New-York tribune., 1909-10-17
SOTHERN AND NARROW E
Open in ShaLespeare's "-1ntony and
Cleopatra" on NOUember 8.

The New Theatre the ~ Arrest approach 20 "a ,,7-
tonsl theatre IN this country. is fast reaching COM
rleton The date O. the opening performance has
t,.en fixed FOR November s, when Mr. Sothern and
aess Narloue, who are members OF the comnany
ali be seen with their colleagues in Shakespearc's
4.ntony and Cleopatra. - high are The ambitions
n tho founders and managers of the theatre so
beautiful and adequate is the structure itself and
50 excellent the players engaged that the open
sag may well be considered a national" event in
,be annals OF dramatic art
For the benefit OF those who are stil inquiring
where and what Is The New Theatre?" let II be
sad that the institution Cfor such il must be con-
sidercdl is situated IN Central Park West between
esa and esd streets II is built of clear gray In
diana limestone and it's modern design is touched
with .hc spirit OF the Italian Renaissance. It re-
minds one somewhat Of the Sansovine Library in
shs Piazza di san Marco Venice.
AS the theatre is in no sense a commercial IN
6ertaking the architects We're allowed considerable
latitude The entire building is nor given over 10
the auditorium and the stage. but provides COM
raodious FOYER. TWO grand staircases retiring and
smoking rooms. tea room. restaurant. buffet, Of
ices fo- the directorate and staff, scores of en-
frances and exits. numerous vestbules. and a
founders room. greenroom and library. Every de-
fan is designed with sincere regard for beauty
and comfort
The auditorium is elliptical in shape. with the
lonE axis parallel 10 the prosconiIIm arch There
are tventy-three boxes. extending I'm i single row
around tho orclrestra four feet above the main
soor The latter inClines that every seat COM
rrands an unhindered view Of the stage Each box
accommodates six persons. and each has small
drawing or reception room behind. from which II is
serarated by tapestries. These rooms open into
rrivate hail. from which stone steps lead 10 the
main fovo- on the mezzanine floor 10 the corri-
dor beloe. Rising in a receding curved line above
the boxes are the foyer stalls and the first and
secon6 balconies.
The color scheme is driftwood gray and gold
suggesting simplicity and a due regard for the ira
sitiors Of theatre decoration. Sometimes the gray
IS seer on a heavy gold background. and some
tines the gold is on a background Of gray. The
hangings Of boxes and foyer stalls oerlse- The
balustrades are a royal gold bronze elevated on a
Breche violette marble base with marble dies. The
proscenium arch is framed in greenish unged Con
neInars marble, over which is the theatres crest
Two masks with a mirror in the centre bearing the
legend TO Hold. as 'Twere, the Mirror Up Il
Nature" Inscribed on Connenara tablets along
the walls and under the dome, are the names o.
fourteen great dramatists
The auditorium is surrounded on each floor by :
broad corridor, and all the aisles unusuall,
vide At the corners Of the corridors are Two Ions
double spiral staircases Of great beauty
The main foyer VIII be decorated with beautiful
paintings largely through the benehcence Of VIII
IAN K Vanderbilt who has already given thre
famous Baudry paintings from his own collections
ara q sum OF money for the purchase Of Othe
works The foyer Is constructed Of rich Sieni
marble and gold and has at either end orchestrs
rstform which VIII be used by the orchestra dur
,ns intermissions dramatic performances.
Al one end of the circulation the foyer Zoo
kRtsa room. daintily done in pale green AM
Ehhs WedgWood effect. Here tea viii be serves
dwfng the entractes. At the other end of tn
cFcuia iation Is the women's retiring room, pleasifg
decorated IN similar manner.
The circulations in the rear OF the first and sec
Ond balconies are cornmOdious and intended TO b
used promenades during intermssions. On on
floor Is the founders ROOM splendidly fitted, an
the other the library. The former has beel
furnished by the founders themselves. and is re
markable for its taste and beauty. The library 10
the players which adjoins the dressing rooms, is
model OF its kind. and has oak bookcases risinl
from the floor 10 the ceiling. The books viii in