New-York tribune., 1901-09-08
THE NEW W4NH4TT4N THEATRE
HOW THE HOUSE HAS BEEN MADE MORE
Beautiful. CONVENIENT AND SAFE

BEAUTIFUL, CONVENIENT AND SAFE
The transformation which has been wrought In
the Manhattan Theatre TO prepare It for the occu-
pancy OF Mrs. Fiskc and its purpose a a pro-
ducing theatre viii surprise every person familiar
with that playhouse and delight all friends OF the
actress whose metropolitan home it will hereafter
be. The narrow and high aspect Of the audito-
rum formerly made prominent by a mixture Of
various styles of architecture and q decorative
cherue In yellow, red and gilt has been entirely
changed. The prevailing tone is green relieved
with old gold. The walls covered with rich
figured velour, with a graceful relief ornamental
tion tapering up from the cornices to the ceiling
Around the upper part Of the auditorium is a
nice with a heavy bracket supporting the sound
Ing board. Additional columns have been placed
In the first boxes, which now have mrrored
backs. All the columns. balcony fronts wanscot-
ing etc. are treated in effect OF bronze.
The draperies which take the place of doors
vi erever possible. Of silk velour, with cords
and tassels giving the boxes and passagcways a
rich and attractive appearance. The asbestos cur
tain of the most recent style. with fine brass wire
woven through II. and made exceptionally strong
the addition OF heavy wire and iron bands. Is
decorated with a mask Of the drama and hung in
the approved manner TO operate with the
greatest facility The drop curtain is of velour
deep wine colored. with rich folds and fringe
and heavy drapery gathered with cords ana
tssses The proscenium frame Is of old gold
with bright gold ornaments. On the sounding
board above the proscenum arch is painting by
Frank E Gates Other pictures descriptive Of
the drama ornament the spandrels over the upper
tier of boxes These pictures Illuminated by
special lights concealed behind the edge of the
sounding board. The whole lighting scheme is in
artistic relation the decorative theory II is
managed as to distribute light without the glare
usual In theatres. The balcony and gallery fronts
have lights growing out Of their decoration. the
individual lights presenting the appearance of
flowers with delicate pink and green petals Torch
standards on newels light the rear OF the audito-
has 1itybF
of the balcony Gas can be substituted in case of
the failure of electricity.
The entrance emphasizes the changes made in
the appearance of the house. Double storm doors
OF ouartered oak and plate glass lead into the box
office lobby. which has rich and warm treat
ment consisting of antique oak wainscot deep
red panels bronze doors and cornice. the cornce
being supported by various dramatic 9Iai I'm masks
its panels being hlled in with oPalescent glass
tric lamps concealed in the spaces above. The
lobby and stairway have peen treated with
green bronze and red effect interiacing the green
of the auditorium with the red of the exterior
frieze There Is bronze pa1eHed peiL ceiling, over
trait of Mrs. Fiske painted by Jongers. The
%Fee raen carpet even the outer lobby and carpet
will extend out over the pavement 10 the curb.
The The walls Of the stairways and auxiliary spaces
will be adorned with Pe5Gres which VIII add TO
The region behind the stage has undergone rela-
sctors' dressing rooms have been completely over
ha,J,ad and made attractive. All surplus
woodwork has been removed, being replaced by
iron wherever possible, everything hreproofed, and
makeup tables. mirrors, wig shelves and all con-
Veniences installed.
Fire protection has been looked after by the
substitution of the modern asbestos curtain for
the old slow working iron curtain; by replacing
wooden stafrways with iron. by doubling the fire.
prcof doors in the proscenium nall, by replacing
wooden partitions with hrebrick, by the addition
OF two gallery exits. by system OF standpipe and
hose bV an extensive system of watch clocks and
detActors and by u rigid method of inspection and
constant supervision