Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-09
NEED NEW THEATRE.
RICHMOND FAR BEHIND OTHER
CITIES OF IT'S SIZE.
PUBLIC ENTITLED TO A GOOD HOUSE.
Actor Crane Says the Playhouse IL
by No Means What Ii should he,
md Point, Out How N Might lie
improved M I ModerDizcd.

No one has been found 20 admit that the
remarks of Mr.. w. II. Crane, The actor
made before the curtain at the Academy
on Thursday night anent the condition OF
that playhouse. were not apt aha o: good
credit.
Had Mr.. Crane cared to do 50, he might
have spoken with far more emphasizes
upon the same theme on Friday, for the
pouring rain found its way through the
leaky roof TO the stage, ana even into
the dresslng-rooms. 1t was not only
source of discomfort to the members OF
MIR. Cranes company, but did not tend
10 improve the scenery. which was, in
deed. slightly damaged by t. And so,
had Mr.. Crane trusted himself 10 speak
OF the theatre again. he would probably
have been very convincing, and certainly
emphatic.
THE THEATRE Is BEASTLY.
Mr.. Crane has been upon the boards
since 1863, and has travelled the country
from shore TO shore. Ills opinion Is
valuable, therefore. and he was BY no
means 10th to express it TO Dispatch
reporter, who saw him in his Oh essing-
room before the matinee. Il think TINS
theatre is beastly," he said, with ohalac-
teristic frankness, "the city Is so Tar
ahead of it in every respect. in the
North, the people pride Themselves upon
their places of public amusement, and the
condition of 1t is generally taSen as an
indication OF the progressive spirit OF he
community"
The Academy, Mr.. Crane says, IS de-
cidedly the worst playhouse that lac has
appeared in for years. 1T is VIGOROUSLY
the worst in this country, and = DywOrd
among the actors who have boon mere
Actors are like other people, they 10 not
want to 10 where they are uncomfortable,
and I'm the Academy they certainly ale not
comfortable. The accommodations are
primitive" says Mr. Crane, "aad the
general conditions unpleasant
NIGHT BE IMPROVED
Speaking of particular defects, MIR.
Crane said that though the house had
never been intended for theatre, the
outside walls were so good that II might
easily be converted into one. III this pro-
nertv were mine" he continued, II should
gut il completely, sink the stage 10 the
level of the street, move the prcsccnium
arch forward. put IN new galleries, ana
new boxes. which would be proper theatre
boxes, and not boxes in fact
ANYTHING short Of these sweeping
changes MIR. Crane thinks would be ut
terly futile. If theatre Is not puil'
here soon, he said. depend upon II north
ern capital will step in and gather the
loayes and fishes.
THE STAGE INADEQUATE.
Mir. Cranes chief objection to the Acad-
emv Ia the stage IL Is incapable OF
mounting the scenery Of large productions
and one OF the prettiest scenes IN "A VIZ
ginia Courtship" was robbed OF very
striking effect. Then, too, the Stage =
deplorably dark. and fine costumes ahu
the details which work for the righteous
ness OF makeup pass unnoticeu' ou'
years ago" said Mr.. Crane. Il told my
company when ! came TO Richmond moi
Ia wear their best costumes. as they
could not be seen, and TINS Is nov
being done by other companies. The re
suit Is. the Richmond play-goer, VINO i
as quick as a New York audience TO ,ap
preciate good acting and stage setting
paws 81 80 to see iirst-class productol
b,it only gets - cents worth Tor nj
money. There Is no reason why play
should not be put on the stage IN Ken
nmond Just as they are IN New YORK.
have an my scenery here and would lik
very much. indeed. to put 1t ON, but can
not do 30 because the stage cannot &C
-rommodate IL.
THE PEOPLE ENTITLED TO III
81 should lust like for McElfatrick, o
New York. who has built theatres al
pver this country, 90 come ana See TN
Mace and show how It might be change
into real theatre. The Richmond peopl
would see plays under better conditions
they would realize that they were gettin
more value for their money; the visitn
companies would reap benefit, as woul
the local manager. in the increased pa
tronage that would be the inevitable re
suit, and visitors to Your beautiful Gle
could no longer point the FINER OF scor
at this dirty. dilapidsted old barn.