The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-04
WALLACK'S THEATRE.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW DECORATIONS AND
ALTERATIoNs-A BEAUTIFUL TRANsFoRMA-
TON.
Passersby on Broadway have doubtless noticed
that during the summer months the exterior OF the
building which forms the frontage of Wallacks
Theatre has been entirely remodelled and vastly i'm
proved, the battlemented facade being replaced by
substantial and neat red brick structure. Great
the exterior change. however. It is nothing when
compared with the surprise which the taste and
-iiberality of Mr. Wallack have prepared tor the
patrons of his theatre. The lines upon which
wallack's was built have always been conceded be
the best of any theatre in the country and that
the auditorium has been redecorated in the latest
STYLE it is sumptuous as it has always been SYM
metrical. The improvements confront the visitor
immediately at the entrance from the street TO the
lobby where the old iron gates have given place
handsome ebonized doors in the Eastake style,
heved with carved ornaments in red, and with
upper panels of heavy plate ghss. A paper. the
prevailing unts of which maroon, black aud
gold. the walls of the outer lobby. Passing
through the swinging doors into the vestibule
where the box Office is the tints. but in varied
patterns. are found the walls being in tileshapod
designs with deep dado separated by heavy black
and gold mouldings. The ceiling. divided into
panels by mouldings. is in conventional Horid style.
carrying out the dominant colors in somewhat
lighter shades Passing into the auditorium through
of red and black the full beauty and briancy
OF the change is discovered. it having been Mr.
waack's aim to keep the Hobbies and passages sub
ducd in tone to produce the impression of
lightness and relief when the auditorium is gained.
TaE ARTISTIC IMPROVEMENTS.
The spectator Will bo surprised the brilliancy of
the general effect but Is Driliancy entirely free
from gaudiness OF color or crudeness of tint Gold
has been used profusely and beautiful contrasts have
been thus obtained When one begins to study de-
tails the principal points that will be noticed the
walls, ceilings, frorits OF balconies and boxes, the
proscenum arch the resesting OF the parquet and
the sinking of tine orchestra. Taking up these in
the order named. VIC find that tho dado about four
feet high, is In red marble. with centre panels of
malachlte bordered with narrow bands of black and
gold marble. Heavy mouldings of ebony and gold
cut this oil from a rich Eastakc bordering OF back
anu gold, with conventional passion flowers in rcd.
The paper Is flowing pattern, principally gold on
ground of deep bun and pale green. border
similar to the lower one divides the walls from the
selling OF the balcony circle. which is again ia the
tones OF bun, green and gold. but different
design aud divided into panels by broad bands of
rich crimson. The ornamental ratings in front Of
the circles and boxes are gllt sodly with the excep-
tiou OF the lower nouiaings, which are in delicate
grecn ornamenied with flowing vine leaf pattern
In gold. The columns which support the circles
white, with gilt bosses line OF green
dividing the white from the gold. Hangings of Grim
velvet and lace adorn the private boxes which
arc papercd in gold. with black howers. The upper
portion OF She two massive Corinthian columns
which support thc prosconum arch are OF rich Sienna
marble, with the lower parts huted in light and
dark god, and resting on dead gold bases. The
capitals OF the columns are FURNISHED gold Behind
these columns the cOncaNe reccsscs IN pOld
with a flowing ornameutation deep gold.
From the inner edge OF these rccesses frame OF
ricD crimson velvet. edged with gold mouldings.
encloscs the stage in what appears to be frame of
velvet. Tic centre ornament IL u massive scroll
work of gold, and the scrolls which cover the span
drcis also gold. Above these the cntablature IL
IA white ana palo green the latter relieved by gold
urabosques. The orchestra has been sunk under the
stage with the exception OF the leaders seat The
Hrccd ceiling OF the sunken recess las been so con-
strIctcd as 10 act a. sounding board.
AUDITORIUM.
Ia nfsfl Inv ron
ira is placed OF extra large armchnirs,
which will be boon TO people OF unusually large
PROPORTIONS, aud Tor which seats no extra charge
viii DO made Ou either side OF the orchestral recess
IN panel ot quilted satin of rich crimson. bordered
with velvet ald gold. Gliding adorEs the ornainen-
tai all the stall chairs and the panels which
bear the numbers IN prevailing delicate green.
All the continuous benches ia the parquet have
been removed aud their places supplied by folding
chairs. Those wi % ascend TO the balcony viii OBJ
serve the foot OF the stairs two very iue figures
bearing la.Is aud find the large lobby winch gives
access 10 elegantly decorated IA the Eastake style
Win ebony chimney piece. bearing iBcised gilt
ornaments aud surmOunted 10y very large mirror.
The proseoniun border il painted a rich crimson