The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-21
ATKINSON GETS
LYRIC CONTRACT
Work on New Theatre at Broad
and Ninth Will Begin
This Week.
HOME OF BIG VAUDEVILLE
Keith Circuit Will Extend to
Richmond .Aitcr No
vember /.

Contract for tho erection of the
Lyric Theatre at Broad and Ninth
Streets Was awarded yesterday to j.
w. Atkinson n Co. who are to COM
pletc il by November /. Plans will
he filed within the next few days with
Inspector Beck. and in the meantime
the work Of raZinE the Park Hotel
and two adjoining buildings will be-
gin. The contract carries penalty
and bonus provision, but as the At
kinson firm built the Bijou and other
theatres Tor the Wells Company N
the South. it is familiar with all con-
struction details. which means that
the house will be ready to open the
season by the end of October.
The Lyric Will occupy rather
UNIQUE position in the theatrical life
Of the city. for |; will Put on big
time" vaudeville. the scat prices rang
ing from - cents down. 1t will be
a part of the Keith Circuit. 1t will
put on bigger attractions than the
Colonial and Empire. leaving the
Bijou for musical comedies and mclo-
dramas. while tho Academy will con-
tinuc along 10 the regular field. With
the Lyric in fun swing every line of
amusement will he afforded the peo-
pie Of Richmond.
Scntn for i.5.O Persons.
In the orches tra and balcony and
balcony annex there will be seats for
i52o persons. There will not be any
gallery. The idea OF high climbing
has been largely abandoned in
theatrical construction. and every
thing that is new will he included in
the general interior arrangements.
The Lyric will face on BROAD street,
but VIII not run flush with Nin,h
Street.
Ca either side of the main cntranc.
there will be two stores. but thl,
plan Will not dc;ract from the APP
pcarancc OF the house. Then on the
Ninth Street side. thcre will b,
seven small stores. extending from
Broad TO Capitol. to which street tho
theatre proper will eXtcrd. The Capt.
tol Street view will harmoni@e with
the general surroundings. and m a
way will bc almost as attractive as
the front. There is ample lobby space
Trick steel and reinforced concrete Will
bc the construction material, the en-
tire establishment to u. nreproof in
every detail. The interior decorations
Of the Empire. which were so freely
admircd. will h. eNcellcd in the Lyric
which gives some idea of the care to
bc taken by the builders.
Part of Keith Circuit.
The Lyric will be owned and oporat-
eli by the w. a NJ. Company. its cor
poration name. Jake " ellis is pres ident
Walter Vincent. co-prcsident. and otto
Wclla. secretary and treasurer. l.. +
Aibcc and W. Greanor Neal are thu
other members of the company.
Jake Wells said yesterday that every
effort would be made t. have the house
open by November / The Lyric will
be part of the regular Keith circuit
said Mr.. Wells, ana part of the sys-
ter which includes the Mary Anderson
Theatre. in Louisville; tic Forsyth. ir
Atlanta; the New Chase, in Washing
ton: the Colonial. in Norfolk; the
Lyric. In birmingham; III. Orpheum. IL
New Orleans; the Orptcum, II Mem
Ihis, and other theatres OF like stand
lug. Tho vaudeville houses now oper-
atine In Richmond have provided am
PIE amusement for tho price. but it is
cur desire To provide she best within
vaudeville reach. Conditions her,
have changed within the past few
Years. and ! am sure that the Lyric
viii make and hold place in populai
favor