Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-03

pile, and the draperies will be the hand
soonest that It has been possible to secure.
These furnishings alone have cost in the
neighborhood Of $1,000 while over $4,000
has been spent on the general improve
ments. The main entrance has been
changed 20 the north side Of the build
ing, and the tcket-Ofiice now stands in
The place formerly occupied by the CEN
ire doors. This arrangement has been
carried out 10 facilitate the handling oil
large crowds, FOR the tide will now set
in from tho entrance and roll down the
whole length of the lobby past the box
Office 90 the ticket-taker's stand, which
Will be in the same place as formerly.
The entrance TO the dress circle Will be
the same as TO the main auditorium,
ana thence by two large staircases placed
inside the theatre. The gallery entrance
will be on the south side of the building,
completely cut of from The lobby
BETWEEN THE ACT PROMENADE.
The vesdbule on the dress circle floor
Is 10 be used as a promenade between the
acts. Ii IS being furnished with lounges
and chairs, and VIII always be decorated
with palms and flowers. Manager Leath'
ONCE Will be on this floor. large, airy
room handsomely furnished. secure from
the approach 90 the ubiquitous dead
head. There will be fourteen private.
boxes-threc on each side Of the stage
and two on each side of the two galleries
The Illustration goes to show that they
will not be boxes IN name only, but viii
afford a splendid view OF the stage. ana
VIII be sumptuously decorated and fur
uished. The stage has been vastly inn
proved. IL has been lowered ten inches,
but all the galleries and sirders have
been pulled out, and the roof mas been
raised twenty feet thus giving ample
scope for the handling of the largest
scenic productions 300 the world. The ac-
commodati0ns for the actors will be ex-
cellent. a complete set OF new scenery
has been painted by Sosman q Iande7
Of Chicago. and this, together with
handsome new curtain aud act drop has
already arrived. The proscenlum arch
has disappeared. and i'm its place reiEns
a sounding board which will tend 20
greatly improved the acorulstcs OF the
building
THE CAPACITY INCREASED.
While the capacity Of the lowest floor
IS somewhat decreased by the alterations,
the total capacity OF the house is in
creased slightly. owing 10 the extension
Of the top gallery. which, boy the by. viii
be divided into two parts-one for white
people, the other for oolOred.
one OF the most marked improvements
will be the lighting OF the house. Form
srly 20 electric lights were used. but
under the new arrangement no less than
200 lamps will be used in the illumination.
The stage will be equipped with electric
l'sht and colOred lamps making IL posi-
Die 10 produce there every effect known
10 stage management Of the present day
Manager Leath said yesterday that the
>ame policy would be pursued IN the
management Of the house. Attractions
VIII play here al the same prices which
prevail In every ether city in the United
stoies. His bookings for the season he
tmnks, are stronger than they have ever
been IN past years.
me improvements at the Academy
nave been carried out from plans pre-
pared by Messrs. Mclsifatrick a Sons. OF
Ne~ YORK, who have built over seventy
f,ayhouses In this country. including some
'he principal theatres in New
a0'h. The general contractor was Mr.
O. :, morn OF New York, ana the sub
.,oh "rs 4. Savage. of Richmond.
s..nwoIhi j. kettler. Of New York. dee
'rauons; Tower & Binford OF Richmond