The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-05-31
NEW THEATRE READY
CASINO TO OPEN AT PIcKETT's
 SPRINGS.
First Performance at Jake Wells House by the Robinson Opera Company Takes Place
 Tomorrow Night.

The Casino. Jake Wells handsome summer theatre at Pickett's Spring, will be thrown open to the public for the first time tomorrow night, The opening bill will be Said Pasha," sung by the Robinson Comic Opera Company which will arrive | today from Birmingham for the opening bill.
 The construction work on the Casino has been rushed to complete it for the opening night. The finishing touches will be added today and tomorrow by a spe- ciai force of workmen. It is probable that work will be continued all of tonight. The local representatives of MT. Wells are determined that there shall not be a mo- ments delay from the announced hour of opening tomorrow night.
 The Casino Is built just west of the Pickett Springs pavilion between the pa- vilion and the Lower Wetumpka Road. The gravelled driveway from the We- tumpka Road to Pickett Springs runs by the door, The street car system is only few yards away.
 The Theatre is built on hiIslide, ad- vantage being taken of the declivity for the necessary construction of the build ing. The gradual descent necessary in the construction of a theatre floor was accomplished in the building of the Ca sino in constructing it's floor in conform ity with the slope of the hillside The hill also, without any great amount of exca- vation, gave room for the building of a number of dressing rooms under the stage.
 The Casino has Colonial front It presents with its Corinthian columns an,l tasteful decorations are attractive ap- pearance. It is an oblong structure | rising abruptly to three stories in height in the rear portion to give place for the rressilg rooms. the stage and the scenery
 The auditorium is deep and long, one story In height. The sides Ire ventilated | by widely separated seats and other open ings. The sum ner breezes will have ample opportunity for passage. Tarpau- lins are kept in readiness to cover the sides for the matinees.
 Entrance to the Casino Is had by three steps that descend to the grassed drive way. The box office is conveniently located to the right of the wide doors that open into the auditorium of the Casino
 The theatre has a seating capacity of l'lH. The chairs were secured with a special view to the comfort of the pat rons of the Casino. They are of light wood. ventilated, cool and comfortable.
 The stage is deep and capacious. Of it MT. Wells's manager said yesterday that 1t would accommodate any scenery and that any show could be staged at the Casino A handsome drop curtain is all ready in place and the other scenery was being set yesterday. A car load of Casino scenery reached the city yester- day. All shows at the Casino will be staged with the care and attention to de- tail that has made the name of Jake Wells famous throughout the South. The same scenery which has been put on in the successful theatres of Wells in the Southern States will be put on at the Casino. A number of dressing rooms are provided with every convenience for the actors. The stage has a proscenium depth of 65 feet.
 The Casino Is an exact reproduction of Jake Wells's theatre at Richmond. Va, and at Oceon Grove. N. J. The Casino was built by J. G. White & Co. under the personal super vision of J. H. Kelly, Jake Wells's construc- tion representative. The scenery was con structed by W. H. Ladd. wels's agent at At lanta, and it put up by R. Howard Hays
 As to the policy of the Casina, E. A. Looney, local manager for MT. Wells. said:
 ''The name of Jake Wells Is in itself guarantee of fair dealing with the public The liberal and careful policy which has own him success in other cities will characterize the management of the Casino. Nothing short of the very best both in scenic effects and in the quality of the producing companies will be put before the public.
 The Casino will be absolutely safe for any lady to attend with her child. No boisterous
  best Of order will be maintained at every per formance.
 No candy or peanut peddlers will be allowed in the Casino. Nothing whatever will be sold within the building. For the comfort of the patrons free ice water will be distributed
 A performance will be given every night next week. There will De matnees on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
 The Robinson Company will appear here Monday night and Tuesday matinee and night In Said Pasha;" on Wednesday night and at the two performances on Thursday Fra Di- avolo' will be the bill. and on Friday and Saturday nights, with the usual Saturday mati- ness. the first week of the engagement will close with "Grohe- -Glroha"
 Among the people who will appear in the prominent roles in the opening opera Said Pasha," are Zelda Rotali. the great Italian prima donna: Madeline Lowry, mezz0 so- prano: Cara Deane. contralto; Carroll Michael comedian; James R. Donnelly, comedian; Jules Cluzett. tenor: Frenk French, baritone, and Thomas .Donnelly, character comedian. Carl DonWegern is the musical director of the en- terprise and Mr. Frank ". French the stage manager.
 Two new cutters. costing sloo 900. are to