The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1899-06-13
OUR OPERA HOUSE.
If Any Thing Is Done Let Us BuiId a
New One.

New One.
Our contemporar in an article in yes
terday's edition regarding the opera
houses in our city, makes suggestion
which THE CHRONICLE cannot conseien-
tiously second.
We do not deny the fact that We are
sadly in need of theater, where the
acoustic properties are good and where
one can sit comfortably throughout
performance without feeling every mo-
ment that he is about to turn somer-
sault and thus furnish amusement for
the entire audience. Neither do we
take issue with Bro. DoutEit regarding
the fact that it is more easy to suggest
than to put in practice that suggestion.
1t is easy enough for a community to
sit and complain as to the state of af-
fairs and how they shall be remedIed,
but to put themselves in Mr.. Vogt's
place and do as they tell him TO do is
another thing.
On the other hand, we believed that
the Objectionable features of the build
ing cause many of the failures to secure
an audience. Unless theater-goers feel
positive just what sort of play they
are about to hear, they will consider
some time before spending 81 to hear
only half of the performance and be un-
comfortable the entire evening.
As far as the proprietor is concerned,
he has done more now than perhaps
any other citizen would haYe done. In
deed, were every other citizen as enter
prising as Mr.. Vogt, what city we
would have. But, in the first place the
building was intended for an armory,
and is good one, but We do not believe
an armory and opera house can ever go
successfully hand in hand. In the first
place, the floor of an opera house should
not be level; in the second, shifting
seats can never be made comfortable.
And we might go on, like the preacher,
until we reach lastly. AS regards the
stage, judging from our own experience
and those of others more competent to
judge, it is all that could be desired,
roomy and we'll supplied with scenes.
The dressing rooms also are con-
Portable, and if receipts would admit of a
janitor being employed who would clean
them up and keep the stage and stairs
leading to these rooms in q respectable
condition, not fault could be found.
The Times Mountaineer-s suggests that
least two entertainments year for the
benefit of the opera house-to improve
the building. While we feel positive,
having heard it discussed, that the
! lone talent would not only give two,
1-tmaay entertainments for the pur-
pose Of securing a good opera house, at
the same tiue-we do not believe they
pedient, 10 cxpt nd money on the build
ing now in use an armory, and it is
claimed that this is the only means by
which any money is made on 1t. Tine
Dalles is not in need of such a large
opera house; a smaller one would be
much better adapted to its use. Would
it not be better plan to leave it as it is
J with the exception of purchasing scenery
etc., from Mr.. Vogt, and let the building
/ be used as an armory, for mass meeting
q and the numberless things for which
such building is required. Then if
: lot could be obtained and a neat, mex
. peneive opera house built, with perhaps
. offices over it or store rooms beneath,
: seems to US it would be a much bette
d plan, more paying one and at the sam
s time more satisfactory.
9 Should Mr.. Vogt care to consider cue
: a plan, we feel assured the home talen
would make some arrangement to assis
in the scheme. either by forming stoc
o company with him or on their ow
hook. just how the plan could b
= formulated might be considered late
should it be thought advisable.