New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-09
NEW ASTOR THEATRE.
TO Open Wednesday, nth Mm
Russell as Puck.

Few theatres will equal and fewer stu sur.
pass the new Astor Theatre when Il vfr b
thrown open to the public next Wednesday
night. when Miss Russell viii appear thers a
Puck The new theatre. az Broadway and
| 4oth street. is modelled % a great extent On
the theatre OF Dionysius built IN Atasns AGO
years ago. The plans have been changed Of
course. TO meet modern demands bur tho
spirit Of the ancient theatre on the southwestern
slope Of the hill OF the Acropolls has bean prs.
served as far as possible.
The color scheme throughout Is sold-n ma
hogany, which has been strengthened By ths
warm bur OF the stone used IN the construction
OF the balconies. box fronts and the pToscanium
arch The side walls first seen on sntsrins the
house. are decorated throughout with tapestry
made especially IN France for the theatr. Ths
ceiling Is laid OF In three great panels. sxcept
directly IN front OF the proscsnium arch. vhsrs
II curves gracefully. and where many snail
panels are decorated with small Grssk orna-
ments Around the ceiling. at the side walls. IS
an sntablature eight feet deep. with projection
Of five feet. pure Greek IN outline In the centre
panel OF the ceiling Is a circular Ionic moulding
from which swings an enormous globe shaped
chandelier, surrounded by eight smaller globes
of similar design Above the prOsceniun arch
are three Greek lamps OF odd design. each large
enough for a man 70 stand inside upright. ard
Erechtheum at Athens. The proscerium arch
itself IS rather unusual IN appearance, with Two
tall columns on either side. modelled. VITA GER
tain notifications. from the monument OF LSA sc
rates.
The main body OF the prosceniurn curtain Is
dark silk velvet. but extending along me IoN1
part is a border. eight feet wide. OF painted
tapestry. This tapestry, which IS fOrty-1ve rect
long. IS a reproduction OF the famous frisze OK
DiOnysius. and shows the figures OF Euterpe.
MelpOmene. Thalia and Terpsichore. IL took zen
months 10 paint this tapestry. and its sizs mas
il necessary 10 paint a. IN three sections whiea
were afterward woven together 20 InaAs on'
piece.
There are twelve boxes built OF stous, ina
rectangular lines or which are relieved by scrren
work festOOned with classic ornaments tn'
decorations here. as in other parts or inc TIE
atre are IN a deep shade of Grecian red velvet
with trimming OF gold and silver balloons az
appIiqued with antique bTOcades Silver wood y
employed throughout the theatre. and this. N
the dOOrways and windows IS enriched WIN
Grecian leaf carvings and heavy gilt mounrinss
Buff stone has also been employed IN tns
lobby which IS entered directly from Broadway
and which IS thirty-siX feet deep and twenty
feet wide. The walls are panelled IN Grectan es-
ramics. There is a tessellated floor, heavy stone
pflasters and stone beams at the ceiling Mors
than usual attention has been given by Wager
halls & kemper. the managers. 70 attractiV'
lOunging rooms. The women : res~iLls lO S,Ts
shows general decorations N cream ana pa'
green. with walls hung IN green brocade pansA
For the men there is a gray and crimson sInoA
ing ROOM .,
The architect announces that there Ougnt 20.
to be the slightest difficulty IN eulptying w
theatre In three minutes On the 45th strs7s
side there are eight exits. on the north side ST.
from the balcony seven. from the gallery seven
Back of the curtain, as well as IN the front q
the house there are comfort and cOnvenerce
The nineteen dressing rooms are IN building
separate from the theatre proper. These rooms
have been provided with such modern improve
ments as will secure perfect heating. nghtlns
and ventilating Each room has been deco
rated 70 follow the general color scheme OF ~
house. There IS also an added feature u
the top floor. which consists OF one large apart
rnent fitted I'D as library and general lounsAs
room for the members OF the company.
The architect OF the AstOr Theatre Is Geofs'
Keister, the builder NJ ". Bimberg the deco
ratOrs III. T. Huber & Co. Wagenhals & KEN
per are the sole lessees and managers.