Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1893-02-09


striking. Directly over the curtain IN
the prosceDium arch is we'll executed
portrait OF Shakespeare, the patron saint
OF all tFIe actors and the inspiration of
the best that exists in the drama to.
day.
The furnishings of the stage are COM
plete in every detail. Only the manager
and actor himself can appreciate what
this means. There are fifteen set pieces
Of the latest and best scenery,
running on grooves, besides numer-
Gus drop curtains and side pieces.
The rigging loft. in the roof, is dizzy
distance from the stage, reached by lad
ders. The drop curtain, raised by large
drum, requires but two or three revolu-
tions to elevate or lower it.
There are extra lines for hoist
ing special scenery. The scenery
on the first night worked smoothly,
showing how we'll the machinery for this
important dJunct to the proper presen-
tation of play had been constructed.
The stage Is visible from every seat in
the house. The acoustic properties are
pronounced by the opening performers,
as tne as IN any theatre in the country.
This is most valuable result.
Eight large dressing rooms are pro-
vlded for the convenience Of the actors
In many theatres this feature is often
neglected, but the Messrs. Lloyd have
had care to please players as we'll as
the audience. The four dressing rooms
Oft the stage are heated with radiators,
the four underneath by steam pipes. All
the rooms are furnished alike, with mir
rors and dressing stands, and are neatly
carpeted.
The lighting of the stage is perfect.
Electric rehectors are provided, to be
placed in the wings, and the current
attached from circuit that leads
through the floor Of the stage. These
rehectors contain 20 lights each. There
Is reflector to extend across the stage
to throw the light into the scenery above
There are no lights around the prosce-
mum arch to distract the attention, but
the stage is the focus of the lights so
directed from all parts Of the house. as
we'll as by the stage lighting, that the
best possible effect is produced for the
audience The switch board is compli-
Gated affair, and the 'dlmmer," a
mechanical device which dins at once
all the lamps in the house AMI stage. is
among the latest electrical inventions for
theatrical purposes. There are speaking
tnbes running to the orchestra leaders
seat, as we'll as to the operator 10 charge
OF the switch board.
In the entire building there are 45O
electric lights, 60 of which are IN the
large chandelier, in the dome. Rows and
clusters Of lights are Embedded in the
ceiling and around tha sides OF the
theater. Bell shaped fixtures also adorn
the side walls. The lighting OF the On
tire theater ls most brilliant and adds
greatly to the effect of the stage work.
The stage dimensions are SO feet in
width by IS feet IN depth; the distance
from the stage floor to the proscenium
arch, 30 feet. The Ay galleries are wide
and commodious and are connected by a
bridge crossing at the rear of the stage.
To the rigging loft from the stage 1t is 50
feet.
There are appliances for producing
stage thunder, genuine lightning; trap
doors, gOngs, annunciatOre, pulleys and
stage rigging of all sorts. In fact, all the
paraphernalia for the presentation of q
modern play Of any kind, from big gen
eral spectacular performance to q special
play Of any description are provided.
The stage carpets can be rolled up and
hoisted into the stage loft out OF the
way.
The protection against fire is complete
and thorough. In addition to the main
entrance through the lobby, there are
two side exits from the parquette and
one from the balcony. Hose, attached
to water plugs, through which the full
pressure of the mains can be received,
is provided. These standpipes and hose
are under the stage, in the fly galleries,
balconies and parquette. Iron doors pro-
tect the stage dressing rooms from the
flies. As the house is heated through
out with steam, the danger from fire is
consequently very slight, and the house
can be SO quickly emptled that disaster
is almost impossible.
Ventilation is secured in a thorough
manner by openings in the cornices
around the ceiling and in the decorated
cornices in the dome. No apertures are
visible to the observer, but direct and
perfect ventilation is obtained in this
manner In addition, there are two
Sewer pipes are LAID throughout the
building for future use,
The theatre was designed by the we'll
huOWu hTCu4tcCV VI pay AOu6co duu pun
lie buildings, MIR. a. G. Carter of Mime.
apolis. Ground was broken for the
structure in June, but the building not
begun until August, last. The seating
capacity OF the house is 800. and with
extra chairs and standing room taken,
will contain 1000 people.
The house piano, fine instrument,
arrived by express yesterday. The man
ayers intend to assist in the organiza-
ton of competent orchestra for the
house.
A survey of the entire theater, both
from the audiences and the actors stand
point. leaves nothing to be desired. 1t
is beautiful temple, erected for the
use Of music, art and the drama. 1t is
believed that no city of the size of James.
town, in this country, possesses as COM
plete and handsome theater. 1t will
prove great benefit to the town and
is fully indicative of the enterprise and
character of the people Of the state. The
Messrs. Lloyd, to whose enterprise and
lberality the people OF jamestown owe
this splendid theater, are far sighted
men and are confident that the enter
prise, will not only pay as an investment,
but be the means of greatly enhancing