Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-05


THE NEW NATIONAL THEATER.
The Handsome and Connections House
Which Will BE Opened Tonight.
POINTS OF EXCELLENCE IN THE AUDITORIUM
HOW THE HOUSE IS ILLUMINATED-THE SEATS,
THE BOXES AND THE SCENERY.
The fourth theater building which has occu-
pied the site stands complete to-day on E street
between 18th and 14th. Little besides wash
ing and busting remains to be done to render
the New National fit for occupancy by specta-
tors and players before and behind the foot
iignts respectively. All will be in readiness for
the opening this evening, when the new house
Will be thronged in every part by an audience
curious to examine this important addition to
the buildings of Washington and anxious to see
Mile. Rhea in a new play.
The Immediate impression made on q be
new house is one of warmth and cosiness. The
oOmlnant color tone is mahogany or deep
cherry, In which the wood work OF the boxes
out toward the orchestra chairs more than In
ahe OLD house. and the occupants of the or
enc are brought nearer to the stage
the prevailing deep color-tone of the house,
mm0Wever, has nothing of the somber about 1t.
Inns Is especially provided against in the Or
cneStra circle and In the balcony by the light
uniting OF walls and ceiling and abundant illu-
m1nation. The lines of the auditorium would
plete diffusion of sound waves originated be-
hlnd the footlights.
THE LOBBY AND OFFICE.
The general arrangement of the front of the
house interiorly differs little from that of the
old house. The lobby, 3Ox4O feet, is beautifully
finished in style quite distinct from the au-
d1tOrium. The paneled ceiling and the walls
are decorated with delicate tracings, tendrils
and leaves, done in plastic work and painted
In silver and bronze. The pillars are also
bronzed, and between them swing two fine
rectangular brass lanterns of Queen Anne de-
sign. Above the entrance doors to both lobby
and auditorium are heavy panes ofstained glass
the lobby is OF plain tiles. The woodwork is
stained mahogany. The staircases leading to
the balcony run up at right angles, instead of
them much safer and more convenient To the
right on entering is a ladies' waiting room; to
of the theater consist Of five small rooms,
including one for clOaks and opera glasses. The
arrangement of the ticketoffice proper is the
same as in the old house. The whole front of
the house can be opened. in three double doors,
as formerly, at the conclusion of performances.
THE INTERIOR.
The orchestra chairs are made with cherry
backs and iron legs, seats, backs and arms up
holstered in crimson brocaded plush. The
seats in the circle and balcony have iron frames
throughout, the seats and arms being upho-
stored in crimson plush: The gallery seats are
to the circle baIustrade at the H middle aisle aisle
There are entrances to the orchestra from tho
side aisles of the circle, as well as near the
circle 464, the balcony 4S4 and the gallery 562
The eight boxes seat six persons each, thus
making the entire seating capacity OF the
The roof or ceilfngis what is known in theatre
cal architecture as "the dish" Above the or
chestra is a rectangular space elevated beyond
that over the gallery. This centers in the chan
delier. Within the depression Tor elevation)the
frescoing conforms in shape. the corners being
the muses. of Comedy, Tragedy, Dancing and
Music. Midway between the angles are me-
Gallons OF Shakespeare, Schiller, Wagner and
coed in rather light tints, with geometrical di-
visions.
The illumination of the house is point of
pride with the management. The great chan
delier, swinging high up from the centre of the
"dish,' looks like a big brass octopus, each of
a candelabra design, the gas lights coming from
imitation candles, while pendant arms termi-
nate in the little glass globes within which
descent electric light. From the cornice of the
upper boxes project row of four gas lights of
three-lighted lustre of chaste design. The bal
cony is illuminated with "star lights. All these
lights, as well as the footlights, are controlled
from the stage by an ingenious and novel "reg-
ulator,' constructed by Mr.. James Lockhead,
of this city. The .foots' consist of three differ
these colors can be turned up or down by a sep
arate cock.
THE BOXES,
which are elaborate In design and ornamental
ton, are in shape what is known as umbrella
or shell. They are painted in mahogany and
bronze the engaged pillars or pilasters, on each
side being stained mainly of a darker color.
These pillars terminate in Egyptian caryatids,
The latter are surmOunted by reclining half.
nude female figures. The central spaces of the
caps are filled with white scrolls and other ale
gorical ornamentation. The drapery Of the
boxes, which was furnished by Mme Binga-
man, of New York. is very rich.
STAGE SCENERY AND PROPERTIES.
The stage building, which has a roof % feet
higher than the auditorium, is separated from
the latter by a fire-proof brick wall There is
also an asbestos curtain. which can be let down,
covering the proscentum opening, in case of
fire. The outer proscenium arch is ornamented
wreath The drop curtain which has already
been described in THE STAR, was painted by
Hoyt, OF New York. 1t is a drapery design in
with bronze or old gold.
The prevailing tone of the scenery is rich but
employed. Altogether, including the different
combinations there are about sixty sets of
scenery. Nearly all of this has been painted by
MIR. j. g. Boss, the skillful artist Of the house.
The stage furniture, including chairs, tables,
bookcases, mantels; and pgRier n.acne vases,
NOUS property man OF the house.
On the stage floor, to the right, are the green
room and three dressing rooms for stars Above
all papered and furnished in q comfortable
manner. The property room, to the left of the
stage, is divided Off by a heavy fireproOf brick
wall The doors to the property room are COW
cred with Sheet-iron. Otherwise every precau-
ton has been taken to guard against fire and to
empty the theater in case of panic. The boiler
room and carpenter shop are in a separate
building to the left, divided from the theater by
an alleyway. The side exits are ample, there
being an alley at each side of the house.
The pitch of the different floors has been
carefully graduated in order that those in the
rear seats may not have their view of the stage
cut off, even by Gainsborough or Pagoda hats
on the heads of nervous ladies in front. An
other improvement which will cOnduce to the
comfort of the auditors is the generous spaces
which have been left between the rows of seats
This point will be peculiarly appreciated by
gentlemen addicted to the habit OF going out be.
tween acts
Opening Of the Gymnasium.
AFTER A SUMMERS VACATION THE CLASS ExER-
CISES RESUMED.
A large and interested class assembled last
Friday evening in the Y. NJ. G. A. gymnasium
to meet Mr.. Sprengel, the new instructor, and
take part in the first class exercises under his
supervision. Every one was greatly pleased
with MIR. Sprengel. He was for seven years
under the instruction of Prof. Turner, OF the
Baltimore Athletic CLUB gymnasium, and has
received several certificates for proficiency.
Exercises were conducted with Indian clubs
and on the horizontal and parallel bars. As
this was the first evening under the new in
structor, some time was consumed in explana-