The daily sentinel., 1905-09-26
THE AUDITORIUM OPENS.

presenting as tne opening dlti idtNloii
Theodore Lorch. the Russian actor
tion of Robert Louis Stevenson s
great novel, DIR. Jekyl and Mr..
Hyde"
Since the announcement was made
two weeks ago that the auditorium
would be remodeled so that it could
within few hours be converted into
a first-class, comfortable and attract
i've theatre and as quickly returned
to its usual state as an immense
ball room there has been much cur
iosity manifested on the part of the
patrons of the house as to how these
new arrangements would be carried
out. Those who visited the audi
torium last night We're easily convinc-
ed that this change had been and
could be made in a most satisfac-
tory manner.
A movable floor has been erected
and on the occasion of a theatrical
entertainment this moor is placed in
position covering nearly thrse-fourths
OF the regular floor space of the
building. After person enters the
door he walks up gradual and easy
incline to the elevated floor and is
ushered to his seat The elevated
floor has the gradual incline neces-
sary TO well arranged theatre.
There are three grades of seats. the
parquet. the dress circle and a sec
tion in the rear About seven hund-
red people can be comfortably and
easily seated. Folding chairs are
used The floor is carpeted.
A big sounding board has been
placed over the stage and the acous-
tic properties of the house are now eX-
cellent Many changes have been
made on the Stage, the rigging and
loft will be arranged so that the larg-
est set pieces OF scenery can be
readily handled.
New exit doors have been placed
in the center of the north wall of the
building consequently the house can
be emptied within few minutes.
Everybody was delighted with the
arrangement of the house, Manager
Boyer plans to convert his house into
theatre at viii have proven most
successful and cozier theatre than
the auditorium one would hardly
care to visit. There is no doubt the
auditorium will prove popular
play house.
The production of Or. Jekyl and
Mr. Hyde, was a pleasing one. Theo-
dore Lorch, who portrays the dual
role of DR.. Jekyl and Mr.. Hyde, is
an actor of considerable ability and
he handled this part one of the most
difficult. of all difficult roles. in a
most satisfactory manner. His por-
trayal OF Or. Jekyl, the suave, kind
hearted. noble-minded physician was
truthful and splendid while his in
depreciation OF the character of Mr..
HYDE. the fiend incarnate and the
very embodiment of evil was equally
as perfect He made the changes
from the handsome doctor to the de-
formed, hideous, glassy-eyed monster
with the rapidity OF lightning and
every change caused the audience to
marvel.
The great scenes of the weird
drama were strongly and ably pre-
sented. Perhaps l.orch displayed the
greatest dramatic power in the scene
in Dr.. l.anyon's Office at the midnight
hour. when entering as Hyde he mix
ed che fatal drug and called upon
Lanyon to witness the transforma-
ton changed from the monster Hyde
into the noble DR.. Jekyl. though
many thought him at his best in the
great and terrible scene in the cabi-
net. the climax of the play.
The company supporting Mr.. Lorch
is not a strong one. several of the
characters being very unsatisfactory.
However the performance was very
creditable throughout and the able
work of Mr.. I.orch easily made up
Tor any defect in the company sup
porting him The big audience was
most liberal in its applause and the
performance undoubtedly pleased.
The work of the orchestra last
night pleased the audience almost as
well as any feature OF the perform
ance. The orchestra adds greatly |
TO the success of a theatrical enter
tainment and Manager Boyer is TO be I
congratulated upon securing the ser
vices of Prof Boyer's orchestra for .
the entire season. The selections by
the orchestra last night were excel I
lent and every selection was heartily !
applauded.