Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1883-07-27
Immediate Action Nece ssary.

Eyery day adds to the desire of Bismarckers
for first-class opera house,-one built expressly
for the accommodation of good companies and
pleasure of the people. Since the location OF
the capitol in this city number of really Ii. er-
| itorious amusement companies have come, and
each has been sadly disappointed in the matter
of Hall accommodation. The people complain
that the halls now in use are inadequate in every
respect, being small, poorly ventilated, without
convenient stage and with the exception OF the
opera house, no scenery. already several schemes
have been originated by thoughtful and enter
prisipg citizens, whereby this sorely felt want
might be supplied. A few weeks ago an article
was published in the TRIBUNE describing plan
for an opera house in the upper story OF the
First National bank block, but all who have had
experience either in managing or attending
places of amusement, agree that q hall above the
first OF second story of a building is annoying
and insecure. Thousands Of lives have been
lost in panlcs where the excited crowd are COM
PEELED to jam and squeeze through two or three
narrow flights of stairs with no other means of
escape save that of jumping from the windows
and being mangled ON the ravements below.
The unanimous verdict of our citizens now is that
an opera house to be IN harmony with the pro-
gress and metropolitan features of the capital
citv Of Dakota should be On the ground or lower
floor. with numerous exits, large, we'll ven.
tilated and supplied with spacious stage
and good scenery. In conversation with
Dan Morris Sullivan and member
of his company yesterday, the TRIBUNE re-
porter CLEANED some very feasible and COM
mendable plans for the desired style of ball.
MIR. Sullivan is an actor of considerable exper.
ience, having travelled for years, and has had
ample opportunity to become familiar with the
merits and dement's of the various designs of
opera houses. One plan is to erect a building
of about seventy-fve feet frontage, with stores
in front, aud offices above, the auditorium of
the hall, to begin about forty feet back from
the face of the block, thus leaving it 100 feet
deep and about seventy feet wide on the inter-
ricr. The floor should not be level, but incline
might enjoy an unobstructed view Of the stage
and actors. This, with properly regulated
parquette, dress circle and gallery, would seat
nearly Thousand people, and the rentage of
stores and offices would not only pay . good
interest on the investment but would furnish
sufficient funds to cover all expense OF manage-
ment. Another plan is to have floor for
roller skating, dancing, etc, which can, by
means of trestle, be placed over the chairs, on
level with the stage and removed at will.
This would be source of perpetual revenue to
the owners and pleasure to citizens and visitors.
However, it is obvious that some plan of the
nature of the two just mentioned should be
adopted in order that the capital city may be
favored with first-class entertainments and it il
to be hoped that some enterprising gentlemen
viii take hold IF the matter at once and erect
an opera house which will be credit to the
place and to the builders. Duluth has one Of
the finest opera houses in the west now nearly
completed, Fargo has q. fair hall. and if Bis
marck had neatly arranged, commodious
amusement house, she would not lack for the
yery best Of entertainment, q al companies
coming a far west as Duluth or Fargo will de-
s1re "a chow here.