National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-10-04

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woodwork, handsomely carved, pierced
by. five arches, which connect tho six
columns which support tho balcony above.
On either side are arched screens Of spin
die work over the aislcs leading to the
lower boxes. The orchestra circle is d.
vidod into six sections, with a seating
capacity for 500 people. The chairs are
| iron-framod folding, with stuffed seats
and backs of polished cherry, with hat
rack under scat. Tho main aisle is feet
In width, tho side aisles Al feet, and the
space between rows of seats ample for
oven "six-footcr" to stretch out his
limbs and sit with comfort.
The orchestra Is separated from the
circle by a carved railing With upholstered
top, filled in by panuels of hard wood,
ornamented with mill work. A six foot
aisle divides tho orchestra into two sec.
tions, each containing fifteen rows Of
seats, and an aisle 4 feet wide follows the
curve Of the dividing rail and surrounds
the seats. In this portion of the audito-
rum there are 800 iron framed chairs of
the most improved pattern, having fold
Ing arms and seats with hat rack
attachment double spring cushions,
cushions and backs of chairs upholstered
in rich, dark crimson plush. Directly in
front Of the stage Is q space of feet wido
and Al feet long, enclosed by n hand
somoly wrought railing of bronze for the
musicians of the orchestra with raised
dias In the center for the directors seat
There will BIO fourteen private boxes
seven on each side Of tho stage.
| On tho orchestra and balcony floors tho
boxes are arranged two on each side of
the STAGE each box measuring by 10
feet, and designed to seat eight persons.
| On tho gallery floor tho boxes arc ar
ranged three on each side of the stage,
and arc so constructed that they can be
thrown together for the accommodation
Of largo parties. The columns of tho
boxes arc Of turned hard wood, tho CAPT.
tails and upper half Of each being richly
ornamented with artistic designs in
papier- mache. Tho same style of decora-
tions Is followed out in tho Ornamental
ton of the fronts of the boxes, tho
arches and cornices, and canopies which
surmount tho cornices of the boxes in
the second tier.
Tho boxes will DO furnished with ri CHI
parlor suites. upholstered to match tho
hangings, which will DO of crimson
reppod silk with curtains of fine lace.
Tho plan Of the boxes is so complete
that the occupants of each have O full
view of the stage and the auditorium.
The proscenium arch is supported by
carved double columns 90 feet Z inches
high with chord of Al feet and radius
of 90 feet 6 inches. Tho arch itself IL
heavily nodded and tho keystone orna.
mentod with appropriate devices. There
will DO two curtains, tho first containing
nearly $500 square yards of canvas, to be
painted by celebrated scenic artist OF
New York, attached to Wallack's now
theator. There will DO a complete do.
parture in selecting the subject for this
curtain, and it is now thought that in
stead of the stercotyped landscape with
the wooden figure in the foreground, II
will bear view Of the arena of an ancient
Roman circus with chariot race between
amazons. This curtain will DO raised OF
tho beginning and lowered ut tho close o.
each performance. Tho ''act drop" will
be a curtain of blue silk plush mos
artistically draped and fringed and lined
with canvas. The cost of this curtain
will DO over $4,000. The full Dimensions
of the stage are 80 feet in depth by 50 feet
in width, with an area of Al by SO feet
available for scenic display. In construc.
ton the stage follows tho latest and most
approved methods, being perfectly level
instead of the inclined surface, which at
one time was regarded as absolutely in
dispensable to the proper presentation OF
the drama. 1t is fitted with the most
improved style Of traps, scene docks, and
other appliances, and against the real
wall Is a huge franc work 60 by 80 feet
suspended by pullies and sliding up ant
down in grooves. This Is the easel of thu
scenic artist, Mr.. Milton Slemmer, who il
now hard at work upon elegant interiors
moated castles, and dark dungeon cells
to meet the requirements of that lurit
production known ~ the modern drama
There are two rigging lofts above thu
level of the upper gallery which arr
connected by bridges at the from
and back of the stage. The heavy
timber which forms tho guard rail at tn,
edge of each loft is pierced with upward o
q thousand augur holes, in which are in
serted the Delaying pins to which will b.
made fast the ropes which move the scene
and flies. Here are also the two wind
lasses for hosting tho drop and act cur
tains The south loft is the laboratory o
Mr.. Morgan Sherwood, tho 'propert,
man." who is now engaged in building
massive marble statues, vases, and man
tells, wherein he uses up much pine boards
paper, paint and Glue. Tho north loft /
occupied by Mr.. Nick Loretz, tho ma
chinist Of the theator. He is q rather fat
bald headed man, whose handsome face /
full to OVERLOOKING with jolliJy and goo,
! humor. He is tho artist who shoot
Mephistopheles up from tho Internal re
gions through star trap, supplies tn
balcony wherein Juliet Capulet spoon
with young Romeo Montague, and, il
short, the moving spirit whose duty it !
to Undue with life all that enchant tee
region behind the footlights. The scene
and properties will all BIO brand new, an,
with the plot of the Abbott season alread,
before them tho whole force of artists an,
assistants are busy preparing every item
, and detail for the production of the weel
of opera. Just back of the lower tier o
boxes, on each side, are located the star
, dressing rooms. These are about ten fee
square, and fitted with wardrobes. wash
r stands, closets. and are we'll ventilate,
/ and heatad. In rear of the balcony boxe
, will be two other rooms, intended for tn
support, and similarly provided. Tn
, other dressing rooms to the number q
, sixteen are located on the stage along tn
, north wall and under the stage. On til
south side is the stairway leading bencatl
the stage, the green room, and stage man
, ayers room. A portion of the space be
meath the stage will be devoted to tn
} storage Of heavy properties and stag
, machinery.
, The general plan of the orchestra circle
: both as to lobby, foyer, and screens,
; repeated on the balcony floor. Tho seat
are divided into six sections by cente
: aisle feet wide, with side aisles measur
ing a. feet. The rise from the balloon
t rail to the last row of seats is 81 fee
7 insuring u full view of tho stage fror
: every point. The seating capacity is 50l
: with iron folding chairs upholstered j
crimson plush, and having hat rae
3 attachment. Tho entrance to tho boxC
l on either side are treated the same as o
! the floor below. In tho northwest corner
| of both tho main aud balcony floors ar
\ ladies' retiring rooms, the entrances t
which are screened of from the foyers.
5 The gallery has lobby of nearly tn
= same size as tho lower floors, which is ell
S tered at the south end by q short flight {
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