The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-09-18
OUR OPERA HOUSE,

While we all at Ottawa know that our new
opera house is the handsomest structure of It's
kind outside OF Chicago in the West, we yet
like to be told of 1t by intelligent visitors
Such emphaticaly was "Grumley,' of the
Chicago Ilter-OceaH, who spent several days
here last week, and then wrote to his paper
as follows;
4 week ago | strayed into the CITY of Otta
wa, where found this same piece of which
have been speaking in the agonies of frs;
rehearsal, and 1t was represented there before
brilliant audience in the new Opera House
last Saturday night. 1t was of the opening
of this Opera House that meant to speak
in the first place, and not of the play
Perhaps it is not generally known that OF.
tawa now possesses one of the daintiest, pref.
test theatres in the West. Those who are
acquainted with the city and know the enter
prising character Of its leading citizens will
not be at all surprised to hear of this, but it
may be well for the managers of dramatic
companies to know that comparatively new
field has been opened to them, one which II
will be worth their while to cultivate Otta.
wa is populated to large extent by a refined
and cultivated class of people, such as have
leisure and means to afford, and taste to ap.
preciate tirstcass theatrical performances
The old theatre was DESTROYED some time
ago and in its place a handsome structure
has been erected which, in point of appear.
ance and comfort, will bear favorable com.
paIison with the choicest of our Chicago
theatres
Chicago is the great theatrical center of the
West Next to New York it Is regarded by
all theatrical men as the best "show town" in
tha its aptarnriSa in lirao
tion--overdone as it is sometimes--has tend
ed TO encourage IN the surrounding districts
Il spirit of emulation that cannot fail to pro.
mote dramatic culture as well as financial
prosperity. An elegant opera house IN a
town of ten thousand inhabitants is a pretty
sure indication that the people are live set,
and worth going u hundred miles to amuse.
And in this respect Ottawa has set a noble
example TO other towns in the state. The
new theatre, of which the citizens are Justly
proud, witt attract a finer class of entertain
ments to the place, while other cities through.
out the state will find it TO their interest to do
likewise. Through such agencies, too will
in time arise more reputable class of theat
rcal organizations throughout the country.
The scrub companies which have for years
infested the rural districts, and cast re-
proach upon the dramatic profession, will
will be enabled To witness the current theat-
rcal sensations without having 10 travel a
hundred miles from home TO enjoy them.
The new Opera House at Ottawa was erect
ed by Nessrs. COlwell, Clark < Co. at cost
OF $4,000. 1t has seating capacity of / 900,
and in It's appointments and ajornments 1t
seems to lack nothing that the most fastldious
playgoer could desire The architects are
Drake q Wright, of Chicago. The fresco
work, which is exceedingly tasteful and ap-
propriate, is by Schubert & Koeng, and the
cartoon pier work the ornamentation of the
proscenium, was executed by Roquenard, of
Springfield, the architect of the state capitol.
The auditorium reminds one in its general
appearance of the new Chicago Theatre, and
although the upholstery work is not so cost
ly, it would 0e difficult to tell on a first In.
spectIOn which of the two houses had the adj
vantage IN comfort and brightness. Add to
this that Pigott executed the new drop cur
tain and the other accessories Of the new
temple, and you will have a pre.t; good no.
ton that the Ottawa people have good rea-
son 10 congratulate themselves in possessing
the temple.
Mr.. Harry Clark, the proprietor and mana.
ger, is one of the leading citizens of Ottawa.
and a gentleman of great business capacity,
united with good literary iaste apd sound
judgment in dramatic matters. Under his
management the people will be sure TO oh
tam the best theatrical entertainments Of the
season.
The grand opening occurred last Friday
evening, and, as was to be expected, the occa-
sion called ont all that was best and prei;Iesi
In Ottawa The mouse was crowded io the
brim Mr.. J. +. NASH, of The First Nation
Bank, one OF the political leaders Of the com
muni;y, delivered the opening address, and
made everybody happy To begin with, and
then the Dillon company played Every
body's Friend" which appeared to afford un-
bounded satisfaction To the audience