The times., 1898-08-14
Local Houses Being Renovated
and Decorated.
MANY CHANGES AT THE BLOT
Two More First Productions for
WashfDgtOn-Hau Caine Comfpp
wizard Hoicomb's "Her Last Re-
hearsnl" Ia Gothnm--our Frfend.
Here and Elsewhere,

Theater has not spent his vacation In
rest or idleness. All during the hot
months he has been planning and work
ing on improvements for his cozy little
playhouse and the beginning of this sea-
son found laGborers so busily engaged in
carrying out his instructions that the
place will present an entirely changed
aspect when It is opened tomorrow. The
building has been completely refurnished
and redecorated. Heavy Brussels carpets
have been put down over every inch of
aisle from the front steps to the first
row Of the dress circle. while new cur
tains have been hung and even the edges
of the boxes reupholstered. Notwish-
standing the fact that seats were put in
the structure only last February. the or
chestra chairs have been changed for
broader and better ones, while the old
time benches in the gallery have given
way to numbered folders of the latest
pattern.
From the lobby up the theater has been
entirely repainted in blue. white and gold
A number OF mural decorations have
also been done by the best local artists
and the walls are being papered with
tasty designs. Heavy rubber pads are
yet TO be placed on the outside steps and
those leading to the circles. while the
carpenter has busted himself inside and
out of the house in putting finishing
touches everywhere and in lifting the
ground floor until every seat commands
an excellent view OF the entertainment.
The stage has been set back sufficiently
far to permit of two rows of chairs and
a place for the orchestra being built
where it formerly stood.
Perhaps the most striking part OF the
new Bijou is its lobby, which has been
entirely done over. and presents a most
pleasing appearance The steel ceiling
has been tastefuIly tinted. the walls COW
cred with fresh paper, and second box
office has been put in. 1his has more
than an ornamental use, its proper con-
troll promising to alleviate the nuisance
of standing in line, which heavy business
made necessary last season. The house
has not yet been painted outside. but
probably VIII be within fortnight.
In the auditorium a great change has
been made by the placing of forty-two
loge boxes, neatly curtained and seated
with upholstered chairs and sofas. They
appear 10 advantage. and give promise
of no end of comfort. An extensive sys-
tenn of electric fans has been provided
for the hot weather, and a new double
furnace adorns the basement for use
when Jack Frost comes again.
Every stick of scenery TO be used this
year will be new. from the last drop,
hung TO the flies and curtain, which rep
resents a landscape near Washington.
Eight new dressing-rooms have been
built, and every provision made for the
comfort of the players, as well as that
of the audience Altogether. the Bijou
is now a model little hOuse-as hand
some a popular priced theater as there
is between New York and Chicago and
Boston and the Gulf. Manager Grieves
has shown himself progressive and
reasonable director, and it is to be hoped
that general appreciation of his enter
prise viii be shown in the patronage dur
ing this coming season.
A handsome picture of Lillian Lawrence
adorns the front page OF last weeks Mir
ror and an excellent biography of Wash
ington's popular actress fills half a COL
umn inside. This article besides speak
ing of her birth in Alexandria and her ex-
perience with ,cle National Theater Stock
Company. Ieci IS some of her triumphs in
Boston and praises highly her clever
work in the many parts in which she has
been seen there. Miss Lawrence is a hard
working and thoroughly intelligent wom-
an whose conscientious effort has deserv-
ed for her all that she has achieved. A
thousand local admirers viii be nightly
glad OF her success.
Harry Allen, who left his position with
the Academy of Music to wend his way
Gothamward, is now ensconed in his new
position, that of business manager of the
Murray Hill Theater. Mr. Allen is a man
and bnnaEfxr rF1a
turn to this city may be in company with
a fortune.
The best number in a recent issue of
the New York Bee, a humorous paper
that is gaining national prominence was
a satirical article by Will Page. of this
city, entitled "a School for Dramatic
Critics." The story was written in a vein
of delightful humor, through which
enough irony showed to add flavor with
out giving offense. Mr.. Page has furn-
ished ample. evidence of his many abili-
ties of late, but none more unanswerable
than is TO be found in the selection
named.
From advance notices of the season il
would seem that during the months of
September and October this city is 10
have more first productions than any
other in the country. The Lafayette con-
tributes Hotel Topsy Turvy'' and THE
Christian" the New National promises
two notable additions shortly, the Acad-
emy is 10 have the premier of "A Sure
Cure and now the Columbia comes out
with the names of two new offerings to
the world of the stage. The first of these
is to be presented by a local man, Tim
Murphy-who has, by the way. seeming
ly abandoned his absurd intention to be
called Wilkes Barre-and will take the
form of Opie Read and Frank PiXley'S
farce, 1.-THE Carpet Bagger." for which
great things have been predicted. The
second production has been kept secret
and has really not yet been fully deter
mined upon. 1t is a comedy. however,
and the large cast to be seen in it will
be under the management of A. III. Pal
mer. No name has been given the play
up to date and the air of mystery MAIN
tanned in connection with 1t adds some in
terest to the presentation.
William Winter Jefferson, who will be
remembered for his labors with last sea-
sons Columbia Stock, has resigned from
his fathers company to accept re-en-
gagement with "a Bachelors Honey
moon," in which he formerly played the
role of Houston. Mr.. Jefferson showed
no great amount of ability while In this
city, but then much is not needed in in
terpreting John Stapleton's farce. and
the young actor will probably do very
well.
Something that should be of interest to
Washingtonians is the remarkable success
of Ferris Comedians in Western towns.
The organization is now playing its nine
rd