New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-09
THE ARCHITECTS THEORY.
ALL SORTS OF QUEER PLANS FOR A THEA
TIRE AND HOW THEY ARE BOUND
TO BRING PROSPERITY.

The builders OF paper theatres have been holding
a perfect carnival Within the last two weeks an
nouncements have been made OF no less than four
theatres soon to be bull, In New-York The latest
and most entertaining OF the lot was one that was
made yesterday Of q house TO be built for Nat G.
Goodwin place not mentioned The announcement
came from the architect. and It was full OF the
word theory. The architect had his own theory
for every point Of thea rical construction. and he
showed just how he going 10 build this thea
ire into an inevitable success. Nat Goodwin him
self. 1t appears. was consulted about II year ago
and has not been heard from since though the
architect says that II he has changed his mind
about 1t the theatre vii lie built just the same
The architect has theory that people come 10
the theatre good deal to another and 10
be seen rather than 10 the play. According
~. he arranges Tor the convenient exhibition Of
the animals by means % lobby. with galleries,
corresponding the galleries and floor Of the house
All the people in any tier can show themselves In
their own gallery. and gaze at the collections
in the OF her galleries
The architect has theory that the boxes should
not ne part OF the proscenium arch. and so in
his theatre they will not be- II may be remarked
that this plan is already carried out in numerous
theatres In This city. lie also places his boxes 90
that the occupants OF them may have fair view
OF the stage. while the rest OF the audience has an
excellent view of the occupants Of the boxes He
declares frankly that he believes that people sit In
boxes that they may nc seen. Several theatres
already fulfil ths condition 10 the extent % af
fording bad a view OF the stage as the architect
could possibly desire
The architect has theory that on stage con-
struc,cd in The usual manner scenes that should
be small, such hall bedroom. have 10 no set
the full width OF the stage. Accordingly ne means
10 have a double prosccnum arch--a smaller arch.
movable behind the regular one. SO that 1T can be
set and make the stage appear small when a small
scene is wanted. Tho puzzle OF 1t Is mat ne says
both portions TO be bull, OF marble. the porta-
bic as well az the stationary one. How ne Is 10
move his marble wall he does not explain as yet
Perhaps that is one OF The plans OF MI Gooa" an
vulge. II may be remarked once more tha' une
double proscenium arch IL nothing new IT was
long In use at Her Majesty's Theatre Haymarket
never extensively initiated and the movable arch
not built OF marble.
The architect has a theory that people 90 not
like TO sit under balcony. and that II he makes
a theatre with seats under the balcony he can
sell what Few seats he does have at higher prices
Why he could not Just as well sell ne seats tnat
the ones that are under someihing ior sma,ieI
prices. does not appear. II may he remarked ,hat
market Theatre. London. has none o. II orchestra
stalls under tho balcony. and the metropolitan
Opera House Was that way before II was burned
1t rebuilt Ike other theatres IN TINS respsct
and this has been found more satisfactory. The
fact is. as manager who knows his business saiJ
last night. II you have a good play people WI
not have a good play they will not pay 10 SIT any
where. But II must be remembered that the pay
Is TO have nothing 10 do with the audience in TINS
theatre. The people are coming TO see one an
The architect also says that the angle 0: re-
ne,ton o. gas IL considerably greater than that OF
electricity'' and anybody who knows what that
means is liberty TO make what he can OF 1t.
In short ne evidently believe. that the success
II he believes that. perhaps IN. best thing that he
can do Is 10 try 1t.