New-York tribune., 1902-01-09
A BIG AMLISENENT SCHEME
THEATRE AND CIRCUS IN ONE THE LAT
EST IDEA
MR. THOMPsONS INTERESTING PROJECT
KLAW & ERLANGER PLAN ANOTHER
THEATRE

Frederick Thompson has obtained an option to
lease plot at the northwest corner of Thirty
seventh-st and Seventh-ave. from the estate Of
James Floyd White. He intends it for new place
of amusement. The lease is TO be for twenty-one
years, with the right have. If desired two
renewals for similar periods. The plot has front
age of 10 feet in the avenue and 275 feet in the
street. 1t comprises ten lots. Mr.. Thompson in
tends rent the property in accordance WIN the
terms of the option.
Mr. Thompson was Interested in three OF
the most successful entertainments in the Midway
at the Pan-American Exposition The amusement
scheme which he designs for the SeNenth-aNe
plot is certainly unique and interesting. the dl-
mensions already given indicate an unusually large
space for such purpose. The main part OF the
building to be erected Is to consist OF theare
capable of holding ABOUT two thousand persohS'
But II is to be much than theatre 1t Is also
have a circus ring of the standard diameter OF
forty-two feet This circus ring will be half under
the stage and half in front of it, When II is 10 De
used the semi-Circle of stage floor which parity
ii will be dropped n few incheS ana Sl'u
away under the stage, leaving the ring ciear TOT
exhibitions Of horsemanshp, acrobatics, etc III is
particularly designed for exhibitions of trained
animals. similar Hagenbecks, or that given oy
Frank Bostock in Buffalo last summer.
Rising from the level of the circus ring Will De
the orchestra seats the floor having steep pitch
Behind these will be complete sem-circle OF
boxes and behind these again wide dress circle
also steepy inclined. Above this Will be TWO pdi-
comics The stage will he fully equipped for the
presentation of big ballcts vaudeville acts or
plays. if desired Thus, single entertt'nHi'l'l
can be given consisting of circus acts. trained
animals vaudeville. music and ballet or spectacle
Moreover the circus ring can QUICKLY pe 1uiilea IN
suitable place for exhibitions kept the Lon
don Hippodrome crowded all last summer.
The main auditorium Will be reached ov q. paSSdSe
from the principal entrance to the pulidIns IN
Seventh-ave. This passage viii rise SllehIiy 70 t
middle of the auditorium, while another way from rom
entrance will lead 20 the regions utsutI
the auditorium. where the cages OF the animals Will
q built into the walls. The spaces or theSe cages
be used for other purposes such as llluslohS
over get tired of animals AT me rtat oi liT tuH
auditorium and between it and Seventh-ave. VIII
be large room which is designed Ior care ti atio
animals will be placed around the SIDES anu IN tue
middle will be the tables for the serving OF re-
freshments The whole room may also De hade
into a nalm garden. striking feature OF the plan
is that il does not provide for roof garden -,
1t will thus be seen that the building wiz az
almost any variety at once. II mas pT0Vislot Lui
opera drama, spectacle. ballet VaudeViie, cOhctIt'
circus, menagerie swimming eXhiolton' htuSIoil,
aquarium. And IL may at Will. De devoted 70 dilS
single one of these to selection or conblha-
ton. II could even hold a small horse sho" ~ a.
pinch. Mr.. Thompson has hitherto SHOWN @ @EIea'
ingenuity in deVsing novel and entertaining Sho"S
and ne will here find remarkable opportunity.
klaW e. ErlanEer have renewed TOT n term ol
years their contract with the RogerS nT3ShfTTS' niT'
which expires after next season: John J. Mc;NilS;
who has written The Rogers Brothers series or
plays. Is at work their next seasons piece.
which will be known as The Rogers Brothers IN
harvard" They will be in this farce at the
Knickerbocker Theatre on september i gtu thlS
win be the last engagement OF the N2Sers P,
ger have planned 10 build for them theatre Tor
the following year, This theatre VII be -, Hn,lrTS
Independent of the Forty second street @ @Ineatre.
which the Klsw & Erlanger Construction Company