Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1920-04-01
STAGE SETTINGS
FOR CHAUTAUQUA
NEW REDPATH.VAWTER TENTS
HAVE SPECIAL BACKGROUND
FOR EACH PROGRAM

The most elaborate and varied
stage settings ever seen on any
Chautauqua circuit are to be feat
ure of the new tents purchased for
| Chautauqua this summer. Such is
the announcement received this
week from the designers who are IN
charge of constructing the new
equipment for the Redpath Vawter
system. Larger and higher stage
ceiling, additional lighting facilities
and change of stage settings for
each day of the chautauquaare some
of the big things contained in the
new plans.
Ten years ago a chautauqua tent
was designed by Keith Vawter which
practically revolutionized the tent
construction of that day. This year
another triumph is considered chron-
icled in the advent of the 1920 can
vas auditorium" in which the stage
improvements are especially prom
inent. A hip roof arrangement
makes possible 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.
Some surprising revelations, 1t 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
background, but materials used for
the backgrounds are especially de-
signed for the Redpath Vawter sys-
tenn by special designers. Beauti-
full combinations in velvet, crepe,
cretonne and velour will be used.
For example, the great concert by
the Criterion Male Quartette of New
York City, will have an elaborate
background of rich, imperial velvet,
Just the tone of excellence needed to
set off properly Americas greatest
male quartette. This will be a mid
die stage background, while others,
such as the setting for the big pre-
mier Artists company musical
offering consisting of chorus and or
chestra-will be a full stage set.
parlor lamps and special furnishings
fitted to transform the platform into
a 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 arrange
ments in black and white, gorgeous
design panels, beautifully shaded
greys, blues, and dark greens will be
arranged in conformity with each
days program
In addition, to the customary row
Of head" lights strung in front of
the platform provision is being made
to add complete set of footlights
and set Of top lights. This will
make cheerier more effective stage
picture, and enable the facial ex-
preston Of the performers to be seen
more 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 platform
plankings. These are made up in
sections, and thus can be fitted to-
gether smoothly and easily, when
set up. -
The size Of the platform this year
will be 81 feet across and Is feet
deep$ All in all the new stage
plans couldn't look finer, and judg-
ing by reports reaching this office,
they will be just the right compIet-
ing touch for the best program our
chautauqua has ever had.