Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-03-30

Inc new BllOu theatre IN Boston, the
youngest us well MS the most elegant, of
the numerous sisterhood of theatres to be
found in the country, dates from the
evening of Monday, December II, 1882,
when it was first thrown open to the pub
lie. Perhaps it can be said with certain
ty that so far as the safety of the auditors
as well as those connected with the stage,
from fire or any other untoward accident
is concerned, the Bijou theatre is as we'll
nigh perfect as it is possible to make it.
As near as theatre can be, it is in all re-
spects fireproof, while its exits are SO nu-
merous and so conveniently situated that,
should ever panic arise, the establish
ment while crowded to repletion can be
discharged of its entire audience in the
extremely short space of three minutes.
There is nothing whatever in the shape of
lathing about the house, all the plastering
being laid Oh wire, while the stage sur
roundings are completely covered in with
sheathing OF tireproof blocks and very
liberal use of magnesio- -calcite
The auditorium is rectangular in its
ground plan, the corners being slightly
cut off. The seating accommodation con-
ssts of all orchestra floor and a single
balcony, and these together furnish ca
pacity for about 1000 auditors, added to
which there is an ample amount of stand
ing room. The front Of the stage is slight
ly convex, and no footlights whatever are
made use of the form Of the proscenium
opening, which is that of Moorish arch
with no draperies whatever attached, per-
mitting of series of lights with powerful
rehectors and masked from the public
view to entirely surround it. Over the
auditorium is richly carved and decora-
ted ceiling OF an arabcsque pattern, and
springing from the centre of this is a
Moorish dome i3 feet in height, rich i'll
artistic design and execution, and from
which hangs n magnificent chandelier in
ormolu, made for the Khcdive of Egypt /;
while from the corners Of the auditorium
nearest to the stage hang two smaller
chandeliers Of harmonious pattern.
We have spoken Of the decorations as
hcing very original in design. They arc
made to conform to the Moorish charac-
teristics OF the architecture. The effects
are produced in this manner In the
first place the walls, ceiling, dome and
proscenum arch were metalized with a
combination Of gold silver and copper
foil, with the effect OF producing rich aud
beautiful metallic lustres. Upon this,
which forms the groundwork, have been
painted series OF remarkably attractive
arabesque designs i'll harmonious colors,
which are as pleasing to the eye MS they
arc opposite to the general design, the
dome being absolutely glittcring in its
wealth of decorations. Above the pros
cenium arch is finely painted frieze, the
idea taken from Shakspere's "a Midsum-
mer Nights Dream representing the
queen of the fnries Titania, being lulled
to sleep by Puck and the attendant sprites.
On the left side Of the arch is bold ale
gorlcal figure piece representing Study,
and one on the right representing dec
lamation, which occupy tho remainder
of the space not taken up by the frieze.
In the spaces over the ends Of the balcony
are other figure pieces Of large dimen-
sions with elaborate settings, one repre-
scntinS Morning Music and Entrance
and the other Night Dance and Exit.
These are all remarkably artistic pices OF
work, rejecting the highest credit on the
artists.
The lighting is effected by the Edison
incandesrent system, which has proved
an unqualified success. The heating il
by steam.
So far as the public are concerned no
stone has been left unturned. Every
thing possible has been done in any way
conducive to their comfort and pleasure
There are number Of richly decorated
and upholstered saloons for the accomo
dation Of ladies' and gentlemen, while toi
let rooms for both sexes are found in al
directions, AS n whole the Bijou is lum
inous and luxurious, novel, neat ant
noticeable and deserves, as it has so fal
received, II most generous patronage.
The manager Of the theatre is Mr. Z. II
Hastings, who is determined to give hi.
patrons the best that money will buy.