National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-13
THE EEw PARLoR TuEATER.
How the Ola Fords Opera House has
been Remodeled and Beautined.

III 0w the Ola FOrds opera House mas
been Remodeied and Beautined.
Harris's Bijou Thcater, late Ford's Opera
House, will give an informal reception to
the press this evening for inspection and
review. The new proprietor, Mr.. Harris,
has expended some $4,000 in improve
ments, which have been going on for the
last ten days under the supervision Of his
business manager, Mr.. j. II. Anderson.
There has been no appreciable change in
the exterior appearance Of the opera house,
hut on entering the building one Is at once
struck with the wonderful transformation
Of the vestibule. The box Office is on the
right, the ladies toilet on the left Of the en-
trance. The old box Office has been re-
moved and is now part of the large hand
somely carpetCd, aud richly furnished foyer.
From the foyer you ascend to the the
atorium, almost fearing to tread on the costly
tapestry-brussels of the grand stairway.
You now enter the parquet and passing
midway down the center aisle one can best
obtain a sweeping view of the auditorium
and stage.
1t is now that the work Of the artisan is
most evident. The renovation Is indeed
complete, and In striking contrast to its
former dingy appearance under the old
regime. Inventive genius, taste, and lib
eral outlay are all visible. There remains
nothing 70 suggest aud nothing to improve.
1t Is true the internal structure remains the
same, but in form only. As was once re-
marked, "Ford's was n good frame to
build on.n And Mr. Harris has taken the
skeleton framework and infused the light
of his genius and cmbued II with new life.
The old orchestra chairs sit erect, not grim
visaged and uninviting us fyore, but proud
and happy in their new coats OF bronze and
velvet cushions. And, as the soft mellow
sunlight enters and takes colors from the
stained glass windows, halo Of intelligence
seems to pervade the very chairs them
selves, while they rise like old acquaintances
to bid you welcome.
What were bare walls before no longer
expose their nakedness, but, clad In their
new raiments Of exquisite teXtured paper
ing, are radiant and bewitching In q har-
monious blending of maroon and gold.
Your eyes are instinctively attracted toward
the ceiling, which is resplendent in velvet
panels of maroon and gilt with edgings of
blue.
The dome in the center. from which de-
pends the electric light, is of the same de-
sign. The balcony has also been touched
by the magic wand of improvement, AMI
will hereafter rest contentedly supported
by slender Etruscan pillars Of pink and
gold, touched here and there In faintest
blue. They take the place Of the old cum
marks Of Noah. Mr.. Harris put them on
his list, ~ know they'll not be missed ~
And still another change, before we 60
| behind the scenes. The boxes on either
side Of the stage have been newly draped
and carpeted. Curtains Of valenciennes
have been hung, and present a charming
| front TO the visitor, decorated and painted
as they are in soft cream color and gilt.
Beauty, taste, and comfort for his patrons
| is the motto Mr.. Harris has stamped on
every inch Of space in,the auditorium, from
the footlights to the remotest corner Of the
| balcony. Everything is most pleasing in
| front, and now for behind the footlights
But stop, the prompter rings down the cur
tain. As you watch 1t descend, gradually
unrolling, you see at first bright colors,
| then a Grecian pillar In white appears,
then faces and heads of ancient Greeks
the scene enarges, forms Of men and
women are brought to view, and rs the
curtain strikes the floor you see IL under
standingly for the first time. 'Tis the
picture Of picture. Representing an ideal
Bacchanalian revel, in the center Nene-
tian sword dance is in progress, and to the
right, near pool of water, are musicians
| playing on lutos and zithers The plain in
the distance is model Of perspective. The
scene is suggestive Of Egypt, and one
imagines the pyramids are about to rise in
the distance. The curtain is the work Of
the brilliant young artist, Mr.. Rettig, Of
| Cincinnati.
The curtain now rises; you enter on the
stage. In the flies, to the right and left and
| in the background, new scenery has been
arranged, new dressing rooms have been
erected, and the wants of our dear friends
| of the theatrical profession have been pro-
vided for by Mr.. Harris with as much good
taste and generosity as he has displayed in
his appreciation of the wants of their good