Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-28
ACADEMY MADE NEW
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS WILL
COST 100000.
CONVERT 1T INTO A MODERN HOUSE.
The stage VIII He Almost Rebuilt
and VIII He Large Enough to
Handle rho biggest Production
other Improvemcnts-Bijc Bill.

Handle the biggest Production
other Improvemcnts-Bij Bill.
4 It IL now quite certain that Ricnmohu
| will not have a new theatre next season.
! but there seems little reason to DOUBT
that extensive improvements VIII be
made to the Academy OF Music, when
viii convert that building into a modern
playhouse. The work of cutting the
Academy. rebuilding the stage, extending
the top gallery the length Of the house.
and handsomely fitting up the building
making it complete In all its appoint
nents will cost in the neighborhood or
| $4,000.
The stockholders OF the Academy VIII
meet next Saturday, when 1t Is thoush'
that they will UNANIMOUSLY agree TO eX-
pend the sum named on the BUILDING III
which event Mr.. Leath will sign new
| contract, leasing the house for I'VE years
at a rental of 5000 per annum. This VIII
he an increase Of 5000 over his present
rent. but Manager Leath willingly con-
scented to pay it, providing the house was
remodelled according TO plans which nave
been prepared.
OF course, If this sum Is spent on the
Academy 1t will preclude the idea or an
other playhouse being built in Rich
mond for some years TO come. The
changes to be made in the building will
make 1t TO all appearances new thea
tire. The stage will be almost entirely
rebuilt. The floor will be lowered, and the
structure in the rear of the proscenium
will be increased in height by 10 feet.
This will afford stage accommodations
that will admit of the heaviest scenic
productions being handled with ease.
Squire Graves and his efficient stage
force have been complmented time ana
again for their work by the managers OF
the best companies that have played here
and with room afforded them in which To
handle the scenery they will no doubt
all be happy. Dressing-rooms Will only
be built on one side of the stage, where
they will be arranged in three tiers At
present dressing-rooms are on both sides
of the stage. which necessarily limits the
working space.
Another important change in the build
ing will be the extension Of the top gall
lery. This will increase the capacity of
the house considerably. a portion of this
gallery will be divided off for the accom-
mediation Of colored people. 1t is proposed
TO have twelve boxes, two on each side
for each floor. Another floor, with the
proper fall" will be placed in the or
chestra, and the "circle" will be done
away with. OF course, none of the old
chairs will be used on this floor, but hand
some and comfortable ones substituted
for them.
The lobby will be entirely changed. The
main entrance will be at the northern (or
Broad-streeD end of the building, and the
box office which in its present location
would. of course, interfere with this. will |
occupy q position in the centre, with |
ticket windows at each side. This ar |
separates the quarter rush"
from those who mold seats or are pur-
chasing them for the orchestra or bal |
cony dress circle. Manager Leath's Of !
flee will be on the second floor 1t is also |
proposed to have a smolng-room under |
the lobby in the basement of the build |
ing. The house will be lighted with in
candescent lamps. and the electrical APP |
paratus OF the stage will be such as TO !
admit Of the proper effects, which at |
present are impossible. The stage will be
provided with an entire new lot OF
scenery, to be painted at well-known
studio. All of the fixtures will be of the
most improved and latest patent, and the
house will be complete in its appoint
ments. In short $4,000 will make Of the
Academy a playhouse of which theatre
goers need not be ashamed.
This work will probably not be com
peted in time TO open the house at the
beginning Of the regular season. but the
public will lose little on
that account, as the carrier attractions
that have been playing here. as a rule,
are by no means of the best. ~ few
weeks more or less will make little diff
ference. and Manager Leath will no
doubt. make the best. use of the Audi
torium during that time, as this building
Portable. even after the leaves begin to
fall. If he books a minstrel or so at the
Auditorium, the public need not be sur
prised. Then there Is the Main-Street
Park and the Bijou, both of which can
look after the cravings of theatre-going,
people until the Acad-
envy opens its doors, and invites its pa
irons to the "house-warming.
Inc management OF the Bl1Ou claim !
that this weeks bill will be as strong as
that of last, and that the seven acts on
1t are all up to the top mark. The head
liners are Garfield and Carlton, comedy
sketch artists, who will be seen and
heard in a little laugh-provoking affair
arranged especially for them. Both per-
formers are said to possess good voices,
which they use to advantage in their act.
Smith and Cook are acrobatic come
dams, who work under names that are
more frequently found in the directory.
than are those of the majority OF people
in their line of business. This does not,
however prevent them from doing an act
that is above the average.
George Beban is a singing and talking
C Imedian, who keeps posted on the topics
Of the day, and does a monologue that
is of this years yintage--so II is said.
Dean and Jose will present a sketch,
which is a satire on societys -Four Hun
bred.
Solaret, down on the bills as the queen
Of Light" will dance in the vari-coOred
rays of arc-lamps. Mr.. j. j. Clarke man
ages the electrical effects for the dancer, |
and they are said TO be as beautiful as
they are mystfying.
The Cartons will present their act, 1.-The
Texas Girl and the Circus Man" A fea-
ture Of this act is the "two-high song and
dance"
Tom and Patsy Barrett. singing and
sancing comedians. close the list.