The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-04

lights and l35 footlights Thomas 81. Hxrrine.
ton, theatrical stage architect, whs has super
vised the building of the stage, is q thorough
artist and has built a number OF the largest
theaters in this country, notably the Broadway
theater in Denver, and he gives 1t as his opinion
that from theatrical point of view this il one
OF the best appointed stages in the world.
Thomas Moses. OF Sosman & Landas, Chicago,
has painted the scenery. He has been engaged
in the work nearly six months. and the scenery
- 1t stands today figures up nearly $1,000
There are thirty complete sets, all Of the latest
designs, each piece being thirty feet in height
and built on the most improved plan. In the
lot are interiors; exteriors, gardens, landscapes,
palaces, rustic scenes, borders, Getting pieces,
rooms and other aets OF various kinds, making
the stock equal to the requirements Of any COM
pany. The wings are arranged with iippers
which keep the audience from seeing any of
the rough work behind the scenes, and are
worked by counter weights which insure &C
curacy and promptness in setting scenes, and
which require less men to handle than the old
style.
The drop curtain 10 beautiful work OF art
1t represents . pleasure party returning from
the Carnival Of Lanterns at Venice. In the fore
ground is gondola gliding through the blue
water, propelled by boatman, a gatly dressed
party of women and children sitting in the bow,
the mast, rendered useless by a calm, hangs
over the bow garlanded with flowers and the
poies, sluudIly duOIueup bt6uu UprIent IN 1IOnb
OF the gondolier. In the distance il the city of
Venice, the spire of st. Marks towering over
the other buildings Above this Is painting
of Cupid enthroned and attended by his boy
servitors. The picture 10 framed in by tasselled
draperies caught up In festoons, and the whole
harmonizes in coloring with the decorations of
the house. The drop curtain will be lowered
and raised by an ingenious CONTINUANCE of end
less rope, which will do away with even the pos
sibility of hitch in either raising or lowering.
The electrical apparatus has been all put in
upon plan conceived by E. Bachelet who has
entirely supervised the work, the current being
supplied by direct wire from the Union Electric
Company. For the size of the house the ar
rangements are the most complete that can be
found in any theater in America. There is not
a light of the l,6GO in the house which cannot
be conveniently reached in case Of necessity.
In addition to this each lamp has in it two
safety fuses, which, in case of accident, would
nullify the possibility of fire resulting from the
grounding of the wires. The lights throughout
the whole house are manipulated by means OF a
switchboard with sixty switches. This board is
broken up into five main switches, has two
ground detectors, by which defective circuit
may be Immediately discovered. one pilot lamp
which will show to the switchman how the
lights are burning in different parts of the
house, so he need not leave the board:
eight DINNERS, by which the lights may
and various other devices all designed for quick
and effective work in the line OF lighing. The
entire system has in use over 40 600 feet OF wire
and cost about $4,000 The footlights sre neatly
contrived so that there are White, green and red
lights alternating, and by the regulation of the
switchboard either or all of these varying
colors may be turned on for the stage effect In
the front of the balcony there are nine bulls
eye lights inclosed in decorations OF flowers,
covered by globes containing three lamps of
sixteen-candle power each. On the sounding
board alone there are over 500 lights, and the
lighting of the house alone is one of the cleo
trical triumphs of the Pacific coast when gas
10 needed 1t can be ignited by friction.
There is the most complete and thorough pro-
lection against fire. On each side of the stage
there is o connection to which hose is attached
in three different places, and the same may be
said of the rear of the stage. This added to the
fact that the curtain is constructed of asbestos
makes the protection against fire az complete
possible Every ten feet square of the stage
room Is covered by an automatic sprinkler. The
main auditorium is supplied with eight hose
reels and twelve chemical fire exiting uishers.
Several emergency exits are provided for use
in case OF fire. but every possible precaution has
been taken against the occurrence Of such an
emergency. The proscenium arch is q continu-
Gus wall running on through tho roof; the
steam for heating purposes which is supplied
by the Steam Heat and Power Company, and
the electricity, are both taken from outside
sources, so that there will be no fire or machin.
cry plants in the building.
The carpets and draperies harmonize In color
and design with the adopted tone of the house.
The aisles and foyer are covered with Brussels
Garnet, the boxes are draped with plush AMI the