Omaha daily bee., 1910-02-27

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IE2SE

ence ON Thursday evening.
- Omaha will have the most
SG4EhAf beautiful theater in the west
49, ern part of the United States,
II not in the entire country. and one of tho
most beautiful in the world. This is not
a mere figure of speech. but a sober state
ment. No theater in all the west, from Chi
cago to San Francisco, unless 1t be the new
Columbia but recently opened at San Fran
cisco, can approach, much less compare,
with tho Brandeis in point Of simple ele-
gance. Its beauty is Of the sort that will
appeal to the esthetic soul; 1t has nothing
that Is garish or obtruslve. Everything
has been done on that scale OF lavish
treaRment which recognizes the art that
eonceals artiflce," and provides for tho
appeal to the soul Of man through his
senses, assailing them by the most subtle
and delicate OF methods. At no point does
the interior of the new theater present q
direct attack on any of the senses; nothing
in its ensemble challenges attention or
commands observance, but its every aspect
appeals In the most alluring way to the
artistic side of mans nature, and without
his being aware Of how or why, the OBJ
server finds himself quietly but surely Slip
ping into the mood suggested by the sur
~roundings, and drifting away from the
sordld things of life and into a sense OF
luxurious satisfaction from which he will
hesitate to depart.
First OF all, the Brandeis theater is the
last word in theater construction from tho
standpoint OF comfort for the patron. Not
a thSng has been left undone that would
add tven in the slightest degree to the
comfort or convenience OF those who as
semble there to take their pleasure in
watching the plays. Not only has the ar
tlst developed his best in the decorations
OF the theater. but he has united his eff
forts to those of the artisan. and they
AVE completed the circle by pro-
viding the necessities of such kind as
will give the highest of usefulness
with the most pleasing OF the merely beau
tifuls From the very beginning It was
set down that when the Brandeis opened
its doors to the public, 1t would be to well
come Omaha folks to a theater of which
they would be proud. This purpose has
always been kept in mind, and the builders,
the architects. and the lessees have been
from time to time surprised by the owners,
h have suggested additions here and al
teratlons there, all designed to give to the
theater more OF genuine beauty. of real
comfort and the general tone OF %sumptuous
elegance that makes for the real sensuous
delight Of the modern theater. A single
instance may serve TO illustrate this point:
one afternoon. several weeks ago, the
Messrs, Brandeis, with Mr.. Burgess, Mr..
Weston, MIR. Latenser and some OF the
kubcontractors were standing on the
main floor Of the theater, discussing de-
tails OF the work. One of the Messrs.
Brandeis turned aside for q moment, and
than aatrad stsyUnnI1ptt n nrnnarIxr d..tur,a
mantel. with lighting fixtures. fit in here
nicelyG' and followed up his suggestion
by asking that a drawing be made for the
purpose. The drawing was made and sub
mft,ed the next day, along with the esti-
mAed cost of 81, 800. Mr.. Brandeis studied
It a moment, regarding the effect. and
then ordered one on each side OF the
theater-an extra cost OF 5000. just to fill
a vacant place on the wall, but 1t will be
found that these mantels will greatly en-
nance the general effect.
In this way the theater has been built.
Its loneliness of white and gold, of marble
and silken walls. OF delicate water colors
and dull gold light fixtures, OF the rich
curtains and exquisitely modelled sculp-
lures. are all the outgrowth Of a deter
minatlon that Omaha should have a theater
worthy OF the name. From the sidewalk
In front to the big blank wall at the rear
OF the stage, everything has been provided
on this one plan, Not a detail that will
conduce to the comfort OF the patron has
been omitted everything that will please
him In all his senses has been
lavishly provided. and he will find IN.
Brandeis truly the theater beautiful"
And the actor will think II heaven after
he has made a round OF the ordinary
theaters and then comes to the wonderfully
complete and perfectly appointed world be-
hind the curtain in the new Brandeis.
A mild. conservative richness OF beauty
pervades the interior OF the Brandeis
theater. There is charm in color and form
without extravaganza. 1t is rich, warm.
tangible. yet mellowed as the cleaning OF
autumnal colors OF the woodland glow
ing through the haze OF Indian summer.
In the wealth. OF line and tint that so
satisfies the eye a conservatism just short
OF p~urltanfc prevents the cloylng. over
whelming shower OF color that the first
glimpse suggests. A wonderous informing
lklR OF the best Attachments OF mural art
OF all time has been brought to bear in
the production OF the artistic interior OF
the new theater. Il Is as though the Jewels
OF conception had been fused I'm one alem-
bic TO produce the pigment with which
the playhouse has been painted.
The intricate tracing OF Gothic stone vine
leaves, thae Fioting radiance Of the early
Greek and unrestrained Egyptian. the