Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-09-27
THE THEATER
Transformed by the Architect, Joiner
and Painter 1uto Gem Of Art
Complete Description
or The Bsautifal Interior Which VIII
Be Formally Reopened Tomorrow
Night by Emma Abbott.
The Changes Made In the Emma Abbott
Opera Company, Which Is to
Open the Theater..

s-~@--s
1t is safe to predict that the large and
cultivated audience which will assemble
at Leubrse's Theater tomorrow, the
opening night, will be delighted with the
radical changes which have been made
in its interior since last season. Feeling
that the public demanded, after having
waited SO long, something more than
new curtain, a few frost scenes or coat
of paint, it was decided to effect an en-
tire change, and contracts running up
into the sneighborhood of $25, 900 were
let accordingly. Determined that there
should be no cause for complaint this
season, the best talent the country at
forded was obtained. Mr.. j B. Nc
Elphatne, who has designed number of
the handsomest theaters in the United
States, was
EMPLoYED AS ARCHITECT,
and Nf S. NJ. Hoffman, whose long
years of experience in that line have
made him an enviable reputation, was
given the contract Hoyt, whose name is
a guarantee, was given the delicate task
of painting curtain, and p. NJ Almeny,
whose frescoing in the st. Louis aud
Chicago Grand Opera Houses and other
places entitle. him to place in the front
rank, was selected as decorator. For
several months the interior of the thea
ter has been scene of the liveliest ac
tivity, and now, when the last deft
touches have been put upon it,
THE RESULT is A GEM.
The first blow of the hammer was one to
strike away rather than to repair the in
terror, aud everything was quickly re-
moved, leaving only the four bare walls
and an empty stage. The galleries were
entirely removed, and even the plaster
ing was taken away to the laths. The
balconies as now built are much lower
ing the center considerably nearer the
boxes, making four in all, one on each
end Of either gallery next the stage. The
IRON PILLARS
by which they are supported are placed
between the third aud fourth rows of
seats, instead of on the edge; as before.
A low railing separates the orchestra cir
cie from the pit, and the musicians will
sit in a lower box in front of the stage,
running its entire width, and making
their quarters much more commodious
than before When sitting, their shoul-
ders will be several feet below the fo ot-
lights, aifording those in the orchestra
chairs or pit an unobstructed
VIEW OF THE STAGE.
A broad aisle leads from the main en-
trance to the center of the stage, and an
other which has circles about the walls,
has others radiating from it toward the
center. The boxes are separate aud dis
tlnct from the orchestra circle and the
dress circle above, and are so built as to
have the appearance of separate bal
comics in themselves. The upper boxes
are supported by iron columns and are
entered by means Of arched doorways
from the circles. They are embellished
by heavy carving, and give quite an air
OF distinction to the place.
THE CHAIRS
which were used down stairs last year
have been removed to what is nov known
as the dress circle, in reality the first
balcony, aud they have been replaced by
others Of the latest desigo, the first lot
ordered under the pateat obtained by
Demoresf They are covered with red
leather, well cushioned, aud the backs
| and seats are square in shape. The seat
| folds up and the back gives to the form
| in such a way as to secure the greatest
degree of comfort possible in theater.
The hat may be slowed away in
WIRE RACK
provided for it under the seat, aud an
| other arrangement ON the back takes care
of the shawl, cane and umbrella. AS al
ready stated, the chairs in the first bal
| cony are the same as those formerly used
| down stairs. In the second ,allery
| benches, curved so as 10 follow the lines
of the front and provided with comfort
able backs, have been built, and the
space Immediately in front has been par
| titioned off for the exclusive use of the
colored people. 1t has been nicely paint
ed and carpeted and no better
| VIEW OF THE STAGE
can be obtained from any other part o
the house. The entrances to the theatel
are in accordance with the most approved
ideas. The ticket-box and side stair
ways, which formerly obstructed th,
vestibule, have been torn away aud
broad flight of stairs now leads the wa,
to the main entrance, another com
modious stairway giving access from tn,
street to the gallery. Steps lead from
either side of the laudiUg in front of tn
main entrance to the dress circle above
and they are so arranged that by turning
at Que angle one can enter the dress circl
little at one side, or by turning anothe
way, pass IN over
A HANDSOME BALCONY
landing out from the wall into the vesti
bule, whose ceiling now vaults to tn
roof. A private stairway, which may b
used in case of necessity, also leads froI
the dress circle to the gallery. The stag
has been entirely changed. The floor ha
been renewed, and does not slant towar
the front so much as before. The open
ing is higher, and the fanges so arrange
as to make it in reality much more com
modious. All the rigging has been re
newed, and the few old stock scene
which will be permitted to remain hav
been freshened up.
THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR HEATING
! and lighting sre superb. Air is draw
.. into the heaters from the outside, and
! therefore pure. An electrical instrr
ment, delicate and costly, has been py
in, by means of which the gas may
lighted or extinguished at the sam
: moment in every part OF the house, q
any portion of it may be regulated ;
will. The seating capacity of the hous
= has been considerably increased, an
there are now 630 seats in the orchestl
circle, 200 in the orchestra, and 430
= the dress circle, which would make u
+ seating capacity of the house 1850, e,
Z elusive of the gallery. The arrang
ment OF
g THE LIGHTS
!, Will attract the most favorable motto
i immediately upon entering the theate
' attention is arrested by splendid cha
j. delier, which depends by polish,
|. brass rod from the center of the lof
!, ceiling in the vestibule 1t has fo,
l. clusters of three lights each, with fo
3, single lights above and a jeweled Ian
n in the center below, which sheds pc
l. feet rainbow Of brilliant rays. In d
dome large octagapal frame filled wi
apagne glass, which hides a
RING OF LIGHTS,
: has an arm supplied with three candl
20 projecting from each angle. Four sma
70 er octagons surround it, each havi
of twelve lights. In all there are 1872 g
ID Jets in the dome, and the effect VIII
D. they are lighted is superb. Around t
rs walls there are FIVE chandeliers, ca
ut having a cluster of six candles. Upsta
is the chandeliers, like those in other pc
It's tions of the house, are of polished bra
each one having three arms, with t
lights protected by globes of fgur
glass. An arm projecting from the W
es over the upper box on either side 81
r. ports five lamps of antique design.
81 THE CURTAIN
ID is masterpiece, and with so deft ha
og has the shading been done that 1t is di