The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-15
THE NEW IMPERIAL THEATRE
IS A MAGNIFICENT PLAYHOUSE,

Wendelschaefers new Imperial theatre,
N Cathedral square, are first thrown open
b the public. on Monday evening, Sept.
4 his patrons will have an opportunity TO
Idmire a notable addition to the play
houses In New England.
In its construction. the purpose has been
10 cobine happily not only all the re-
Guisites of elegance. artistic beauty, COIN
Iort and convenience. architectural grace
md safety. but all the latest and most
approved ideas In theatre construction.
ZONE of which are original with Colonel
Wendelschafer himself and are certain 10
appeal to the appreciation OF local thea
regoers.
The building, which has been erected for
Colonel Wendelscaefer by Mr., James A.
FOSTER. the owner OF the property, Is Ill
uded into two distinct sections-the front,
which is devoted 10 bachelor apartments
superior to anything OF the kind this city
has before had and which has a separate
entrance and elevator, and the theatre,
which Is separated from the front by
broad corridor. into which emergency
exits open from the playhouse on the bal
nony and family circle floors.
FIRE PROOF STRUCTURE.
There are three entrances on Cathedral
olor apartments, the centre one opening
Directly into the theatre lobby. and the
westerly being used for the family circle
entrance and exit and also having an
emergency exit opening into II from the
orchestra floor On each side OF the main
sntrance to the theatre is store. which
also has door opening into the lobby:
and the entire front OF the building sug-
gests sense OF security TO theatre pat
rons, as well as to the occupants OF the
bachelor apartments. by the large iron fire
escape balconies and ladders leading from
the roof TO the street
On each side OF the structure are aiso
IRE escapes. TO which the emergency exits
from each floor OF the theatre lead. while
on the easterly side a wide emergency exit
from the orchestra floor opens. On the
same side. at the rear and near Garoen
street. Is the stage entrance for players
and scenery.
the inspector OF buildings. probably no
theatre in New England is better equip
ped, and few as well, for it's speedy
emptytng after a performance or for the
safe escape OF its patrons in case OF fire
or panic. Fire, however, Is regarded by
its owner and builders, as well as by the
city authorities. as practically impossible.
or at the worst as likely TO involve no
serious consequences or for moment
threaten the safety OF patrons, because OF
the fire proof construction OF the build
Ing and the introduction not only OF the
ordinary safeguards but OF the latest
safety appliances OF every kind and In
every part OF the entire structure.
Colonel Wendelschaefer recognizes the
value OF electric lighting as an important
accessory In making the entrance and in
terror OF theatre attractive, and on tno
front. just over the main entrance and be-
tween the two prettily Illuminated biz
hna "a ta han ala "a. uta
ing In script letters. the word Imperial"
while projecting from the centre OF tho
roof over the sidewalk Is another display
ing the same word In large letters. Above
IL Is an immense metal crown. which Coz
onel Wendelschaefer has happily adopt
ed as most suggestive sort OF trade
mark or his new theatre. brilliantly IL
luminated: and this and the large sign
below may be seen far down Westminster
street and from College hill and other
points on the East Side
MAGNIFICENT INTERIOR
From the outer doors of the main en-
trance 10 the footlights the general style
OF architecture may be said to lean to-
ward the Italian Renaissance, avoiding
the filigree and frils OF the French style
and securing an impressive effect of solid
ity and massiveness with no sacrifice of
grace and delicacy. The floor of the
lobby Ia In mosaic the dado of Sienna
marble and the walls, divided into panels
by pilasters with Ionic capitals, are at
uactively decorated in bronze green set
out with gilt bronze The ceiling. divided
by beams. Is in rare old rose tint. re-
lieved with pea green and gold borders,
while the soffits of the beams are en-
riched with n low relief scroll pattern,
both the pilasters and the beams being in
an old ivory tint. At the left is the box
nf IN al
ivory coloring. with massive brass rail
in front OF the window.
Entering the theatre and passing down
the unusually broad GENRE aisle, carpet
ed. like all the rest OF the theatre. with
rich Wilton OF deep red tints In a very
graceful design, the best idea OF the audi
torium may be gained from a position
in front OF the footlights. At the
rear is an immense deep arch. supported
by Ionic columns In copper bronze, with
the eptablature in gold and green bronze.
The tympanum of the arch is In old ivory.
decorated I'm the centre with a large Tyre
and laurel In gold and green. At the left
room, an especially large and well
equipped apartment, opening from the
side OF the arch, while opposite another
door leads TO a closet.
Inside the archway very broad stair
ways. broken by large square landings
part way UP. lead to the balcony. the
ascent being notably easy.
At the extreme right, viewed from this
position and opposite. on the easterly
side Of the auditorium. are the retiring
rooms and lavatories for ladies.
CLEAR VIEW FROM BALCONY.
The sweep Of the balcony fronts In no.
tably graceful with n dip at each side
designed TO afford an absolutely
view OF the stage from
every seat They extend TO the boxes at
each side. and project farther out over
the orchestra floor than is usual com |
bining with other features OF the general /
design TO produce strikingly "cozy' ef- |
feet. 10 bring the occupants OF N large |
OF the seats In the balconies |
close 10 the stage and TO secure 10 the |,
players that greatly desired and seldom |
attained advantage OF nearness TO the |
great majority OF their auditors. The bal |
cony fronts are I'm high relief staff work. |
with designs of shields. garlands and rib /
bon effects. and are I'm rich gold bronze
and surmounted by brass rsilings.