The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-10-02
MANAGER MARX OF $. +. TALKS
on THE IRWIN GRAND.
Many Excellent Features of the Re-
built Theater - Seating-Roomy-
Light-Stage--A Modern.

Mr.. Melville Marx, manager of the
Columbia Theater of San Francisco,
has been shown through the new Ir-
win Grand opera house. He examined
every detail of the arrangement, and
expresses the following general IDEAS
of the house:
IL was struck first with the seating
arrangement. The large seats are not
only wider apart than in other the
aters, but there is greater space be-
tween the rows, atfording ample
room. 1t is clear that the house, in
this particular, will be more comfort
able than any in America, not except
ING the Madison Square theater in>~~
New York. The next point is the gall
lery arrangement. Its center hangs
over the center of the dress circle and
does not approach the pit. This makes
every seat a perfect one for the view.
THE ventilation af the house T fntfsn
to be perfect. There are n number of
windows in the side walls to admit
fresh air, and a perfect arrangement
in the top to carry off the heated ain
from the auditorium. Thus a delight
full current will be constantly kept up.
"The colors of the decorations have
been judiciousIy selected. There is
too much of a tendency in large cities
to gaudiness. This is objectionable,
because it not only detracts from the
force of performance, but wearies the
eye. The colors here will lean to the
gray and cream order. These are dis
tinctively modern and are considered
by experts to be the best colors
The aisles and floor arrangement is
modern. Two large boxes appear in
the center and will he the most com
Portable in the house. There are no
steps in the aislcs, which is a great
improvement. The pitch is the same
as in the Columbia. Platforms be-
meath the chairs is the approved plan
adopted here.
THE stage is without doubt as fine
and complete as can be found in any
large American city. 1t is thorough
ly equipped, not only with all the
scenery required by any travelling
combination, but also furnished with
modern appliances, portable plat
forms, runs, bridges. etc The light
ing is very elaborate; the number of
border lights would be a credit to n
Paris opera house. The switchboard
that will he used to regulate the in
Vulnerable circuits is without doubt
the handsomest | have ever seen. A
novice can work it with very little
instruction. This magnificent system
of lighting will serve to enhance the
completeness of any attraction that
may be put on in the house. The
stage is commodious and will admit
the most elaborate plays put on in
America.
81 was astonished to see how every
little detail had been considered in
the arrangement of this theater. A
thing that will specially endear the
house to travelling combinations is the
dressing rooms. Though beneath the
stage,their size and light and airy CON
dtons will do much toward tighten
ing the hearts of the weary thespians,
who, only too often, are given n little
two-by-four room located way up in
the flies. to reach which they are Of
ten compelled to climb not too
steady ladder. Steps are sometimes a
luxury.
Taken all in all the people of Ho-
nolulu should congratulate themselves
upon the acquisition of so modern and
well-equipped play house; and there
is no doubt in my mind but that man
ayers in the states will consider Ho-
nolulu great deal more often than
heretofore, when booking their west
ern tourS"