The Evening critic., 1884-09-04
THE NATIONAL THEATRE.
The improvements that Have Been
Made by Mr.. RapIcy.


Theatre, has during the summer been doing
ipgton will thank him. He has given that
popular place of resort for the amusement
loving thorough renovation and over
hauling. If he has omitted anything that
could have been done for the comfort and
pleasure of the public he does not know it,
nor can any one by an inspection of the
theatre detect an omission.
He has also looked after the comfort of
the performers. The green.room and all
the dressing-rooms have been rearrangod
IL will be pleasure to the performers to
occupy them instead of penance, as in
most theatres. One of the many beauties
Of the renaissance is the lobby. That al
ways yns large and comfortable Now It is
Something ii,, to be looked .5 a. nd admired.
crystal chandelier depends FROM the cell.
ing, with small ones at the Sides The
walls have been papered with rich pat
tern in red and old gold. The figuring of
the paper is very lovely. 1t is put on per-
fectly. Mr.. Tubman did splendid Job
when he fitted mp that lobby.
Tho box-ofiice has been newly papered
and arranged with every convenience.
Sam Kinsley will have place in which to
preside that will be worthy of his ability
and geniality. The main entrance doors are
ornamented In very tasteful manner. In-
side the theatre Is something to be looked
at long and admired. A closer inspection
than look reveals all manner of changes
for the better. Down the centre aisle there
IS a thick velvet carpet. Between tho rows
Of seats there is also carpeting. The audi
ence will not have to rest their feet upon
the bare floor. All of the orchestra chairs
have been newly upholstered. The colors
of the new papering blend tremendously.
In the parquet the work Of improve
ment has also shown its hand. New seats
have been placed there. They are patent
chairs. The backs of them are movable for
distance to accomplish what is intended.
They allow person to pass in and out
without disturbing his neighbors.
Under each chair is strong wire ar
rangement which admirably takes the
place of hat-rack in hall. Any kind of
q hat can be placed there with perfect
safety. This convenience will be appreci-
ated by all theatre-goers. A man In a the.
atre nursing hat, especially one of the
plug variety,is an object of misery to whom
full sympathy must be rendered.
The aisles in the parquet used to be
something like nuisances. They inclined
downward upon such a slope that the
chances of fall were very good. This has
all been changed. The descent is now by
the means Of small platforms. Tho whole
parquet Is carpeted.
Up in the dress circle there are no cane
seated chairs this year. They have given
place to patent chairs similar TO those in
the parquet. These chairs, are roomy,and
comfortable. If a tat woman is next to you
you will not have to sit in her lap.
The gallery has not escaped attention.
A row Of the benches has been taken up aud
all of them have been lowered. The small
boy who gets in late and has to take back
seat, will not have to bump his head against
the ceiling as he follows the Vaccinations
of the crafty villain. The stairs leading to
the gallery are rubber-covered. The feet of
the gallery gods as they 90 out will not
sound like drove of cattle crossing a
wooden bridge. The stairs leading to the
dress circle have also been arranged to
deaden the sound of footsteps.
The broad stage has been entirely over
hauled. There are new scenery and new
appliances In stage mechanism. Everything
10 accomplish rapid shifts of scenery has
been perfected. Mr.. Phillips can change a
scene from an elaborate 'outside" to an
inside in one minute aud a-half.
The private boxes in their elegance will
be as fine as any in the country. The wood
work about them is decorated richly. Tho
fittings inside are in crimson velvet and
buff satin. The firm having the drapng in
hand has been directed to do its best with
out regard to cost.
The orchestra will have roomy quarters
directly in front of tho STAGE A double
floor, which will act as sounding board,
has been put under the place where tho
oot-horns will blow.
One ofthe many advantages of the theatre
s its safety from fire. The building whore
work from which there is danger of fire is |
lone is connected with the theatre proper
nut is not under the same roof. The en- |
rance to the building being directly from |
he ground, and there being SO many WAYS |
II getting out fire stands but little show of i
human life.
And then the discipline of the working
orce on the stage is complete.
Last season when spectacular play was
On, one OF the gauze draperies caught fire.
IL was between the acts. One of the men
cut it down. No ono in the au.
iience ever knew Of this. Take 1t all In
all this theatre is certainly daisy. SAM
nel G. Kinsley and Harry Rapley will run
1t. Sam knows more about how to run n
theatre than almost anybody. He is such
a pleasant fellow, too, that it is almost a
pleasure to SEQ him actively take your
money for the pasteboards. Mr.. Rapley Is
also an excellent manager. Billy Romaino's |
burly form and pleasant face will DO at the
entrance and take your tickets. There is
an excellent list of attractions for the com
ing season, as the following partial list |
shows; Thatcher, Primrose & Vests Min
strels; Wages of SIM" Salsbury's Trouba-
doris; "The Rajah;" "Peck's Bad Boy"
Barney McCauley in "The Jersoyman;"
u Storm Beaten" Mr.. and Mrs. N. G. God |
win: May Blossom" Mr.. Edwin Thorne |
in THE Black Flag" Mr.. and Mrs. W. J.
Florence; "Slberia;" "Pavements of Paris;'' |
Young Mrs Winthrop" "Hearts of Oak"
Fanny Davenport in ''Il Fedora" Harrison
Y Gourlay's Skipped by the Light of tho
Noon Mestayer Comedy Company's 1--WE,
Us & Co.. Shadows Off Great City" Dion
Bouci@ult; Dads Girl" Frank Mayo in
his latest success, "Nordeck;" Lolita; Mile.
Aimee, for the first time in English comedy;
y Called Back" the great london success;
Kate Claxton; Lizzie Evans Louis Aid
rich In MY Partner" "Hazel Kirke;"
Madam Janauschek; Rhea, and Joseph JEFF
Terson.