Norwich bulletin., 1912-08-07

In preparation for 8 busy theatri- cal season, there are extensive changes and improvements going on In the two Norwich playhouses that open next Monday for the fall and winter. This is particularly true of the Da- wis theatre on Broadway. where the new owner, w. s. Davis of Pawtucket, R. l., is having a thorough overhaul ing carried through. At the Audito rum theatre on Water street, the own CT, James 5. Shannon, is also having the house put into excellent shape fol the comfort of his patrons.
 Many Changes in Davis Theater.
 From top to bottom the Davis the ater has been gone over by painters upholsters and electricians. and the playhouse when it Is thrown open to the public next week, will never have been In more sanitary condition or more attractive in furnishings and settings. AS an example of how Mir. Davis Is doing the work, every seat in the lower part of the house has been removed, the floor has been new ly painted and the old plush chairs will be replaced by leather upholster- ed seats from the American Seating company, which will be equally com fortable and far more sanitary than the old chairs. Another change that will make for convenience and safety will be the removal of the moving pie ture booth from the first floor to lo- cation in the rear of the first bal cony, thus doing away with noise and giving better protection. The moving picture booth is fiTeproof and every opening in it can be instantly closed in case of danger. A special moving picture lamp that is made according to MT. Davis directions will. it IS claimed, give 8 far superior light, do- ing away with a large part of the fiickering of a film, and a special screen will also add to the value of this part of the entertainment pro gramme.
 Back of the footlights every piece of stage scenery is being retouched by a force of painters under the di- rection of Henry Graibbert of Provi- dence, and he also is in charge of the work of redecorating the proscenium arch and of retouching the mural and ceiling decorations. A general color scheme of green and gold has been selected, making an attractive inte- rior Fifty sets of green plush drap- cries have been received for the boxes, for stage settings and for other fur 1 nishings.
 In the sub-cellar, preparations are being made to install an entirely new 1 heating plant by autumn, but the new ventilating system installed by $. C. PoH is in good condition. In this sub | cellar. at the rear of the theater. and | in the main cellar just above 1t, win dows have been put in for the first | time The three dressing rooms for the stars on the stage and the Il dressing rooms below stage for the l other members of a company are all | being put in first class shape by the | plasterers and painters. In the front | cellar a 10-horsepower motor connect l ed with a 5-kilowatt direct current | generator is being installed by the l Whitehall Electric company. This will supply the moving picture machine the direct current at 80 volts having l been found to give a much steadiel | picture than the alternating.
 The lights throughout the theatel are being put in shape by the Eator | Chase company, under the direction | of M. w. Weld, who Is giving specia attention to a -eneral renovation O.
 the switchboard. The present arrange ment of lights in the theater ii
 thought to be excellent by the new
 management.
 Mir. Davis is in town personally experimenting the arrangements fo
 the opening of this newest of hi
 chain of theaters, and Charles E. Pel ton, a man of much theatrical experi
 ence, is the house manager The oth
 CT members of the staff have not ye
 been definitely selected but Mrs 1 Moves will again be matron at tn
 theater this season. The ladies room
 has been handsomely furnished. Tn