The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1920-04-07
Stage SETTINGS
f0RCHAUTAUQUA
New Redpath- -Vawter Tens Have Spe.
cial Elaborate Background for
Each Days Program
NEW SPECIAL RICH DRAPERIEs
Many New Lights Placed on Platform
FOOtlights Added and Size Of
Platform Enlarged

The most elaborate and varied stage
settings ever. seen on any chautauqua
circuit are to be a feature of the new
tents purchased for chautauqua this
year. Such is the announcement re-
ceiyed this week from the designers in
charge of constructing the new equip
ment for the Redpath Vawter system.
Larger and higher stage ceiling, addi-
tional lighting facilities and a change of
stage settings for each day Of the chau
taqua, are some of the big things con.
tained in the new plans.
Ten years ago chautauqua tent
was designed by Keith Vawter which
practically revolutionized the tent con-
struction of that day. This year an.
other triumps is considered .chrOnicled
in the advent of the 1920 canvas audi
toriums," in which the stage improve.
ments are especially prominent. "A hip
roof arrangement makes possible a high
ceiling both front stage and back stage.
The curtains therefore can be as high
as 10 feet in front and rear. There
will be also a drop curtain to be raised
and lowered at the beginning and close
Of every program. i
Some surprising revelations, it is
said, will be in store for chautauqua
fans in the stage settings. Not only
will each program for the week have
an entirely different and suitable back
ground, but materials used for the
backgrounds are especially designed for
the Redpath Vawteri system by special
designers. Beautiful combinations in
velvet, rep, crepe, cretonne and velour
will be used. For example, the great
concert by the Criterion male quartet
of New York City will have an elabor
ate background of rich, imperial velvet,
Just like the tone of excellence needed
to set off properly Americans greatest
male quartet. This will be middle
stage background, while others, such
as the setting for big Premier Artists
company, a musical Offering consisting
of chorus and orchestra, will be full
stage set. Parlor lamps and special
furnishings fitted to transform the plat
form into spacious singing parlor will
be the scheme for this day. The large.
comedy production, Nothing But the
Truth of course, will have special
scenic effects. And so with the others,
novel and artistic arrangements in
black and white, gorgeous design pan
els, beautifully shaded grays, blues and
dark greens will be arranged in con-
fOfmity with each days program III
In, addition to the customary row of
"head" lights strung in front of the
platform. provision is being made to
add complete set of fOOtlightsaand a
set of top lights. This win make a
cheerier.a more reflective stage picture.
and enable the facial expression of the
Performers to b sen NOR clearly. The
platform material itself will be all new.
For Several weeks the big plant Of the
Redpath Vawter company has been
agog with the construction of the plat
form planinks. These are made up in
sections and thus can be fitted togeth-
Jer smoothly and easily, when set up.
II The size of tile platform this year
;wtll be q feet across and 16 feet deep.
SsAll in all the new stage plans couldn't
I look finer. and judging by, reports
reaching this office. they will be just
the right completing touch for the best
program our chautauqua has ever had.
Dates for Denison chautauqua are
July 18th to gath, inclusive.