Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-29
THE TURNED ON.
THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC NOW
MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN EVER.

THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC NOW
MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN EVER.
In the presence of Mr.. Van Wyck,
owner of the Academy of Music: Thos.
c.. I4eath. lessee; Manager a. b. Duse-
berry. several contractors, representa-
tives of all of Norfolll's daily papers
and few invited guests, lights were
turned on at the remodeled Academy
of Music last night, and the effect of
the new decorations was exquisite.
The most notable thing about the
interior is the harmony of coloring and
decoration from lobby to the stage.
The new curtain the work of Mr..
Luther +. FentresS, OF Norfolk, rep
resents scene in ancient Greece. about
600 e. G. In the foreground are four
female figures. The scene represents
Sappho. the famous lyric poetess, Tyre
in hand. MIR. Fentress has been very
successful in his work.
One feature that makes the remodeled
house superior to most amusement
places in the South is the electric
lighting. There are in all about 700
electric lights. e. in the lobby. 400 on
the stage and 112 in the dome. The
old prism chandelier in the dome has
been wisely renewed as twas found,
on investigation, to have been weak
ened greatly by age. Many of the
wires were ruSted and the whole was
believed to be unsafe.
A large portion of the light globes
are colored red and green, so that eX-
cellent light effects can be obtained on
the stage to represent sunrise, sunset
or moonlight. This will add much to
the realism of the plays produced. The
electrical installation was done by the
Norfolk Electric Company, and much
credit is due to Mr.. ]. Sherrick, mana
ger, for the splendid results he has
achieved.
The stage has been remodeled by Mr..
Frank H. White, of Norfolk, the we'll
known stage machinist He has done
away with the groves and the sliding
scenery has been replaced by drops.
The old barrel on the curtain has been
cast out and the curtain goes up to
the rigging loft. In his work Mr.
White has used 10000 feet of rope on
the rigging for the scenery, The traps
are three quarter traps, one center
trap, star. vampire and bridge traps.
The scenery was painted by Mr.. w.
s. Boss of the Grand Opera House,
New York.
The draperies and other furnishings
We're supplied by the Umstadter- Myers
Company. The draperies are in two
shades of fine Vienna figured velour.
the overhead draperies being of rich
shades of red. in graceful folds and
cascades. The curtains to the brass
rail are Of the same Vienna figured
velour in Empire Green. The entrance
to the boxes will be draped in rich
portiers woven to match the wall
paper. The material for the draperies
are among the finest goods imported.
and no expense was spared by Mr.. Van
Wyck to make the draperies the finest
that could be had. The carpets are of
fine velvet in a rich shade of red The
vestibule Is covered with inlaid limo
leum to match the decorations.
The new opera chairs were furnished
by the Grand Rapids Furniture Com
pany. of Michigan. The house, with it's
greatly enlarged stage. is now in con-
dition to easily handle any show on
the road.
The general public will have an op-
portunity to judge of the beauties Of
the remodeled house on Friday night,
when it will be opened by Fields Min
StrelS.