The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-11-13
THE new OPERA HOUSE

I'LL NEU VI Ina uUUOL
Mr.. Fredorovicz about two years ago
when he finished the Crystal Theatre,
promised the people of Hays that at
any time they showed by their patron
age that new playhouse was needed
in Hays, he would supply the need. He
has made good his promise and the
beautiful new opera house on the cor
ner of Fort and North Main Street is a
silent witness of a promise satisfactor-
lily fulfilled.
The new structure is 5Ox80 feet and
is model in every respect. Mr.. Ere
dorovicz has been on the job from the
time the first shovel of dirt was taken
from the basement till the last brick
was laid and the last nail was driven;
and as he employed only first-class
workmen, the work has been thorough
ly done. The building when entirely
completed, will cost in the neighbor-
hood of SIS, 900. The walls of the
building are constructed of hollow til
ing veneered with brick. Neither pains
nor money have been spared on the in
terror finishing. The walls are painted
an old rose color and the ceilings are
the balcony and-O over the front of the
stage are trimmed in gold, which when
lighted by the scores of fancy electric
lamps, will create a beautiful effect. A
reasonably large and well appointed
stage occupies the back part of the
building, while in the basement under
the stage can be found several dressing
rooms for the accommodation of the
theatre people. The stage also con-
tains other conveniencess such as a
is Heated by hot air plant of sufficient
capacity to insure warmth and comfort
for theatre goers. The auditorium and
balcony will seat 700 people-4OO down
stairs and 300 in the balcony-besides
standing room for perhaps a hundred
persons. The management have con-
sidered 'safety first" in the construc-
ton of the building, and two hydrants
with long hose attached have been in
stalled-one in front on the balcony
near the lamp house and the other on
the east side of the stage. Two men
will be kept constantly on duty so that
IN case of fire no time will be lost in
extinguishing it at once.
Perhaps the croWning feature of this
splendid playhouse and one that gives
much credit to the management in his
endeavor to please and entertain the
public, is the 81, 200 electric piano. 1t
is wonderful piece of mechanism. Be
sides the piano proper, there is com
plete orchestra including bass and snare
drum, cymbais, and other musical in
struments which are beyond our ''ken.
The stairways leading to the balcony
are carpeted as are also the aisles be-
tween the rows of seats. On entering
the theatre from North Main Street
you go up a short fight of concrete
steps that lead to the ticket booths
one on each side of the entrance-where
you viii meet a pleasant greeting from
the management and helpers, and pass
ing into the lobby your eyes will be
greeted by a panorama of beauty not
excelled by any opera house in the atatt
for the size of the city. The fixtures
including the stage scenery and chairs
cost in the neighborhood of s., ,0OO anC
are all of the best. The stage scenery
is especially elegant in every detail ant
the citizens of Hays can well be prouC
of this excellent new opera house.
The management has secured tn
Elizabeth Morrill, Stock Company o-
Kansas City, for the opening night
This company comes highly recommend
ed and are classed as all star players
They will play every night during tn,
entire week. We predict that standing
room will be at a premium on Monda,
night. And by the way, Mr.. Fredor
ovicz says that when the new oper;
house becomes too small to accommo
date the theatre goers of the city, h
| will build q LARGER and better one