Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1909-10-27
NEW THEATRE SEEMS
TO be IN SIGHT
Harold Brothers May Re-
model Allen House.
A Fine Opportunity to
Make Ii Into Modern
Play House.

Americus has, apparently, an eX
cellent prospect now of having a new
| theatre. While the building will no
be new entirely, it will be new in the
| theatrical sense, as it will be an OLE
building thoroughly reconstructed into
a modern and highly attractive play
| house.
The old Allen House property, fac
ing on Forsyth street and running &
| long distance down Cotton avenue, is
the property in question. This is part
of the Harold estate, and is in the
| hands of Messrs. Thomas and Frank
| Harold, who are now consulting with
parties skilled in such matters as to
the expense that would be incurred
in the alteration and equipment of the
| building.
The site is an admirable one for the
purposes of a theatre and the build
ing, it is believed, is one that can
easily and at minimum of expendi-
ture be converted into very salts
factory theatre.
The main entrance to the proposed
theatre would be between the Ameri-
Gus National Bank and the store OF
the Bailey Co. The present broad en-
trance there could easily be converted
into a splendid entrance. Exits would
be provided in addition on the Cotton
avenue side so that the building could
be quickly emptied in the event of
necessity arising.
The old Allen House property was
erected originally for cotton ware
house and was used as such for many
years. It's walls are thick and solid
and it would be no difficult matter to
tear out the inside partitions, in the
rear of the two front stores on Jack
son street, and with the inbTior once
gutted proceed to reconstruct it as a
theatre The main auditorium would
be on the ground floor, and there could
be easily installed one large gallery
and a smaller top gallery, giving a
seating capacity adequate foF, a town
-of- 20 e, ,6904G-p coo -peGs1rft The stage would be
located at what is now the rear end
of the building, and a stage loft could
be built into which scenery could be
lifted, as is frequently done in pres
ent day theatres. Two tiers of hand
some boxes would give an artistic eff
feet to the interior and add 10 its pop
ularity.
The Messers. Harrold' are seeking
to interest a we'll known theatrical
man in the enterprise They are will
ing to expend a considerable sum
themselves in the improvements and
if the interest of a responsible theatri-
cal man. i'll position to make the best
use of the opportunities such a build
ing would furnish, can be secured,
there is a strong probability that the
plan will be put through in time to
have the theatre in readiness for the
next season.
All who have been made acquaint-
ed in this city with the project
ed plans have been enthusiastic in
their praises and confident that in this
way the problems as to how Americus
is to secure a new and suitable thea.
tire can be solved without too heavy
an expenditure of money. At present,
with the exception of the two For
syth street premises, the large build
ing in question is a very poor revenue
producer. This makes it more espe-
cially applicable for theatrical pur-
poses.
Americus has sadly needed an up
| to-date theatre for some years. The
old theatre, never very imposing OF
adequate structure, has long outlived
it's usefulness for a city of the size
and Importance of this. The attend
! ance at theatrical performances would
undoubtedly be greatly stimulated
with a pretty theatre, more high-grade
companies would be secured and the
/ advantages of life in Americus woulC
/ be corresponding increased to the
host who dearly love good play
properly put on, amid surroundings
| that are pleasing to the eye and cal
! culated to set off the gowns OF thi
fair attendants