The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1912-07-27

In the following letter written to a
friend in Chlckasha, Miss Olive Nc,
Clintic most beautifully and impress
siyely describes the Greek theater, To-
Gated In Berkeley, Cal, and the rare
pleasure which she experienced there.
This Greek theater is famous the
country over, and is the joy and pride
of all Californians. Miss McCllntics
letter win be read with keen interest
and enjoyment by people who have
not visited this wonderful temple Of
music, as well as those who have seen
and enjoyed for themselves.
At the Greek Theater.
when music, heavenly maidl was
young.
While yet in Early Greece she sung,
The Passions Oft to hear her spell
Thronged rapt around her magic
cell"
It is Sunday evening in Berkeley. We
have just had a most unique expert
enee An Hour OF Music in the Greek
Theater," was the announcement. but
We were totally unprepared for the
enthusiastic crowds which thronged
rapt to hear and the colossal and
classic beauty of the setting.
This Greek theater is marvelously
interesting to the visitor Imagine a
structure embodying, as it does, all OF
the classic essentials OF the old Attic
theaters, located on the slope of a
hill with its auditorium scooped out
of the hillside and. true to the orig.
inal Greek meaning Of the word, "a
place for seeing" The seats for the
audience are arranged in concentrie
tiers, rising like steps one above the
other resting on the cavity excavated
in the hillside. About half way up tho
slope is an encireling passage, and
then additional rows Of seats which, IN
classic days, we're set apart for the
women, and nowadays would be term
ed the peanut gallery AT the highest
level behind the top row Of seats runs
colonade from which float various
tri-color pennants in a combination OF
true Oriental color and real college
style. The seating capacity is i0,0V0
and every seat is a good one. The
theater is uncovered and all the bust
ness Of the stage is performed in the
open air.
The Greek theater is Of semi-circu
lar form on one side and square on
the other. It is constructed entirely
of concrete. The space within tbs
semi-circle is allotted to the specta
tors. The square part in front con
tains the stage running along rs ful
length, and IN the interval between i,
the orchestra At the back Of thu
stage is a lofty wall which reaches t,
the level of the colonnade behind thi
highest row Of seats This wall which
in reality. is sounding board tina
/ gives the Greek theater its marvellous
acoustic properties, also forms back
ground of singular beauty It IS det
Grated with columns and entablaturei
forming an architectural facade whlel
represents a palace or temple beforl
which the action Of the scene take
place. On either SIDE Of the stage ar
i entrances hung with rich orienta
draperies. and in the center is a boil
marble tablet with the Inscription
THE Greek Thaater, Gift Of William
Randolph Hearst"
However. this superb structure doe
not owe it's charm solely to the fac
of its being an exact reproduction 3
he theaters OF the ancients The rar
and significant beauty of its surround
ings must be taken into account b
one attempting an appreciation Of th
8 Greek theater
4 In the first place. Berkeley is tn
most charming Of coast cities.a modef