Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-04-17
NEw PAY HanaE.
a Peep Ento the New Academy {

a Feep Unto the New Academy OF
Wusac a Unique Theatre.
The opening OF the Academy OF Music. on
May 18th, will disclns to Wilmington
theatre patrons unique and Btrik tnHly
pretty play house. There ia not suggas-
tlon OF tbs old play house In this Pb1nix
pile except that part of the old walls nave
been used Everything else IL new and the
improvements over the former building are
eonsptcuously marked. The new building
has advanced to such stage OF completion
being In tho hands uf the fresco artists
as to give very full and correct apprecia-
tlou OF what it will he when finished. j. ID.
Allan OF Philadelphia, the arcniteGt OF two
or three OF the best appointed play houses
In Philadelphia, Is In charge OF the work,
and his ability Ia this special line of WORK
8 apparent o every hand.
The new academy IA considerably more
roomy than the building formerly occupy
Ing tho site, a second gallery giving II II
greatly augmented seating capacity. II Ia
exceedingly compact sud inc relative posi-.
tion OF the stage and auditorium brings
the audience In sympathetic touch Hitn
the performers. Tho pitch OF the three
hoor5 ia such ~ to make I o per orn9nee
perfectly clear In view from every seat In
the house. Tier arc two proscanium boxes
built IN Il semi.pagoda form on each aide
OF stage aud double boxes exactly core.
spending IN the fret gallery, extending
above to the gallery and finished as open
boIee. These will be draped In
olive pluSh and decorated with
artistic hanging and cut glass
chandeliers OF rich design. Patent
folding chairs with nat and coat racks. up
hole cred In old gold will lend additional
color to the dressing OF tho lrst floor, while
pretty wrought gas lit lngs will be em-
ployed to givS the work Il proper finish.
The front OF the Rellerles are OF white
papier mHche moulded In classical tasi ;nE,
to he linished In cream color, Picked IN
pink and gold. lobby eEtsuds the width
of this theatre ut the front aud gives oppor.
tunity for some fine effects IN decoration
through the employment OF colored glass.
The ticket Office is ut the left OF O en-
| trance and small rOon for the manager
occupies cosy niche on the opposite side.
There are CLOSETS and lRyatories on each
! loor.Tha second and third galleries are ap.
| proacned through separate doors from thG
street. and entered BY aeparate and inda
pendent stairways. Bresdth and ease Of
ascent have been the main purposes In
view In designing means OF ingress and
egress.
| The beauty OF the lines OF the boxes and
| galleries at once discovers itsolf to the eye.
they are In most graceful and artistic
sweeps and curves, Of exquisite symmetry
and Proportions. Above the burtres-e5 the
galleries are finished Ia stout light railinRs,
imparting 0 fseling OF liehtness to the In
! terror st these pototH, which Rra usually
cumbersome and heavy.
The proscenium Is fi,lshed as huge gilt
! picture franc. 3 form usually conceded TO
bs most appropriate and artistic, adding "a
the realis II OF tho stage piCturas. In ite
opening the proscenlum ia very large, and
tbs stage ie amply roomy and sufficient In
height to admit OF the presentation oil
almost any attraction. The space beneath
the stage Is used as a property room. and
the basement under the pegquet Ia suhdl-
vided into dressing rooms aud fitted up
| with stationary washstands and all other
cOnvenienceS.
In thu fresGoinS neutral tints prevail and
this caltuR whlch runs IN dome shape
fashion will lend suggestion Of an over
head eky. Cherry will be- the psedonluat-
| Ing color for the wood work and furniture.
The Interior OF the hoGle Is surprisingly
attractive and its arrangement Is superb.
| 1t will be bright and airy and rich IN It's tone
and feeling when completed and Will be
exceedingly COSY, Ffom an extertlr point
of View the architecture has been greatly
improved. The front is of galvanized iron
10 ornate forms, massive In It's effect. Tnis
will be finished as light grey sandstone
New scsnetY Is being painted for the house
| by n we'll known stage artist. and this gives
promise OF bains rarely attractive. pht
drop curtain will ha OF heavy plush. When
completed and ready for use RMS new play
Will be gem and will represent an outlay
OF over 44O, 600.
The oWner5 have not yet decided npon O
manager for tbs new housA, but 1t 10 prob
able that thig will be determined In time Il
book tie attractions for next season.