The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-21

The Lyric theatre, at the corner of
Third avenue and Eighteenth street. is
rapidly nearing completion. Both the. Of
fee building and theatre will be ready
for occupancy about October IS.
The building has been constructed of
reinforced concrete and is thoroughly
modern throughout, every office. and store
being fitted up with all the modern con-
veniences and appliances. Special atten-
ton has been given to light and ventila-
ton and in this regard the building is
perfect.
The building is owned by Gen. Louis V.
Clark and is one of the most handsome
in the city. 1t is six stories high, fac
ing 100 feet on the avenue and 140 on
Eighteenth street. The outside is of dark
red brick with the Flemish bond and
with gray stone trimmings. On the ground
floor facing the avenue are the entrance
and lobby for the theatre and three hand
some stores The entrance will be near
the corner, which will be used for the
commodious theatre lobby. The rooms on
are for office purposes and are in every
way equal, both as to furnishing and
fixtures, to any in the city.
Convenience and Safety
The theatre takes up the greater part
of the building. 1t has been designed
Especially true is this in regard to safety
exits, of which there are 12 on the lower
floor and four each on the balconies. The
seating capacity of the theatre is nearly
20O0, yet so perfect is the arrangement
that-it can be emptied in three minutes.
This is no idle boast of the architect or
contractor, as the theatre is a duplicate
of the Lyric theatre in Richmond, Va.
where the actual test was made with a
crowded house.
The safety, doors are of the two half
variety and open outward. There are
more doors than walls on the lower floor,
which has q greater seating capacity than
both balconies combined, so the four exits
in the balconies are ample for the seat
ling capacity The stage opening is 40
feet long but the full length of the stage
is so feet and it is 80 feet deep. There
is ample room above the scenery for the
H6htS diiu stage ciicctS a III otiiSi cluip-
ment
Nothing could be more pleasing than
the interior arrangement Of the theatre
or the beauty of the decorations. A
feature that will be appreciated by all
theatregoers is the total absence Of any
pillars to support the balconies, as in
other playhouses The balconies are sup
ported by steel truss that reaches clear
across the theatre. like the spans Of a
steel bridge over river.
Every Seat Desirable
The floor is elevated from every point
and there will not be an undesirable seat
in the house. as everyone is in full view
of the stage. The balconies do not ex-
tend around the sides. as handsome tiers
of boxes meet the ends of the balconies
The entire ARRANGEMENT has been made
with the purpose Of every seat in the
house being good one and In full view
of the stage. q 4 h III
The decorations are exceedingly beauti-
full and while not yet finished. enough
has been done to give fair idea Of their
beauty and effect. The pastoral relief
work resembles old ivory and has an ivy
leaf pattern running through It, From
the ceiling hang several beautiful chan
deliers Of a quaint but exceedingly hand
some Elfsabethan design. The large panel
on the wallis represent old tapestry, the
ceiling. the balconies and the. small panel
are covered With = dainty n0ral design
thek Il aing eyly altT1e Il
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