The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-19
THE THEATRICAL WORLD.
Many Striking improvements In the
Interior Arrangements OF
Ming's Opera House.
A Partial List OF Fine Attractions
Booked for tho Present
Season.
House VIII Be Well Warmed and
Wcll Lighted This Year
Theatrical Notes.

Theatrical Notes.
The amusement season in Helena has
opened in u very satisfactory manner to all
patrons OF Ming's opera house, and what In
better, will excel any previous season in the
way of attractions and so far as the comfort
OF thoater-Roers ID concerned.
II was confidently expected last spring
that Helena would have a new grand opera
house under construction by this time. bnt
ii has not come to pass. In the meantime
the theater-going population will DO very
we'll cared for during the coming season.
Ming 9 opera house has been renovated, re-
decorated and refitted in a very creditable
manner, indeed, and seems quite like a new
house to both audience and company. or
course there is still room for further inn
provement, but the house as it is is COM
Portable and OF attractive appearance.
Perhaps the most striking improvement
is in the heating apparatus. Those who
have been in the audience in times gone by,
when the mercury was below zero, will Ger
tainly appreciate this improvement. The
house is now provided with one of the best
steam heating plants in the northwest. In
the basement is a fou%rteen-foot steel
boiler, forty-eiRht inches in diameter, with
forty-eight three-inch tubes, tested to 150
pounds cold water PRESSURE. II takes but
two pounds of steam to heat the h ouse
thoroughly when the thermometer is 40 de-
grees below. There are twenty-five direct
and indirect radiators, There is over 1000
feet of direct, and over 1000 feet of indi-
rect, radiation discharging pure air into the
auditorium Mt the rate of 100000 cubic feet
per hour. This plant was arranged by the
we'll known plumber, Fred Gilbert, andit is
perfect in every way. There will be no
complaints of cold atmosphere in the house
this winter.
In addition, the house has been decor
ated in a plea SAINT and artistic way. After
a thorough cleaning, the ceiling and walls
have been brightly papered, the gallery front
and boxes have been re-gilded and re-
touched, the foyer has been recarpeted,
and a new stained glass partition has been
placed between the lobby and parqust to
protect the audience from cold drauRhts.
The boxes have been r~ecarpeted, furnished
with new m very comfortable chairs and
decorated with new hangings. The dress-
ing rooms lave been cleaned. papered, car
peted and equipped with steam. There
will be no reason for players to complain OF
their accommodations this season.
Next to the steam heating plant, the In
PRODUCTION of a complete system of electric
lights is most noticeable. h improve.
ment in this respect 10 80 striking that Man
ager Remington wonders how he ever got
along without electr lefty. Every corner OF
the building is lit by incandescent Lights
which are controlled in q way which brings
forth the finest effects. The lights can be
shaded or made brilliant with a bare touch
On the little keyboard in the stage en-
trance. The scenery has been retouched
and frightened, and several new pieces will
be secured. If a new drop could be Sc
the change.
Finally it is to be said that in the future
MS in the past, the management will be en-
tirely satisfactory. Mr.. Remington has
been in Helena nearly two years and during
that time has thoroughly demonstrated his
c%apabillty as a manager. he has not only
q complete knowledge of details but he has
become very popular with theater goers by
reason of his courtesy and careful consider
alton of their comfort. Heretofore he has
been handicapped by the bad condition Of
the house, hut this year the house has been
provided with comfortable arrangements
and the manager will leave nothing undone
to satisfy all. The patronage thus far has
been very satisfactory. The opening at
traction, the Parlor Match, was a great sue
cess and with the exception of the Grab
Bag, there AVE been no poor entertain
ments. A partial list of attractions now
booked is as follows: Hanlon's Superba
(srectacular), THE Still Alarm" 1.-The
Pulse of New York" stuart Robson in
''Iho Henrietta Jim the Westsrner,''
''rhe Wolves of New York" "The
Devils Auction" Daniel Sully in 1.-THE
Millionaire" Ludlows troupe Of players
The s%trategists," Frank Daniels, Mile.
Rhsa, Corrinne. Sol Smith Russell, Reed d
Collier in "Hoss and Hoss," Patti Rosa,
Charles Frohman's Jane" James H. Wal
lack, Spider and Fly Cora Tanner, The
Bostonians,. Chas. Dickenson's 'Incog,"
Carleton's Opera company, 1.-THE Presi-
dent" Walter Damroseh orchestra, Katie
Putnam, John L.. Kelley in ~ and T.
Bobby Gaylor In "'Sport McAllister," "a
Turkish Bath" Grismer-Davies company,
'Michael Strogotf'' company, "a Breezy
Time company, Sam T.. jacks 'Creole"
company, Noss' Joiiities, New Orleans
erson's Ministries, Primrose IL Vests min
strels, Fanny Rice's "a jolly SURPRISE
company, ""The County Fair"