The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-10-12
New Play House Opened Last
Evening With Two Perform
ances and Big Crowds At
tended Each.
is A MODEL THEATEl
AND IS FIRE-rRO0F
Manager Murray, in Return
For Compliments Given Him
Offered Best Vaudeville Bill
Possible.

The New Murray theater, Tenth and
Main streets, was formally opened to
the public last evening, with the most
exceptional program that has ever
been given in this city, and in the
presence of two large audiences which
taxed the capacity of the theater.
Many were prevented from attending
the first performance, but were pres
ent at the second.
The New Murray theater has been
under the progress of construction
since last spring. The finishing
| touches have not all been put on the
| building as yet. although the theater
proper is completed. 1t was pronounc-
| ed the most up to date vaudeville
house in the middle west by the pa.
irons who were present
House Safe One.
Every detail for the comfort and
safety Of the public has been effec-
lively worked out in the construction
OF the house. Likewise every detail
for putting on the attractions to best
advantage. The color scheme is old
ivory. green and gold being particul-
arly pleasing to the eye.
The seating capacity of the play
house is approximately 800 and suffic-
lently large to warrant the staging of
high class plays, other than vaude-
vile attractions. In fact, the manage
ment may later bring a few of the
best shows on the road here. In re-
spect to the seating capacity, it could
have been increased a large percent,
had not Mr.. Murray made comfort the
most important rule of his plans in
the construction of the house The
seats are sufficiently wide to admit
the fat man at the circus and permit
him to enjoy the performance. The
tall man who has no place to put his
knees at the ordinarily arranged play
house, will have no complaint to make
about the seat arrangement in the
New Murray.
! A Spacious Lobby.
In entering the theater, one passes
into a spacious lobby. attractively fit
ed and decorated. The wainscoating
lobby is marble. Both the entrance
and the lobby are we'll lighted Off
to the left of the lobby as one enters,
is to be found the office and ladies
retiring room. Before passing into
the main auditorium of the theater,
one goes through three sets of doors
which prevent all noise from Main
street and cold air from entering.
| In respect to the fire protection af-
forded the public, Mr. Murray has ar
ranged so that in the event of a fire
the danger is reduced to almost nil.
The stage curtain is made out of as
bestos and there is also provided a
waterproof curtain. Any blaze start
ing on the stage would be confined to
that particular section of the theater.
Even providing a fire started from
some source in the main auditorium,
it would be possible to empty the
theater in record time. there being
exits to either side of the theater.
This is true of the gallery as we'll as
the main floor.
| Murray compIimented.
| Compliments were bestowed on Mr.
Murray from every side. Those who
could congratulate him personally did
so. but this was impossible for all and
they showed their appreciation of Mr..
Murray's efforts in their behalf by ap-
plause. 1t is safe to say that there
was not disappointed person present
last evening.
| A number Of professional theater
]
inspection party and paid Mr.. Murray
the highest compliments.
Mr.. Murray was represented by At
torney Will Keller. Mr.. Keller made
a short speech in which he congratu-
lated the public on having such an
excellent play house and made COM
plimentary references to Mr.. Murray
for his endeavor to furnish Richmond
with the best vaudeville attractions.
These references were followed by
prolonged applause from the audience.
A Spacious Bill.
| As pertains to the initial perform
ance given in the theater. nothing too
complimentary can be said Of it. 1t is
without exception, one hundred per-
cent better than any vaudeville per-
Torrance ever put on in this city be-
fore.
| lie Clair and Sampson, the burles-
que strong man have one of the clev-
crest stunts on the stage today Fergu-
son and Passmore, who are advertised
as past masters in dancing, live up to
their advertised reputation. The one
act comedy "Our Wife" put on by
Frank Rutledge and two supporting
characters is very good. However, the
hit of the evening was Eddie Adair
and his Yankee Octette and Edythe
Henney. This act is high class must
cal comedy. The eight members of
the chorus. Mr.. Adair and Miss Hen
ney, are well costumed. have a num-
Der of catchy and original songs and
carry special scenery.