Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-04-11

II - " OReheQ tn r
The new opera house at RANCE, :. 8.
'sned and will be opened to public mao =,
."' 'nlodie OF this week. The work wa.
begun May 30, 1881, and has steadiiv mo
dressed since. The cost, originally eliminates
~ eoo.oOO, will be between S45. 600 and s.o
~ II Is fine building, CONFORMING iii
n MODERN requirements in the way az com
.l., convenience and safety, while in the
""'. :. Oh interior decoration and finish II !.
oil mat could be desired It has a frontage
n nam street OF 20 feet, depth of l25 fee,
H Hnu tnree sfories high. The whole from,
.ine Is nush to the sidewalk; the face OF the
w;.i' Is pressed brick laid in red cement.
| Vim sandstone trimmings. An arcbed an,
trance, in the centre of the front il On e.,
ue' high up on either side of the first
story = large mullioned window, with arched
| oP ana clear glass. gives light to the gallery
s'ars- over the entrance. in the second storv
anu also IN the front gable extending from,
'"e Ioot IN 'front.' are square mullioned windows
III either SIDE there Is a haif-circle window
ne 2aDie just mentioned ends in an apex
ana at Its base is a freestone slab. inscribed
10 raised letters, Opera House" The from,
vi 'he building Is quite fiat and unrelieyed
ior even the window stills are built in nearly
nush with the wall. A few steps give acces.
~ lhe hrst moor, and at the left is the tickle,
once To the right and left of the entrance
stairs lead to the upper gallery. After en,ar
ing the lobby, nine feet wide. OF the tbe,trs
proper, one can pass up stairs on either side
70 the balcony or first gallery. Near these
stairs are cloak-rooms. On the second ana
third floors are large parlors or smoking.
rooms, over the main entrance and Iookiny
OUT on Main street. Waiting-rooms are ar
ranged on each side of the entrance for Iadie.
and for gentleman. The shape of the audito-
rum Is similar to that of the Boston theatre
ana the inclination Of the floor is about the
same as that of the Park theatre. There is a
parquet, or main floor dress circle arranged
little above this, balcony and a gallery.
ne auditorium is fitted up with comfortable
FOLDING chairs; those on the first floor and
.he balcony are covered with maroon -colored
ll''atioh leather, and they have graceful
frames of bronzed iron; the chairs in the
gallery are cherry wood with iron frames
ne whole seats 100 persons comfortably.
while the theatre has standing room for 800
or 400 more
square proscenium is one of the novelties
OF the house. On its sides are massive pillars
and at the top carved and bronzed lattice
work, through which can be seen a screen of
peacock blue This proscenium is eaborately
nnished in stuccO and galvanized iron.
colored in the POmpeian style. There are
four private boxes covered largely with
bronze, and they are to be fitted with rich
hangings and furniture.
The stage is ample, being Go feet wide by
Al feet deep. 1t is fitted up with all the mod
ern improvements for the arrangement of
scenery. The green-room and dressing room.
are under the stage and auditorium They
al, ii
marble wash bowls and closets For the
whole house there is perfect system of ven
tiatiOn.
The handsome frescoes which cover the
walls and ceiling please the eye, while the
maroon-covered chairs, graceful boxes, beau
tiful balconies and deliberately -ornamented
proscenium give the interior look of luxury
and cheerfulness. The general tone of the
walls is old gold, olive gray green and bronze
In the centre of the ceiling there is large
foliated iron grating, for ventilation,
from which will depend a magnificent
chandelier. This centre-piece is surround
ed by a panelled rosette of large proper
tons. The colors of the ceiling are buff
light peacock blue, russell tints, dull red, and
olive gray green. Conventional flowers are
picked in and edged, many of them with car
mine; among these are sunflowers, molly
leaves and smilax. Over the right hand
upper box there is q large painting entitled
lie Soir; it represents modern maiden stand
ing against a glowing sunset background.
Over the left hand upper box is companion
picture, entitled lie Matin; the figure is that
of charming young girl standing in the
morning light. These paintings which are
very effective, were executed by Mr.. La Moss.
He also painted the stage curtain, which
presents lovely scene-Roveredo at an
hour nearing sunset.
For the opening performance the Bangor
Amateur Dramatic Club will present the
interesting comedy of 'Rosedale." This
will be followed by series of legitimate
dramatic performances.