The Portland daily press., 1898-04-07
THE NEW THEATRE.
Cape Elizabeth Electrics' Late st
amusement Resort.

Description of New Structure Designed by
Col. Wood and To Re Erected at Cape
Cottage.
From time to time in the columns OF
the PRESS, brief references have been
made to the improvements going on at
the terminus of the Cape Electrics in
the vicinity of Cape Cottage. The cafe
has been described, but just now public
attention is directed to the new theatre
undergoing construction and it may be
of interest to know what kind OF an
amusement building will meet the eyes
of the thousands who will gather at this,
one of the prettiest spots along the Cape
shore, Touring the approaching summer
months.
To representative of the PRESS, Col.
Wood, the architect and designer of the
new theatre. kindly accorded an inter-
view, and from Col. WooG the following
was obtained which quite freely describes
most of the features SO that an idea of
the character and appearance of the new
structure can be regularly gathered:
The new building will be 70 feet in
width by 1870 feet i'll depth. and the total
height about 90 feet. On the front of
the building is a large portico 80 by 70
feet; the roof of the portico is supported
by 10 classic columns which are sur
mounted by handsome cornicel and the
roof of said portico is in artistic form
and covered with shingles. The facade
is arranged into panels and these panels
and the spandril in peak of roof are treat
ed with clipped shingles. Just below the
main corn1ce which extends across the
front is a succession of panels alternating
with fancy windows and festooned orna-
mentation.
Broad easy steps approach the portico
from which you enter the lobby of the
theatre to the right and left respectively.
and thence person will proceed to the
balcony and gallery by comfortable
stairs. This portion of the house will be
seated with easy benches. The ticket
Office is in the centre of the lobby on
either side Of which are the entrance
doors to the first floor. Or. either side OF
tho foyer is nice retiring room for Ia
dies and gentlemen, with toilet rooms
adjoining.
On the first floor are six proscenium
boxes, which will command an unusual
ly good view of all parts of the stage
The body of the first floor of the house
will be seated with the latest improved
opera chairs, ample rooms being allowed
in the tiers and in the width of chairs to
ensure the largest amount of comfort to
the patrons.
Q The sounding board extending out
distance of about 30 feet will be hand
somely treated with relief ornamentation
and a tone of colors adopted which will
bring out the best effects.
No pains will be spared to make every
part of the auditorium and its adJuncts
attractive. The stage is large, being 30
feet in; depth by 10 feet in width, with
height of 90 feet to the gridiron, this
enabling an attrac ton to place their pro-
ductiou on the stage as well as in any
metropolitan theatre.
The stage will be fitted up with COM
plete outfit of scenery and stage machin-
ery and the same care has been bestowed
on the comfortgof the artists in theEmatter
of good dressing rooms as characterizes
other theatres in this neighborhood which
have been designed by Col. Wood.
At this time itsis impossible to dwell
at length on the matter of colors as they
have not been finally determined, but
the public may rest assured that the
Capes Elizabeth theatre, in its decorative
features, will be in line with the other
houses built by Mr.. Wood.
The contract for the erection of the
building has been awarded to Chas Han
son, who is pushingfit forward rapidly to
early completion and the theatre will be
ready for opening the latter part OF May
or the first of june.
The seating capacity of the house will
be about 1000, which is nearly equally oi-
yided between the first floor, balcony and
gallery. Q
Ample exits have been provided and
in addition to the regular entrance are
exits on the front and there are four on
the sides of the buildings The building
will be lighted by electric lights and
thoroughly ventilated.
Under the portico in front there has
been arranged a very commodious room
for bicycles.
From the above good idea of the new
building can be gathered and the next
suggestion which would seem to be of
great interest is, who shall have charge
of the conduct of amusements? and into
whose hands will the management de-
volve?
This matter has not yet besn definitely
determined.