Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-09-01
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
Clunie Opera House openins.


The new thester, the Clunje Opera
House, opened last evening with a fash
ionable array i'll the dress circle and a gen
eral audience of experienced theater-goers.
The house was not full, but it was never
theless large audience. The house was
the chief attraction on opening night as a
matter of course. The new theater has
been fully described in these columns As
TO the impression it gave visitors last night
II may be said thai it was one OF unani-
nous favor 1t is certainly as handsome and
well appointed a temple of the drama as
there Is on the Pacific coast. and in the
matter of exits, commodiousness, acoustic
properties and conveniences in the audito-
rum, ii is the best appointed theater west
of the Missouri. The lobbies above and
below are exceedingly broad and long; the
exits, ten in number are so distributed
upon the four sides and are so near to and
direct 10 the streets and alleys, that such
thing as a panic-crush would seem to be
impossible The seating is admirable, be-
ing devoid OF upholstery, perforated bot
tom and back folding seats being below,
and comfortable benches above There is
such rOominess that one can pass from
his seat along an,entire row without incom-
modlng other SitteTs. Every seat has a
hat rack, programme and shawl rack, and
an lnclosed opera-glasS and package shelf
The aiSle5 are broad and more numerous
IN their opening from dress circle to parauet
than is usual. The boxes are open. and
above instead of below the stage level, and
are outside the line of vision of other sit
tiers. The stage is q few feet less in depth
than that of the Metropolitan, and a little
broader. There is wonderful hight to the
rigging loft, and an immense stage venti-
lator above it, while host of wall venti-
lators are set in the auditorium walls.
with Il great central one in the
ceiling. These are supplemented
by eight windows set with stained
glass. The walls are richly deco
rated with artistic paper of handsome
pattern, producing warm and very pleas
ing effect. Gold is the relief, with a tint
of green in the background on the walls,
while the ceiling is in a much lighter tint. |
1t would perhaps have been better had the
wall color been a shade lighter and brighter.
Side and balcony lights prevail, and are
ample. The acoustic properties are all
that could be desired by the exacting On
the south side is a ladies' retiring-room,
and on the left bar-room and mems lobby.
The interior effect, to the eye is thoroughly
pleasing from whatever point of view and
the pitch Of the floors is such that no one
row of sitters can impede the view of an
other to the rear. The scenery is of the
best character, and testifieS to thorough
capacity in the artist Mr. wilkins. The
dropcurtain, by Mr.. Wilkins, presents an
architectural view, and is accurate and har-
monious in proportions and elaborate
IN detail. 1t Is a view OF Warwick Castle,
1t has but one fault; by reason of its lack
OF distance effects. or breadth of landscape
1t too soon satisfies the eye and does not in
vite TO a speculative or continued view.
This, however, is purely matter of taste.
The orchestra is well placed, and last even
ing under the direction of Albert Meyer did
good work. The managers and lessees are
Cotton Il ChenOweth, and the stage mana
ger William Lansing The company last
evening presented the melodrama Wait
ing for the Verdict Mrs. Cotton, William
Lansing and ]. Sambrook had the leading
parts and maintained them well. Mrs Cot
ton surprised her friends by the warmth and
feeling she threw into the part assumed
The company is large, and mainly COM
posed of new faces. 1t does not we
assume, set up to be high art
combination, but a fair stock"
While notice of it, however, is re-
served for second night, it must be said
that it labored under what we must deem
an error of judgment in being east for the
opening night in new house in piece
full Of somber hueS and but rarely relieved
monotone of pathos being due to the low
comedy acting Of George c. Staley and
Georgia Hayne, competent people in their
line. As has been noted y. ID. Goodell
and Colonel A. NJ GRAY were architects of
the new structure Colonel GRAY. who has
had the designing Of thirteen theaters on
the coast, was noticed as present last even
ing. The owner OF the property, T. j.
Clunie. with his family, occupied a box.
Hot L
the beauty and roominess and gen
eral excellence of the opera house that
has been christened with his name, and
was so unanimously approved by the Wis
ltors last night. The opera house will be
opened tonight at the low prices of so and
p cents, upon which basis it is proposed
by Messrs. Cotton a. Chenoweth to run it. |
On that plane, light pleasing and varied
pieces are 10 be produced within the
capacity Of fair painstaking stage people,
and, as occasion offers, stars of particular
excellence are to be engaged Souvenirs of
the opening were presented to ladies at
tending last night III the form of pro-
grammes printed on satin. Tonight
Waiting for the Verdict will be repro
duced, with all its fine mountings and
melodran,atic effects. Box sheet for re-
served seats at theater. Tonight perform
ance will probably be smoother and
stronger, and the subsequent ones grow
better in proportion as the actors become
acquainted with Sacramento audiences.
OFF FOR GRASS YALLEY.-The fair in
Nevada county, embracing the agricultural
district composed of Nevada and Placer
counties, is evidently going to be big
success, Judging from the interest taken in
it by residents of Sacramento and San
Francisco. A large number of horsemen
and others have been going over there
during the past two days and many fine
horses have been sent to compete in the
races. In addition to those heretofore
mentioned q carload came up from San
Francisco yesterday morning on the pas
senger train, among the number being
Beaconsfield, Glendair, Ned Cook Tom
Atchison. Arthur H., John A, Nelson,
Moonlight, Ned and Paramount They
left for Grass Valley on the noon train,
accompanied BY Ichi Ban, Eda, Killarney
and Tilton Almont. sent from this city.
A GRAND purchase of % cases OF goods |
for spot cash. from Greenebaum & Co., I
auctioneers. Fine silks and finesilk yelvets !
at low prices. All are invited to inspect /
them to-day. Red House.
THE infants kid button shoes, for 25 cents |
pair. advertised for yesterday and to-day, |
owing TO the large demand for them vester- |
day they were all closed out. Red Houses
A epop secondhand Steinway piano
cheap, AZ GiTaId's. corner Seventh and J. .