Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-09-18
AGRAND THEATRE.
The R-mederca Burti- Opera House,
a Fine Davenport Enterprise.

n Fine Davenport Enterprise.
The Burtis opera house at Davenport
has undergone some great changes during
the past two months; II has been COM
pletely remodeled and is now one OF the
most elegant theatres in the west. The
Democrat Gdsette has given IL great
write-up;
The prosceuium arch has been greatly
altered. aud now gives the stage and its
occupants the appearance OF great an
mated picture eucased in a gilt frame OF
grand proportions and great beauty 1t
has been moved forward seven feet. so
that the stage has gained that much in
depth, while the full swell front still
gives II sll the needed room before the
curtain. The front Of the stage has been
considerably elevated. so as to place IL
more nearly on level and dispel the
idea that the actors aud set rocks and
stage buildings are about To slide down
hill and land on top Of the orchestra
The stage has been widened about six
feet in the wings. so that much larger
scenery can now be set than formerly
Three roomy dressing rooms are afforded
on each side of the stage and three in the
rear. and a new stage floor has been
laid The floor of the house has been
remodeled Instead OF being a uniform
slope from the foyer to the orchestra. 1t
has been divided into parquet and par
quet circle, or dress circle. Five
proscenium boxes have been added
upon each side--three below and
two above. They are very prettily
constructed and are furnished hand
somely and draped in terra Gotta and light
blue plush. The upper boxes contain
six seats and the lower ones four; all
movable. The old benches in the rear of
the balcony have been taken out and
modern orchestra chairs put IN, and the
railing has been lowered. A very cosy
ladies' reception room has been opened
and furnished on the north side Of the
building. Immediately adjoining the en-
trance but reached, of course, by an
inner door. The sisles are newly carpeted
and the house renovated throughout in
all respects. The mural decorations are
especially pleasing. The walls are COW
cred with pretty. light colored paper
and the ceiling and dome are very hand
e''hN W mth htcOuiuk W purple anu olut
with gold relievings. In the dome huge
62-iet Heckley sunburner. to be used on
especially brilliant occasions. and at
times when the general illumination
may fail The latter will he secured
by the Thone system Of incandescent
lights, furnished by our Hawkeye
Electric Manufacturing company, and
not less than 800 Of those lamps are scat>
tered about the big auditorium. along the
balcony and gallery fronts, the border OF
the ceiling, the spring Of the arch of the
dome, and elsewhere about the pillars.
and the walls and in the boxes, wood,
landscape, rocky pass. garden, horizon.
cut wood. fancy arch, two fancy cham
bers. plain chamber. kitchen. prison,
and Gothic. In the course Of few
months still other sets will he added, 90
that the theatre will then have the most
complete scenery list in the state.
The sums expended in these improve
ments is fully $1,000. A c. Mann. the
new manager, takes hold OF the house
under auspices that augur season oil
prosperity for the theatre and full salts.
faction for its patrons. The opening or
Monday night will. without doubt, he
fully attended.