New-York tribune., 1885-02-16
A THEATRE FOR MIR. BARRETT.
TO HAVE BIG NEW HOUSE OF HIS OWN.
HIS IDEAS AS TO ITS MANAGEMENT-COMEDf AND
TRAGEDY TO ALTERNATE.

HIS IDEAS AS TO ITS MANAGEMENT-COMEDf AMI
TRAGEDY TO ALTERNATE.
In the graceful and thoughtful little speech
with which Lawrence Barrett took leave OF the Ne"
York public a Saturday night he hined tha'
before long he should have theatre OF his own III ths
city, wherein his ideas Of management might be more
fully developed. It has been for some time an open
secret In theatrical circles that Mr. Barrets ambition
has for years lain In this direction and lately the project
has assumed a FORM syndicate OF capitalists
have made proposals to Mr.. Barrett when II
accepted will result In the erection OF theatre whch
will hold the relation to the amusement world OF
Ncw-York the Lyceum does to that Of London some
weeks ago Mr.. Barrett in talking the afair SAID
have certain ideas both about the actual building OF
q theatre and also about It's subsequent MANAGEMENT
which have long waited for an opportunity TO carry
ont think that now have every prospect OF seeing
my wishes gratned Certain people have signed To me
their desire to build theatre In accordance with my
suggestions. The situation has been decided upon ana IL
very OF the most desirable part OF the city
That il the first essential believe that situation plays
an important part In the success or nsnccess OF any
theatre The Is of the right sizc oO-about 2Ooxloo
ce:wbich affords sufficient room for carrying out an
other my ideas which is that theatre to he success
ul must be bampered by too great rent and thaf
therefore the interest the capital invested must be
paid by the utilization OF the property In other ways
besides the theatre proper Thus site of the dimen
sons have referred To there will be ample room for
major portion Of the front As long rs theirs Is largr
ami noble entrance To theatre one needs no more lhe
of eutiOn 10 this point was think the carllnh
error In Mr. Booths theatre which, had IL been hanked
with stores something OF the sort, might be IN exist
ence day. As To the auditorium, beve IL should b'
grandy decorated but without excess OF ornaments
on to distract the eye from "a. stage That should o
the focus OF you know after AL the plays
the thing. sructurally. need hardly say the theatrr
should he entirely nrcprOnf tnd see why tue
stage Itself should not hc lah on nreproOt moor whl'h
would decrease to great extent the chief danger
of modern theatre. A. rule yOn VIII hnd that the
majority OF theatre fires start behind the curtain and
H. this region which shou II far possible be rendered
fire proof. The canvas which scenes painted
distcmIcr l., yOu know. non cOfnbustiblc II will char
hut II will not flame and see why the frame
work itself should not lie formed OF light ste'
rods which woui put the scenery entirely out OF the
category Of nrdmmahle material The rigginglnft. also
fayorite point Of attack for re. might he OF metal
All the upper rigging at the STAGE might he 50 con
siruccd that, by cutting rop" In some secure por
OF the theatre II would a body To the stage.
where The frc could easily be controlled.
"NOw. as to the management. am convinced that q
manager who will take high ground III hi
views ~ art has every prospect Of succe7.
In New-lOrk NJ the present time. but
agaist several evils which have ~ la'e
crrpt Into theatrical management In the nrst place.
believe there Is more harm than good done 10y S"hdlng
travelling companies. Let the people of other citle~
know that they want Ia your COiupa ~ and ,Ouf
play they must % New York. and thry wll wal
until the opportunity offers. instead Of seeing
SECOND hand their own city. should ike 10 nave "a
change during the week, that tragedy
ana comedy mght each nave chanSr Of representation.
portion Of the week being devoted Ia the former AMI
the other Ia the ldt"r AnV hcI naoNatlO should NAr
made would be- the OF tnr prize or adm
Why should every grade AMI every variety of dri
matte wars 10 sold ~ the same price lf uanagei
entertainment aN0wrdly superior Ia hat ui
the block away, WHY should b" not charg"
more ~ That 1 should try - interrst beet
known artists In my schcincs and gain ron thrin shg
geslons from their ripe artistic experience, nced