The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-24
OPENING or THE THEATRE LAST Z,

| OfENbNo VI The THEATRE LAsT EVE
SrNC-FUy on THE PAcIFIC.-A bright and
pretty occasion last evening was the OPEN
ing Of the Ricbmond Theatre, AZ lately re-
modelled, for the fall and winter season.
There was large and brilliant audience
! present, and all seemed delighted with the
metamorphosis which bas taken place in
the old building since last season. IL was o
pleasant and agreeable surprise to the thea
tre.eoing public to lind In what had been a
subject OF Ieproaeh to our city comfort
able and tasfefully fitted up place OF amuse-
ment, which will henceforth be a subject OK
pride to them. Manager Powell deserves
their thanks and liberal patronage for the
energy and taste he has displayed, and it IL
safe to say he will have both. Hotwithstand-
ing The fact that all the plans OF remodelIing
could,not be completed for last nights open
ing, enough was evident TO show that the un-
dertakiDg is success. The orchestra and
orchestra circle have been so changed and
modernized as to make these seats the most
desirable In the house. a perfection in sight,
lines has been obtained that will permit
full view Of the stage from all quarters OF
the house. The private boxes are large and
handsomely fitted up, one occupying the
space which was formerly allotted TO two.
Exquisite taste has been displayed in the
successful blending OF coloring on the walls
and balconies, so that when the hand
some new drop-curtain is completed.
the ceiling rescoed, and the upholstered
opera chairs OF improved pattern supersede
the old cane-seats, the Theatre will possess
beauty and comfort beyond all expecta-
ton. There was new regime last evening
in The old building, and it was strange in
deed when at the end OF each act there was
not the usual adjournment in the l0,cer'
house. The boys above, however, felt call
ed upon to give boisterous and vOciferous
outburst on the slightest provocation, and
fairly frightened the actors on the stage
with their deafening yells, that would have
been almost objectionable in the Bowery.
An entertaining evening was given by
Ford's Comedy Company in the musical
comedy OF Fun on the Pacific. As work
OF art the play has no merit whatever, being
only collection of songs and snatehes
from light operas sung by jolly set oil
passengers on board a Pacific steamer. II
is a variety entertainment, free from obiec-
tlonable features, and as performed last
evening was highly entertaining and kept
the audience in perfect good humOr.
Miss Belle Mackenzie and Miss Marie
Bockel are old Richmond favortes and met
WllD II uOsl uilitllup iCCtption. hN iVi-
mer is as bewitchiDg as ever, and the latter
delighted her hearers in various vocal efforts
Mrs. Fannie Denham Rouse and Mr.. John
Riebert as Mrs. and Mr.. Fetterman were
both capital. Their burlesque OF high ira
gedy fairly convused the audience. Mr.
Frank Cushman's impersonation OF the ne
gro Dando was inimItable, and he was time
and again encored in his comic speeches ant
songs.
Mr. Archer, as one OF the principals il
the late romance, proved an object OF mucl
interest. He was kindly received. ant
awarded hattering encore for his rendition
Of the Marseillalse, and sweet smile OF ap
proyal from his fair bride. Mr.. Wilkinson
as the Chinaman Ketchem was very good
and, IN fact. oil the cast did well.
. Tonight School" will be produced. ant
the Theatre will be made more comfortably
with the new chairs, which arrived from
New York yesterday afternoon on the Wya
nOke.