The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-08
WORK OF RECONSTRUCTION.
The Richmond Theatre 10 bo Thoroughly
0Yerhauled.
ATTRACTIONS WHICH ARE COMING.
There VIII be New Seat. and New Scenery.
Drcssing-Rooms and Other Conve-
niences are Also to be Added.

When autumnal breezes shall play tag on
the cheeks of Richmond theatre-goers. the
playhouse at Seventh and Broad streets will
have been through the days Of reconstruction.
Next week the sound of the hammer and the
swabbing OF the paint brushes will begin in
that house Of Thespius. and when the season
opens with Clevelands Minstrels the latter
part of August the establishment will be
hardly recognized
In the first place the orchestra chairs, with
thelr MeDhstO backs, are 10 be taken out,
anu IN their ead will be plush inventions
comfortable and pretty. These latter affairs
VIII be upholstered IN an excellent manner,
and will add greatly to the beauty Of the
house.
The little alley in front Of the house after
passing IN from the lobby. will De torn down
and several rows of seats will be placed in
lobby.
The floor of the orchestra will be raised
and by 50 doing the auditorium made more
spacious and every one will then have an
equal chance At seeing the stage despite high
of woman.
Model and modern conveniences will be put
about the place for the accommodation Of
both ladies and gentlemen. and if certain
plans will materiallZe cioak-roOm will be one
OF the delights OF the house.
NEW scESLBY.
An all-important and much needed factor
will be added-new scenery. Artists who
know their business will come down from the
metropolis and paint some pretty scenes, and
then 20 home and send some more new
scenery. All Of the present effects
that can be used will receive touch
ing up" at the hands Of the artists,
and effects not at present available
in the Theatre will be added. There is some
talk of electric lighting, but whether this will
be done remains t. be seen. II should be.
for nothing looks more provincial than to see
super" with a torch light the foot lights
after the act when the heroine has Just been
dashed IN shmmering tank of cold. real
water. There is but the smallest possible
chance OF the house being lighted by cleo
tricity.
great improvement For years companies
who have played in the Theatre have been
forced to dispense with their scenery because
the stage was not wide enough. Now this
will be remedied, for when the house is fin
nIshed the stage can be occupied with forty
foot drop" drop" is the scene at the
rear of the stage. often used when the villain
walks to the door and exclaims, All. ha she
is alone in the garden. | will go TO her"
If this improvement of widening is made
there will be no trouble IN accommodating any
scenery, as the stage will then be as wide as
any in the State
NEW DRESSING ROOMS.
New dressing rooms will be an acquisition
appreciated by the players IL can be truth
fully said that the dressing-roOins at the Thea
tire have not been as convenient as they should
have been and now all this is to be changed.
New floors are to be laid, easier access to the
etaDA will be Civan and hot and cold water
will be running all the time.
The galleries will also receive attention. and
paint will reach even the ceiling. so it can be
confidently expected that the Theatre next
season will be perfect bijou Of place.
Among the attractions that have already
been booked are Bernhardt. Rhea. Mr..
Barnes of New York. Margaret Mather,
Julia Marlowe. Joseph Harworth with Catha-
rine Kidder Harworth, who supported McCul-
Tough for a long time and Miss Kidder was
given the refusal of Miss Eastlakes position
by Wilson Barrett.