New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-27
THEATRE PANIC AVERTED
ALL SAFEGUARDS READY.
Won,an in Harlem Opera House
Heard Engine IN Street.

Coolness on the part Of the theatre officials
actors and others in the Harlem Opera House
in the midst of the performance of Lefty" i'll
which William Faversham Is the star, yester-
day afternoon checked in its early stages a
threatened panic in which practically everybody
in the audience left their seats. Many could not
be restrained from leaving the theatre The
trouble was caused by a woman in the balcony
who hysterically cried Fire" when she heard
as did others, the clang and rumble of fire
engine on its way TO a fire remote from the
theatre.
Engine Company No IS. with quarters in
West ne-hundred- and -eghteenth-st, was
making fast time up Seventh-ave. to a fire in
One -hundred-an forty ninth-st. The Harlem
Opera House is the north side of One-hun-
dred- twenty ifth-s just west of Seventh
ave- and has an entrance in One-hundred-and
twenty ysixth-st Traffic in Seventh-ave. is
plainly heard in the theatre. especially in the
balcony and gallery. the sounds coming through
the One-hundred- and -twenty-s -siXth-st. entrance.
When the woman who cried Fire" and whose
name could not be ascertained shouted the
cry was distinct that it was heard in nearly
all parts of the house. Interest in the fourth
act of Lefty" was forgotten, and the audi
ence hurried out into the asles and from the
upper floors TO the stairways
Then the precautions taken by theatre man.
ayers recently for just such emergencies were
put to good Alexander Lichtenstein. man
ager and owner of the theatre. gave the electric
fire emergency signal. which sent every en-
ploye of the house on a specific duty and to a
specific station.
Mr. Lichtenstein called out loudly that there
was no danger He told the audience the fire
exits were open and that everybody who wished
to do so could leave the theatre but he advised
all present TO remain in their seats. His coun-
sci was repeated in a loud voice by Harry AIeeks
the superintendent of the theatre from the
easterly aisle. The fire exit doors meanwhile
had been opened by the ushefS. who stood at
the exits advising a return Of the audience to
their seats, but explaining that those who
Wlshed 10 do so could take their time in leaving.
Following the emergency signal. the asbestos
curtain was lowered and Mr. Faversham and
John Regal, the fireman regularly stationed al
the theatre, went before the footlights and said
there was no fire in the theatre, and no danger
from fire outside; that fire was in progress
| anywhere near the building. With all these eff
forts and those of Henry Young, the treasurer
or the theatre and Of his assistant. Charles
Laughiln both of whom were cOunselling order
on the stairWays and in the lobby exit. there
were scores of persons who did not remain. They
| Ieft the theatre by the fire and other exits
however, in good order. thanks to the direction
! OF the theatre attaches
The hats and gloves of many women were
! crushed or lost but so far known no person
/ tainted Among those who complimented Mr.
Lichtenstein, the manager, and attaches of the
| theatre was ]. L. Mott, of No. 10 Fifth-aVe
! the iron merchant. 1t was the opipion of Mr.
Mott and others that even If there had been p
lre IN the building everybody inside would have
Deen able to reach the street in safety thanks
! 10 the coolness and evidence of training on the
part OF the theatre employees for just such ar
! emergency.