Evening journal., 1890-05-03
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
THE PRETTlEsT THEATRE IN TIE
COUNTRY.

Clubs Opening on May I5-BeaHtifuI
DeoOrations-LArge Seating Capacity.
The whole Stage Seen From Each Seat.
The Academy OF Music will be form
ally sopened on Thursday evening, May
15, when the Tuesday Club will give
floral concert. Dilworth P. Wells is the
manager Of the new play house, and he
has reason to be proud of the theatre
under his control.
The Academy Of Music is at the north
east conner of Delaware avenue and Tat
nall street, and extends from the avenue
to small street running from Tatnall
| street east. The front of the building is
of galvanized iron, making a unique and
tasty effect. at the top centre the name
of the house is displayed in raised let
| ters. The many windows are ornamented
with the galvanized iron, embossed in
pretty designs. The exterior is being
painted.
Three double doors allow ingress and
egrsss. The box office for the pit and
balcony or family circle. is in the west Of
the main entrance. The ticket Office for
the gallery is east Of the the main en-
trance and is entirely distinct from the
other
A double door leads to a Eve feet wide
lobby extending the width Of the house,
and connected with the auditorium by
windows Of white glass. All doors have
movable transoms for perfect ventila-
tion. The parquet with the boxes will
seat $50 persons. The seats will be
upholstered all over with old gold, and
manufactured by Andrews & Company.
Two boxes are on each side of the house
in the parquet and balcony. The hang
ings in the boxes will be Of genuine silk
tapestry imported, in old gold and olive.
Red silk plush will also be used Carpets
will be in the boxes and on the aisles and
strirways, of red Wilton velvet. The
house is wainscotted throughout and is
finished thoroughly and substantially.
The front of the balcony boxes and the
balcony and gallery are papier mache,
decorated in silver, gold and cream. The
effect is magnificent and the work shows
to great advantage, The ceilings of the
rear of the auditorium and the balcony
are decorated with beautiful floral de-
signs, The boxes on the first floor are
not yet finished, but they will be covered
with adamant and painted bronze.
The scaffolding is now being removed
from the interior, aud allows good view
soon as the plasterers finished the work
on that portion, the painters began and
placed upon it horizon and cloud effect
in soft colors, that is pleasing to the eye
and neat, not gaudy. The upper walls
have hanging curtain finish that looks
real
The top of the proscenium contains
some pretty flower designs, and the con
Meeting proscenium arch to the two side
pillars, Is, with those pillars, finished il
papier maehe painted in silver and gold
The stage is reached by an entrance OF
the western aisle of the paraquet. The
opening is 81 feet; height, 80 feet; depth
81 feet. 1t will be provided with COM
plete set of scenery and drop curtain
This curtain will be in imitation of vel
vet, painted by Slemmler, like the Parl
and South Broad, Philadelphia, theatres
which were also painted by Slemmler
The stage has an iron nose, and is large
enough for almost any attraction on th'
road.
The dressing rooms are under the par
quet. There are eleven rooms. aud each
will be supplied with water and fur
nished The. stars dressing room i
under the stage at the foot of the stairs
leading to the stage. Two stairways lead
from from the stage to its basement.
music and stock room will fill the re-
naming space. In front of the stage i
the orchestra pit for ten performe rs
Jules Reybold viii probably have charg
of the music.
The entrance to the balcony or famil
circle is by stairways to the right of tn
main entrance. The balcony will seat 40
persons. The chairs have arrived and ar
now being put in position. They hav
iron castings with red upholstered
seats.
Distinct stairways lead to the CALLER
which is provided with stationary seats
not upholstered. The seating capacit
is $50.
A remarkable and pleasant feature {
the arrangement OF the Academy o
d Music is that of 900 persons, who ma
be in it at the time, each OIL
1 can see every foot of ii
stage. 1t is impossible to find SCI
from which the whole stage cannot
seen.
: J. D. Allen was the architect of I'll
: building and superintendent of the worl
The foundation walls and supportin
piers are much stronger than are genei
{ ally built. In case of necessity the hous
can be emptied in three minutes.
r The carpenters expect to finish the
work this week and the plumbers will /
through next week.
The general admission fee to tn
d Academy OF Music will be 80 cents an
e the prices will range from % cents to 8.
The management states that it will /
( run for the benefit Of Wilmington people
Z Z that standard attractions will be secure
so that everybody will be satisfied.