Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-13
TO BUILD A THEATRE
MIR. EDWARD II. ELLEN PROPOSES
TO ERECT ONE HERE.
new LOOKING OUT FOR A SITE.
His Idea IL To Put Up building
to Cost About S15O,0O0, and to Run
II I'm First-Ciass StyIe-Several Lots
offered Him.
offered Him.

Mr.. Edward H. Allen, Of Washington,
an experienced theatrical manager, ana
the proprietor until recently of the Grand
Opera-House in the national capital j
in the city looking around with we"
to erecting and operating here hrst-
class, up-to-date theatre.
Mr.. Allen Is stopping at the Jefferson,
where he was Feen last night by Dis
patch man. lie is an exceedingly enter
tanning man and seems to be well up in
things theatrical. He is very much i'm
pressed with Richmond and says that he
purposes giving the people OF this CITY, II
he can perfect his arrangements. an
amusement-house that will compare
favorably with any in New York.
Mr.. Allen has already seen a number
Of this city's most progressive real estate
agents, and has looked at a great many
sites. which would prove suitable for
such house as he proposes TO erect. He
has not decided upon his project yet, ex-
planning TO the reporter that he did not
care TO be too preciptate. He has had
pieces Of property offered him at reason
able prices, and has his eye on one or
two others which he considers desirable.
IL is his purpose, ne says, to purchase a
lot within the next few days, if he can
make his arrangements, and TO start at
once TO erect a theatre thereon.
A GEM OF a HOUSE.
Mr.. Allen is an old actor having been
at one time member of the Boston
Theatre Stock Company. and he has been
connected with theatres either on the
In
number of years. He i9. therefore, well
versed in what will best suit the theatre
going public and his ideas are TO give
the Richmond people gem of house.
He told the Dispatch man that he was
prepared TO erect a 100000 playhouse in
this city, and all he wanted was a suit
able site. and an assurance on the part
of the people that they would respond
to his efforts to give them high-class at
fractions. His idea is to put up house
here somewhat like the Lafayette Square
Opera House in Washington, but to have
il on even a grander scale than that.
In other words" said he, 81 purpose
putting up a house in keeping with this
place" referring to the Jefferson.
"Of course" he continued, Il am not
prepared now to walk up and plank down
$4,000 and say give me $4,000 worth OF
theatre. l am, though, prepared to erect
a theatre to cost that much, and l VIII
have ample funds to pay for II, ana 10
run il properly"
WILL HAVE A STOCK COMPANY.
"Win you do this without assistance, or
will you organize a stock company que
Tied the reporter.
"Oh. the house will be owned by a stock
company. of course" was the prompt re-
ply. but that matter is all right
How about your bookingsT was the
next interrogatory Of the reporter.
II will have only the very best Of at
| fractions. and / am in a position to get
! them. No man can run a theatre unless
he has friends among the New York the
atrical agents, but have no fears in that
direction. All 1 ask is that patronage be
accorded me- and / will have the shows,
and the very best Of them, too"
"What prices will you charger was
asked him.
"Oh. from $50 down to % cents. Will
have a large house TO accommodate ABOUT
$40 people. / intend having it built
SQUARE If the site will permit, and Will
have no orchestra circle
HAVE PLENTY OF BOXES.
every seat on the orchestra floor Will
he Immediately in front Of the stage, ana
| there will be six boxes on each floor. MY
! idea IS to have a meZzannine hoor ABOVE
| the orchestra, then a family circle, ana
| above that a gallery.
"Of course. my plans are not at all ma
| tured. but if find a suitable SITE and the
prospects do not darken in the next week,
| I will 20 to work with view TO opening
my house in September next. In the event
| that I decide to build. I will begin book
| ing attractions at once