The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-03

especially clever numbers and the man who felt that he didn't get his moneys worth is pessinist who Is doomed to much unhnppiness in the world.
 The old theatre wore new dress last night. It Is a timed -defying struc- ture, the old time play house, fresh clean and bright in spite of the pass ing years. There is hardly a clean CT, handsomer or a more wholesome play house in the Southern circuit. With it's modern equipment, its hand some furnishiAgs- its fresh gildings and frescoes. its brilliant lighting ar engagements. 1t is hard to believe that Booth. Jefferson and Robson and oth- CTS of the old school played in this theatre in their youthful days.
 We have kept at the work of im- proving the Theatre. year after year." said Sam Hircher, one of the managers What was done in one year we have made the foundation for the work of another year. Now, at the beginning of this season the theatre Is in bet ter condition than 1t ever has been be- fore. We are proud of its cleanliness, it's neatness. its safety and It's modern equipment"
 The asbestos curtain the most promi- nent of recent improvements was seen for its first time last night by a Mont gomery audience The curtain which, by the way, is as fine Is the market affords, has been handsomely decorated by local artist. In nearly all the theatres of the country the asbestos curtain Is left in its natural dull and unatarctive gray.
 The asbestos curtain in the Montgom- cry Theatre is down when the audi ence assemblies for the performance. At the first note from the orchestra the asbestos curtain rises slowly leaving the regular curtain in place. The as- bestos curtain then remains in the flies until the finale of the last act when it drops and shuts out the performers from the view of the audience. This procedure at each performance assures the public that the curtain Is in work ing order and is ready for instant use in case of fire.
 Marked Improvements have been made in the lobby. The ornamental tion of the lobby now extends to the sidewalks. The entrance from the scidewalks to the lobby is made through @ handsome arch in which thirty-seven incandescent lights are set. The ceiling of the lobby has been finely and artistically frescoed and new painting marks nearly every part of 1t.
 In the parquet a handsome red carpet has been placed in every aisle. There has been some rearranging of seats to
 
 The theatre has been fully equipped with fire escapes. A feature of the fire escape equipment is the red light which marks every window at which a fire escape Is located. These lights burn continuously throughout a per- formance. No matter if every other light in the house is turned out, the red lights remain to point the way to the fire escapes.
 
 been arranged and the system of light ing the house has been expanded and improved.
 A new orchestra leader sat in the place of authority last night. He is Prof. F. E. Williams and he comes highly recommended. Professor Will Hams has toured the country as musi- cal director of several standard operas but he is lately from South Carolina
 There have been other changes in the orchestra. too. With Professor Williams as director 1t is made up as follows: Piano. E. L. Merriam; bass. R. F. Miller; clarionet. A. L. Stohl- necker: cornet, O. E. Courtney; drums W. Huffman
 The press agent of "The Liberty Belles." was nearer the truth than press agents. are accustomed to be when he predicted that the Radium Ballet would be a sensation. It was It was a weird. unearthIy effect that was secured by some strange and mys- terious arrangements of lights. The six young women who participate in it are the only visible things in the the atre during the dance and they are visible in a vague and hay way The performers are like ghostly phosphor- escent figures dancing in air. The Ra- dium Ballet Is the first theatrical nov city of the year.
 The dormitory scene was splendidly done and the Pink Pajama Girl was as vivacious and charming as any of her many predecessors who married stock brokers or won automobiles and for tunes in Wall Street.
 One is inclined to think that what ever weakness there was in the presenting company. marked the work of the feminine contingent. As a whole the male members of the cast were heater. stronger and clever than here tofore.
 Bat Miss Dorothy Hutchinson Is to be excepted from any criticism that IS aimed al her sex among the Liberty Bcllcs." Miss Hutchinson was refresh ing and Invigorating. She fits in must cal comedy. does Miss Dorothy Hutch inson. It Is her element She has a bird like voice and she moves about the stage with sensuous grace.
 Miss LOtti Stavely and Miss Annie stuart as the Liberty Belles." who left school to open culinary empo. rum. did their work fairly well and satisfactorily for unknowns.
 A diminutive young man of the name of Leach. Percy Leach. scored the real hit of the evening. MT. Leach is also unknown to fame. but his work last night was a mighty fine recon mendation. MT. Leach has the comedy germ. He has the fun-ma king disease in It's worst form. The average actor. somehow. remains blind to the splendid opportunities for comedy in genuine ourlesque. MT. Leach is especially good in burlesque. He knows where the fun is and he brings loads of it ia his audience.
 Mir Leach's side-partner, Frank Far was very good fin comedy. hui