Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-24

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.5SE[%~| v
The BJou Theater will be the first to open
its doors for the season of 1928, If Harris
Theater, which has not yet closed at all, be
excepted. The Bijou will surprise its pa
irons. 1t is practically a new theater in ap-
pearance. The painters and decorators have
been busy for many weeks within 1T, and
when the doors are thrown open on August
everything within it will be as bright and
fresh as paint can make it.
The point aimed at in the new scheme OF
decoration OF the Bijou seems to be cheerful
lightness. The entire house, proscenfum
arch, walls and mouldings, have been
decorated in white and gold. In
place of the alarming curfosties in
the shape of horses and the flying
Is now a garland OF flowers in subdued tints
against background of white. and garlands
and panels of gold fill up the tanks OF the
arch. A high dado in warm brown o: lin
crusta walton relieves the monotony Of tho
white walls encircling the parquet. The
backs of the seats in the parquet have been
been vanished afresh, SO that all OF them
look as good as new. A new center clande.
lier depends from the ceiling over the par
quet. 1t is designed to Mr. Gulick's order,
ly have; long branches, with single incan.
descent lights at the end. springing in a
graceful curve from the central bulb. This
is Intended M for electric lights; OF course; u the
with gas in reserve. The greatest improve
ment of all in Mr.. Gulick's opinion is the
lighting OF the house in general. and the
stage in particular. There will be something
like 500 electric lights altogether be ore and
behind the curtain. The footlights are now
arranged on the most improved modern
glass; and sunken subsidiary bench of red
and green lights that can be raised rs de-
sired. The switchboard, from which all the
lights will be governed, costing $2,50 will be
first entrance and the entrance to the star
dressing room. The new border lights are
also OF the latest pattern; They cop-
tain ,, tho customary Gus omar. ny white bite, .;n,: hEhts
that the Bijou stage will be as we'll lit as any
in the country. The stage itsel is also new,
not only rs to flooring. but the joists. etc.,
that tho advent Of the heaviest tragedy can
be awaited calmly by the Buou manage
ment.
Among other minor inpr ovements is tho
repapering Of the walls within the boxes;
the paper is OF ripe pinkish tint and con-
trasts well enough with the white and gold
establishment of the balustrade and pillars.
New carpets of old gold tone will be laid in
the aises. The crimson hangings of the
boxes will be retained. In the balcony cleo
trio lights have been set at short intervals
to supplement- the jeweled bosses. 1t looks
as IT the new Bijou will be far more brilliant
than the old one
The most important acquisition In the
new attractions at the Btou have kept to
the last. This is the new drop curtain
painted by Sosman & Landis Of Chicago.
the painters of the Alvin's pretty drop cur
tain and scenery. The Bijou's new act drop
is picture framed in a deep border of pale
blue and partially draped with curtains OF a
delicate old rose tint The picture is a scene
from Spanish life In the seventeenth
no specific Information on the subject,
q flower fete in Seville. Spanish maidens,
dark of eye and tresses, in bright dresses
floating man tillas, are selling flowers at tho
gate, perhaps, of some monastry, to the
gallants in gay attire who wander that way.
Two of the fairest have halted an elderly
beau in his sedan chair, and are thrustfng
boQuets beneath his nose. The chair-men
are standing in some perplexit while the
fair highwaymen hold up their master. A
rich sun-lit Spanish background, OF which
bower of flowers with a pretty girl en-
shrined therein is a strong point, completes
q charming picture. fhe drapery which
encloses the pictuee is deliciously snbdued In
tone, and harmonizes nicely with the white
and gold decorations of the house. 1t is
worth noting that the effect of greater
height has been obtained by the use Of the
parquet circle under the balcony.
The lobby on Sixth street has shared in the
and with the addition Of many
ncandescent electric lights along the cor
nice it ought to present most attractive
appearance The Penn avenue entrance to
The house has been similarly frightened up.
Behind the curtain the dressing rooms have
been cleaned and repainted, and practically
The whole theater has been given clean
,oat for the coming season.
1t does not seem probable that much will
,e done at the other houses in the way of
mpro vements in fact little is needed be.
yond the regular summer cleaning. The
Alvin, the Duouesne and Grand Opera
House are all shut up tight and it is doubt |
ul If any of them open before the first week
n September. Harry Williams Academy |
will not open till late next month, and the |
museums are going to follow the same |
course, which is wise.
First-class theaters are finding it no easy |
hing to get good attractions in the months |
# September and October. Managers of good |
are fearful of the torchlfght |
procession and other political competitors for |
he public's attention. and as far as they can |
re delaying the start for the season. The
onsequence is that the few companies that
will go out before November's elections are
n a position to command good terms.
hink the effect OF politics upon theater at
enhance is overestimated, and good plays |
nd good actors will draw well here in Oc-
ided that the weather is cool and conge-
ial.
The first attraction at the Buou Theater.
pening the season on August 4, will be
Minstrels. Half q week of
linstrelsy is just about as much
5 Pittsburg wants nowadays and
Gulick wisely begins the engage
,ent on Thursday. For Dockstaders' it is
romis ed that they are the best orgnniza-
lon OF minstrels tn at have gone out under
hat name. Besides the inimitable Low
nd comedian, Frank Dumont, Fake and
emons, Blocksom and Burns. George
overs, William Rowe, and others. The
mong others q sketch in which Lew Dock.
tader takes of Ward McAlliter, it is said,
18th funny fidelity to the great original. On
ne Monday following, that Is August 9,
lillian Kennedy will produce "She Couldn't
larry Three" at the Buou.
Harris, Britton & Dean promise their
arrons a strong attraction this week, and
ne that made the late Lester Wallack and
awrence Barrett famous. It is "Rosedale,
r the Rifle Ball." a melo drama in five acts.
abounds with thrilling situations. and has
fine representation Of a gypsy camp, and
rand ball room scene. Special scenery is
romised. George A. D.Johnston,a a polished |
nd forceful actor, will assume the leading
ale part. The cast is as follows: Elliott
ray, Ed Young; Niles M'Kennd, George A.
. Johnston; Mathew Leigh, Ed w. Morrison;
unbe,7y Rob6, Frank X. Wallace; Colonel
avendixh May, stuart Anderson; Corporal
un, L. R. Wolf; Dockseu.C. E. Ward: Ro,nany
ob, Howard Veazey: Farmer Green, H. N.
lair: Bob, Harry Mitchell; Rosa Leigh,
annie Egberts: Lady Florence May, Georgia
evard; Tdbitha Stork, Rose Travers; Prinr-
'se, Fannie Ward: .hodter Ma, Carrie Dewall.
nd Susan, Lottie John.
whispers From the Wings.