The morning call., 1892-11-15
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west of the Rockies than the new one OF
which Oakland is so proud, and its brilliant
setting well became the assemblage last
night OF the wealth. culture, youth and
beauty Of the city of OAKS.
The Macdonough building is one of the
hnest OF the many substantial business
blocks now going up across the bay. 1t is
built OF brick, sandstone, terra Gotta and
marble, and is probably the most substan-
ual building in the city. The theater en-
trance is on Fourteenth street. an ample
aud magnificent portal twenty-five feet
wide and gained by an ascent Of three mar
Die steps from the sidewalk. The outer
lobby forms a fitting introduction to the
beauties beyond, with its tiled floor, marble
wainscotiDg and arched frescoed way, set
with ineandescent lights sparkling like dia-
monds. AT the right stairway leads up TO
the gallery, and beautifully carved doors
open from the lobby into the inner ante
room. Above these doors is marvellous
arch or stained glass, for beauty uneQualed
on this coast. and the anteroom itself ls
strkingly handsome. Here Is the box
Office, and on beyond the foyer OF this ex-
Guisite playhouse, noble apartment, 14x70
feet, ana perhaps the handsomest foyer in
any thester In the United States. II is fin
ished In handsomely carved oak and lin
erusta Walton. the walls covered with large
French plate mirrors, the richly carpeted
floor and the potted palms that are every
where arranged enhancing the beautiful
effect OF the whole.
The auditorium is done in ivory and gold,
and from the Ligh arched ceiling swings a
wonderful chandelier. sparkling with the
brilliant CLEANS OF hundreds of incan-
descent lights. The stage is at the back of
| a great arched alcove. with four private
boxes on either side, furnished with CON-
Portable upholstered easy-chars. draped
| with rich curtains and lighted by small cleo
| trio chandeliers. There are two ladies'
dressin grooms. l8x36 feet. elegantly ap-
| pointed.
The Macdonough Theater has the only
| mezzanlne stage west Of the Rocky Noun
tains. The opening before the audience is
| 81 feet high by 80 feet inches wide, depth
| A feet from the curtain line to the rear
| wall, and its width from wall 10 wall 20
feet. From the floor of the stage TO the
| gridlroD is 81 feet. IL is supplied with three
working bridges, the entire width Of the
| opening. and has all the star and vampire
trans. The drop-curtain is of asbestos, en-
tirely freproof, and was painted by w. T.
porter Of .I San francisco, the scene repre-
| drop was painted by Julian o. Davidson,
the famous American marine artist OF New
| York, and is of historic as well as artistic
| interest and value. 1t is q grand piece Of
| work. representing the conflict in the war
| OF 1872 between the frigates Constitution
| and Guerrero. 1t cost $500.
The seats of the new theater are what are
| known as the McVicker chairs, elegant in
] design, comfortable, rOomy ana handsome
~ iu Olu-kOlu MOI Only
| the chairs in the paTQuet, but those in the
| balcony as well, are upbolstered-a new
| departure on this coast The orchestra, If
| last night is sample of what is to be ex-
| pected at Macdonough's. comprises a high
| order Of talent. 1t consists of q corps OF
| fifteen musicians under the leadership of
| j. E. J0sephs Of the Hermann Brandt
| quartet
| Manager Mothersole, who has arranged
| for frst-class entertainment throughout the
| season. made wise choice in selecting the
Duff Opera Company to open bis new opera
| house, and the combination scored one Of
| It's greatest successes last night In "Caval-
| leria Rusticsna," Mascagni's beautiful pro-
| duction, with its magnificent choruses
| Gilbert d Sullivan's delightful farce, "Cox
and Box" was given as curtain-raiser.
| The Duff Company will appear every
| night this week with Wednesday matinee
| On Monday evening next Salvini will begin
| Tour nights and matinee engagement
| and the following Monday night Oakland
| ers Will have an opportunity, without
| travelling across the bay twice. to see JUL
cite Marlowe. who also plays four-pight
| engagement.
A first-elass theater In Oakland is an
experiment, but one in the result of which
sundry public-spirited citizens have had
| sufficient confidence to raise a bonus of
| $4,000 TO secure the new building, and
George +. Mothersole, the lessee and m an
ager, Is the man TO make the new enter
prise g success il he has anything like the
encouragement he haI q right to expect
from the people.