Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-12

changed so that those who knew 1t be-
fore would not know 1t now. Hence. 1t
practically new. 1t is enlarged and
will be opened on August 81 as a new
play house, equally creditable to Nor
folk and profitable to the proprietor.
In order to make an auditorium wor-
thy OF the city and ample to accommo-
date the best plays and the largest
opera companies which appear in New
York. MIR. Henry Van Wyck must have
expended about $4,000.
The result is gratifying. The thea
ter is beautiful.
Notable physical changes are in the
floor, the procenium boxes. and chiefly
; in the stage. The house has been rails
ed so feet in the rear, so that the grid
iron, on which the scenery is operated,
is 60 feet above the stage floor. That,
with the new rooms added for the
chorus, enables the house to accommo-
date the largest companies which ira
vel. even to 125 persons, and the great
est amount of scenery ever used in n
Norfolk theatre.
The floor is graded to one pitch all
across, so that the orchestra chairs eX-
tend from one side to the other, the old
dress circle having been removed.
There are four procenium boxes on
each side OF the stage. making eight,
where formerly there were only four
These have balconies extending from
the side wall so that the stage-view
from them is perfect. They are fitted
with green and red velours curtains.
and have neat brass ratings. There
nre no other considerable physical
changes but these are sufficient to nl
ter the whole effect of the interior for
the better.
The carpet has not been laid yet be-
cause the worlSmen and artisans were
Still employed yesterday, when re-
porter for the VirginianPilot called.
but IL will be red in color. and heavy
IN texture.
MI. J.. l.. Fentress is the decorator.
He has adopted Il color scheme of rose
pink that is delightful to the eye, and.
under the blaze of electric lights, with
which the house Is filed 1t will be COM
plimcntary to the evening gowns Of the
ladies and not trying to their complex
ions. The seats and the trim of the
interior are mahogany color. so that
the rose-pink, various shades OF pink.
yellow and green. with which the side
walls are painted. harmoni2c agreeably
in the general effect the designer in
tended to produce.
Beginning with the base of rich red,
the colors of the side walls are skilfully
blended and tastefuly. ornamented with
a mosaic effect that is at once novel
and pretty.
Mr.. Fcntress has treated the freize
and five-foot cove very cleverly with
this mosaic effect. Tho design seems to
be founded on the acanthus leaf form,
with an imitation of mosaic pattern.
The ceiling Is paneled with gold
mouldings painted with soft shades of
water colors to harmonic with the
rose pink scheme. touched with gold
leaf for the high lights and decorated
with busts in relief. These busts rep
resent the faces OF dramatists, actors
and musicians. Among them are
Shakespeare. Goldsmith. Beethoven.
al 10, ~,
Mendeissohn There are other faces
and figures. in relief, throughout the
house. all assisting to add TO the deco
ration of the house and touch of SEN
timent to the minds OF those who rec
ognize them.
Thus the theatre is new, commodious
and decorated so as to be agreeable to
the eye. Its seating capacity is 1000
and the folding chairs are of the most
modern and comfortable type.
But the chief feature OF this theatre.
as Of all modern music halls, is the
lighting. Mr.. L. A. Poole the young
electric expert who Is doing some of the
work there. said in answer to a re-
porter for the Virginian-Pilot:
There's light enough here to make
the house brighter than sunlight IL
shey were all turned on"
The chief light is the sunburst collcc-
ton of liz lights In the ceiling. That
L
But there are frosted glass balls dis
fributed throughout the auditorium to
the number OF 100. There are ample
lights on the stage. also. These are
called border lights and they serve the
purpose. also. of intensifyinG the colors
{ of the scene. There are four OF these
border lights in different colors. any
one OF them having collection of
lights as long as the footlights and as
effective In the rear as the latter are
I in front.
The procenium arch has decorative
figure painting which Mr.. Fnntress
called me Lady" It is a rroun o(
three girls. One plays fagoiet. while
the others lie prone in graceful noei-
lions. tntently listening. The figures
are painted In distemher flesh coIors
under blue sky. and thus The nicture
either suggests or acccntuates Tho roso-
pink color scheme OF the side wallis and
! the delicate shades of the ceiling
The lobby and foyer have bcen re-
painted. There are ornamental stool
side walls and ceilings for the entrance
The same light colors are used there
also. as the decorator EMPLOYED ,neide
So that the effect of the decorations he
& gins az one enters and is consummotnd
with delightful sensations of approval
inside.
s-.-s
OCEAN VIEW PAVILION THEA.
TER.
TIA Fnfalla," the novel and son.a-
S E4onel apectacu1ar transformation dan