. Forrest. In the heavy
tragedies and plays then produced, and
which as far as the "personel' and talent OF
the company who supported him were con-
cerned, were both unexceptional, the lin
tied space foritableaux and scenic effect was
terribly insufficient. The acoustics OF
Masonic Hall are also really bad, and be-
yond the FIRST seats near the orshestta, i is
impossible with distinctness to hear the
speaker. This important defect does not
attach to the Opera House, where even tie
weakest voice is heard with diStinctnesS,
while the capacity ofthe stage renders both
display and action attractively apparent TO
an audience.
The general remark is, that "Nsshville
will not SupRoTss c Theatre" 1t supported
a Theatre during the honored manas smLGt
of the late Mr.. John Green, who produced
the drama in its purity interrupted by the
vicious sensational French drama or the
nudities of the Can Can and modern Bur
lesGue. To re-establish the drama in Nash
ville, 90 az to receive the patronage of the
refined portion OF tle community, lie great
aim of manager must be to re~establlsh the
old English legitimate drama, interpersed
with the best of the elegant modern dramas
now produced at the London Theatre;
dramas which do not elevate divorce, muir
der and intrigue into palliative misdemean-
Ors, but really ''point moral and marx a
tale.p 4 rroDosition has been made to
US by an old actor Of twenty-five years ex-
perience, end who last winter Was con-
nected with the Opera House, PROPOSE
ton which if conceded and cooperated IN
by our leading merchants will, we think,
have the means Of establishing during the
winter, the Theatre in Nashville on a
sound basis.
He proposes to take the Opera House and
put in first class stock company, playing q
regular succession of Stars, from the middle
of September to the last of February, pro-
vided the merchants of the city will take
stock at the rate of $50 per ticket for season
tickets. For such season tickets a stock
holder will be entitled nightly to a seat in
the orchestral chairs (next to the stase) and
which will be theirs exclusively except
benefit nights.) Should they bring their
families, their wives and children will be
charged EALF the usual and advertised
rates, and their seats will be reserved for
them by applying during the day at the
box Office. The gentleman who has made
this proposition will be prepared to secure
his company and make his improvements
in the Opera House as soon as 1900 (hf-
teen hundred dollars) are guaranteed TO
commence the enterprise, but he will
require $500, Give hundred dollars)
Immediately to go on to New Y ork 10 make
the necessary arrangements for stock CON-
pany and stars.
During his absence to secure his compa-
ny, the selling of stock tickets and other az
fairs connected with the Opera House will
be left in the hands of a gentleman well
known to our business community, so as to
satisfy all who are interested Ia having re-
spectacle place of amusement established
amongst us during the coming winter, That
everything will be done honestly and sys-
tematically. More anon.