New-York tribune., 1904-09-25
NEW. LIBERTY THEATRE.
Another Playhouse to Open In
Forty-Second-St.


The new Liberty Theatrs IN Forty -second-st, be-
tween Broadway and Eighth-ave.. win be opened
on Monday evening" October 10 with The Rogers
Brothers IN Paris" now playing at the New-Am-
stsrdan. The new Liberty. which is now practical
ly completed, Is owned by the Klaw Erlanger
Amusement Company. 1t Will be under the
ngsment OF Klaw S Erlanger. and was built 70 pro-
vide New-York home for the Rogers Brothers.
who have interest in ii.
The new playhouse will have about the seating
capacity Of the Knickerbocker Theatre and is de-
signed In the style OF Francis T. AS this style
nourshed IN the time OF the later troubadours. it
was considered appropriate in character for
theatre devoted TO light music and comedy. There
two balconies. both Of which built on ths
cantilever principle There is not post pillar
in the house TO obstruct clear view OF the stage.
The theatre is built entirely OF freproof material
skeleton steel construction. concrete and tile floors
and Is supplied with a powerful sprinkler and
standpipe system. connected with enormous tanks
on the roof kept constantly filed with 15.Oo0 gal
Ions Of water by a complete direct pumping system
Every requirement OF the building laws regulating
the construction OF theatres IN this city has more
than been complied with. especially IN the matter
OF exits When the plans were drawn they were not
only passed by the Buildings Department with
mendaton, but they were also submitted to the
Board OF Fire Underwriters and every additional
suggestion made by this body was accepted and
carried out.
The main entrance on Forty-second-st- is sup
plementsd as exit by wide court on each side
OF the theatre running into Eorty-drSt-St prOVid-
ing separate exits on both sides OF the house from
the auditorium and both balconies. Besides these.
there two large protected stairGases the
north side OF the house. These courts are twelve
feet wide. three and half feet wider than the
law requires. There are five exits into them from
the orchestra floor, besides the main entrance from
Forty-second-st. From the first balcony there
four exits into them and ths two grand stair
cases leading the main floor. and the Forty
ond-st. entrance. From the second balcony there
Aavt
interior dreproof staIrcases connecting with any
other part OF the theatre running to FOrty-rst-st
These with the main entrance staircase make nine
hreproof exits from tho second, or upper balcony.
which has seating capacity OF only 2si people.
This gives twenty-One separate interior freproof
exits exclusive OF elaborate system OF sx-
terror fire escape galleries all sides OF the build
ing The dressing rooms are situated on the For
ty-hrst-st side and are provided with exterior fire
escape galleries. with exits to the street AT both
ends or the building. Filled TO its capacity. this
theatre can be empued from ,I, t4p to bottom IN
less than two minutes: NO interior exit staircase
IN the building is less than nine feet In width All
The principal motif in the architectural decora-
tiOn OF the Forty -second-st facade-the Liberty
through the entire design TO the arches over the
proscenum and boxes; The main entrance on For
representing Comedy and Song, and is also treated
In the ssme style as the remainder Of the decera-
tons. The vestbule has an arched dome extending
about thirty feet. Here doors Of embossed leather
swing into spacious Foyer about fifty feet in
length. Patrons OF the first and second balconies
will go up wide grand staircase Immediately fac
ing the foyer. while those who purchase orchestra
seats viii turn to the right into the grand prom
enade and orchestra.
The mural decorations. designed by F. Richard
Anderson. In keeping with the general char
acter of the theatre. The treatment OF the domed
vestibule which leads into the foyer is old gold
and aluminium. The Soyer leading into the grand
promenade is toned in ivory and white. The treat
ment OF the grand promenade Is a part OF the
color scheme OF the audltorium-tones IN old gold
amber and ivory. This color scheme includes the
seats, carpets, draperies and drop curtain the
purpose being to create soft but briianes effect
The dome is decorated In the old Colonial roof
beam effect. over the boxes, either side OF the
proscenium arch. the feature Of the ornamentation
Is eagle with wings rampant surmOunttng a
Liberty Bell The decoration Of the ladies' retiring
rooms is carried out In the pansy design with apple
green ivory and gold. The furnishings in BIRDS
eye maple The mems lounging and smoking room
Is fitted in old English style in weathered oak with
massive furniture upholstered In Spanish leather.