The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-08-31
THENEWPLAYHOUSE
WaIIa WaIIa Theatre Opens
With 1.-The Christian
TONIGHT MANY IMPROVEMENTS
Finest Little Theater In the North
west and Surely To Be Appre-
ciated by Patrons.

simultaneously with the appear
ance Of "The Christian" at the new
Walla Walla theatre this evening,
Walla Walla's new play house, which
| has undergone extensive renovation
and improvement during the summer
months, will be opened TO the Walla
Walla public.
There is every prospect Of a bril-
liant audience being present this eve
ming, the sale of seats for the opening
play being unusually heavy today.
AS the new play house stands to-
day, it is one of the finest little
theatres in the northwest and the
lessees. Joseph McCabe and Calvin
Helig, have every reason be proud
of the Result of several months plan
ming. 1t has meant the expenditure
/ of several thousand dollars to give
| Walla Whlla an up-tO-date theatre.
From top to bottom, from the box
office to the gallery, the handiwork Of
the carpenter and decorator are
very much in evidence.
All told tn. lessees have expended
nearly $4,000 in remodeling and re-
decorating the theatre. The old
stage has been enlarged and arrang-
ed so that standard scenery can be
used, something that in the past had
proved very troublesome to cOmpan-
les carrying their own scenic effects.
The dressing rooms which formerly
were located on the stage have been
removed 70 the lower floor and in
stead of two the management has
installed ten, all cOmmOdiOus and
nicely fitted up. Stoves to heat the
building have been eliminated and
modern heating plant is under
course Of installation. More exits
have been provided and it is the
boast Of the management that the
theatre can be emptied in less than
half the time it formerly took.
The greatest changes have been
made in the main entrance and in
the manner Of conducting patrons TO
the gallery and balcony. Instead of
only one narrow stairway to the gal
lery two large stairways have been
provided and patrons of the balcony
reach their seats through the par
quet by means Of a handsome stair
way, instead of from the foyer as
formerly.
At the head Of the main entrance
is a handsome foyer off from which
are the ladies waiting room, toilet
and cloak room. These have been
handsomely furnished and lighted,
an improvement that the ladies must
surely appreciate.
A number Of changes have been
made in the boxes and orchestra
! pit, ratings being lowered and other
wise fitted up in a modern manner.
the dingy decorations On the cell
| ing have been replaced with a state
| ly and plain effect in yellow and the
lighting arrangements have been
candescents being placed above the
stage and another row arranged on
the wall of the balcony.
Every part of the theater has been
! touched with the painters brush. The
walls have been tinted a deep red
with gold trimmings and the pillars
have been redecorated in a rough
silver effect. The floors have been
repainted as has the main gate
way.
1t is a cause Of much regret to the
lessees that the new seats and drop
curtain have not arrived in time for
the opening night. These were Or
dered from Philadelphia several
months ago and are supposed 10 be
on the way. Nine rows of seats in
the parquet are to be replaced with
new and modern seats, the old ones
to be. removed TO the balcony These
are expected to arrive any day and
will be installed Immediately upon
receipt
AS far as it has been in our pow
er We have tried to give Walla Walla
al up-to-date theatre" Mr.. McCabe
said this morning. 1T has meant the
expenditure of a large sum of mon
ey, almost $4,000, but both Mr..
Helig and myself feel satisfied with
The result. Bookings that have al
ready been made assures WalIa Wal
ID theatre-goers a splendid array Of
talent during the coming season."