The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-06-28

drop curtain Ia view Of the Ashuelot Val
leyJ up or down in trice. Tbat vince
operates a hydraulic machine in the base
ment which works the curtain. Undei
the auditorium Ia d cemented basement
for the steam heating and machinery and
for the storage of every thing when tie
decks are cleared for dancing. Under the
stage are dressing rooms, green room
and 4 Kitchen. for the especial rejection
OF the members Of the cast. Il is a model
theatre aud probably me most thoroughly
appointed for entirely amateur work il
America
Mr.. George v. HeclzeE one of the pio-
neers Of amateur acting in New York
city, erected over his stables at great ex-
pense superb little theatre where many
Of the leading amateurs OF the city re.
ceiyed their first expe rience Of the histri-
onic ART
The late Leonard jerome also utilized
the first floor of his stables in precisely
the same way, aud DR.. Ward had an ele.
CANT bijou theatre at his residence in New
York.
Among English private theatres. one OF
the most unique Is that of Lieutenant
Colonel Horneycroft at Tettenhall Tow
ers. It has ground plan one hundred
feet square and upwards of fifty feet in
height. 1t has a gallery running round
il, profusely decorated with some of the
most splendid old oak carvings and vita
arms, or, trophies OF the chase. works
of art aud articles de luxe Under the
gallery on one side Is a gigantic old Eng
lish canopied fire place. inside which a
large dinner party can be held.
The stage occupies about quarter OF the
ground plan. In the rear of the stage is
recess with avast plate glass window
overlooking the park. When a garden
scene Is desired the iron shutter behind is
withdrawn and this window Is exposed.
The grounds being then illuminated with
calcium lights, give an actual garden
stage 800 feet deep. When the window
is closed the recess serves for cascade of
% feet fall, with apparatus for the pris-
matte lighting OF the water The audi
torium is fitted as a Injurious drawing
room. the floor being covered principally
by the skins OF tigers and other ferocious
animals shot in India and Africa by the
Colonies sons By perfect system of
ventilation and heating some thousand
cubic feet or fresh air per minute are con-
stantly passing through.
The Queen of England possesses an ele-
giant theatre at Windsor.
The beneficial effects of this truly uni
versal pastime were very visible In Canada
in the stimulus given to the Capital City
of Ottawa and the advance OF the Acad-
envy Of Music there, by the successive
private performances OF Lord Dutferin, the
Marquis OF Lorne and Princess Louise at
1etNcdu ll4lts w ACR9 t1o AAkk1itf III VICE
regal etiquette relaxed into social In
huences in the bright rays Of the foot
lights. The development of an art gallery
in the dingy little capital, to which the
Princess contributed works from her
own pencil. was due to those social in
fuences.
Many of the Roman Catholic Colleges
and Churches have private heatres.
st. Laurence's Church, New York, has
one for which I constructed regular
stage with fly gaIlergy, rigging lott and
footiights. The drep curtain is view OF
Rome from the Appian Way. ST. John =
College eff FoFdham, 81 Francis Xavier 5,
in New York and many Others have pri-
waite theatres.
Such buildings as the Berkeley
Lyceum. constructed on pure commercial
principles, although for the accom- moda-
tion Of amateurs, are scarcely within the
definition OF priv ate theatres.
SIDNEY CHIDLEy.