The Washington times., 1901-08-25
THE PASSING SHOW.

There viii be many surprised persons
at the Academy of Music when it opens
tomorrow night. They will marvel at the
change that has been wrought within
and without the theatre this summer. 1t
Will be difficult for them to recognize any
old feature about 1t, SO completely has
it been redecorated and renovated The
playhouse has never looked more inviting
and wholesome. Paint, soap, and water
and muscle have been the magicians that
have transformed dinginess into bright
ness and dirtiness into cleanliness. The
marble lobby and stairways are milky
white; the brass ratings and rods SHINE
like mirrors, and the woodwork looks
spick and span with white enamel Not
spot around the theatre has escaped the
hands of the busy cleaners. and dirt and
dust seem to have become unknown
quantities. The interior of the theatre
has been painted a rich, warm color,
while the boxes and proscenium arch
have delicate combination of pink and
lilac that forms charming frame for the
stage.
The ceilings have been made ornate
with floral designs. while a deep dado
encircles the walls. The chairs have been
put in more comfortable condition than
ever and there is not single bad seat
in the house They have been stained
afresh and given rubbing with prepared
oil. The main lobby has been painted a
pure white, that is well set off by the
theatre has been made conspicuously at
tractive IN this manner. and by the ad-
dition also of several banks of ferns,
palms. and Towering plants. A checking
room has been built off the lobby and a
new toilet room for gentlemen construct
ed down stairs. The toilet and retiring
rooms for ladies have been entirely done
over and rendered more inviting than for
merly. Their ventilation has been vastly
improved, too. new grand drapery
border, a dust border. and ''tormentors''
hay #k.
colors harmonize admirably with the
great arch around them.
The front of the Academy has not
missed attention, and presents a most
cleanly appearance: in every respect the
house seems to have been lifted far above
the dead level OF the past Architecture
ally 1t has always been model play
house, without a single seat that docs not
have clear view Of the stage, and what
it has always lacked in other respects has
now been added. The sum total is a beau
tiful theatre that looks as clean as a
Holland housewives kitchen.
1t is several years since Washington
has posed as the scene of a play The las
conspicuous instance was THE Senator"
About the same time Hoyt introduced the
Capital into farce in "A Texas Steer"
Both these plays were record breakers in
point OF enjoyment and endurance They
are both played occasionally TO this day.
been followed by others. From that time
to this the constant pIaygoer got the
geography of his drama from all other
cities save washington. And going be-
hind the date of these successes IL is
impossible to remember many plays in
which the Capital City figured
This ssason, however presents an ex-
ception. Tim Murphy has prepared an
elaborate production of a Washington
play by Washington writer, "A Capitol
Comedy. by Paul Wistach. The come
dian gave the piece trial while on tour
last spring. and its reception was of such
"a character that he has felt justified In
discarding all other material in favor of
the Wilstach play He has surrounded
himself with a carefully prepared produc-
ton representing characteristic Washing
ton scenes and a company selected with
q view to their fitness for the local types
The play has serious plot with an en-
broidery of humor. the serious and the
lighter moods being balanced ia about the
proportion found in dramas like THE
Henrietta" and The Senator
MIR. Murphy and Mr.. Wilstach spent
portion of last week in Washington maxi
ing further notes on local color and sectIr-
ing some of the Capitol furniture discard
ed during the present refuruishing of the
chambers. The season of "A Capitol
Comedy will begin early In September
pic Theatre. st. Louis. after week Of
trial performances en- route from New
York.
The following beautiful tale of how an
unknown actress scaled the heights of
dramatic ambition is well worth the peru
sal of all young women who antici-
pate going on the stage. The story comes
40 -,r-t. rTfrpaa from the ma ., mont Of