The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-04-18

| orchestra and balconies will accommo-
date third more people than the Met
ropolitan operahouse and almost twice
as many as New Yorks next largest
theater. 1t is equivalent to two OF
London's Hippodrome, generally re-
garded heretofore as the most interest
| ing modern structure of it's kind. The
| building is as fireproof as architectural
ingenuity can make it, and in emer-
gencies it's audience can be emptiej
| through thirty-six exits.
The structure represents an invest
ment of $1,750,O0O. It's purpose is to
present in remarkable mixture, circus
extravaganza, melodrama, ballet and
water show.
Two great balconies rise in the rear
and along their rails and at either side
are seventy-five boxes, seatig from
five to twenty-five people each. Be-
hind the orchestra extends promenade
with smoking and refreshment rooms,
200 by so feet in dimensions.
Thus far it is merely a theater of
ordinary architecture on a magnified
scale. the difference from all other
New York places of amusement is no
ticed at a first glance at the
proscenium.
An Idea Of the Interior.
Extending sixty feet forward Of this
proscenium opening, which measures
46x96 feet is an extension, or apron,
occupied by two great rings, beneath
which is the tank for aquatic perform
ances, with a uniform depth of four
teen feet and into which water can be
pumped at the rate Of 5000 gallons a
minute.
The stage area covers so feet in
depth and 200 feet between side walls.
OF this area the central portion imme-
diately back of the arch is practical
ly huge elevator carried ON four
twelve-inch hydraulic rams and capa-
BILE of vertical movement of feet. It's
weight is 23O tons, and it is equipped
with CONFERENCE.-The guided by steel
columns. This movable structure can
be locked and made stationary at any
required elevation. Of the intricate
lighting equipment and it's miles of
connecting wires little need be said ex-
cept that it is promised to be the near
est complete of any theater In the
world.
On the roof is storage place for 10000
gallons of water, from which lead six
four-incn standpipes connected with
fire-hose on every floor, beside the au-
tomato sprinkling apparatus on the
stage.
Around and underneath the stage are
grouped the one hundred dressing
rooms, and below the main auditorium
are the steel cages for wild beasts, suf-
ficient in number to house comfort
ably an ordinary circus.
The performance began with the
spectacl "a Yankee Circus on Mars"
The first scene showed a stranded
American circus bought by a Marian
who takes it to mis- planet.
/ Following the circus on Mars, came
spectacular production of American
civil war incidents, "Andersonville, a
Story of Wilson's Raiders In this
there was battle scene, bringing num-
bers Of mounted men on the stage. The
great hippodrome tank was utilized in
the battle scene, the fore part of the
stage sinking until the stage repre-
scented river.
With mounted troops represented in
retreat, horses and riders rush forward
and plunge into the water, many feet
deep. Many horses were in the water
at the same time.
The stage is remarkably large, and
at times was crowded. Hundreds Of
persons and many animals, including
elephants and horses, were in view at
one time. The circus specialties intro
duced in the first part of the perform
ance were unusually good.