Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-05-05
New Scenery ne
Fools the Eye.

NOT long ago, in one OF the hree eaues'
IN . restaurant was opened which at.
tracted much attention on account q tas
scenic effect which it presented Inoasn
~actnallv situated in the middle q .
block its interior appeared. as Viewed ~ its
natrons. to be a large rooted open space
surrounded by a high, garden van, ABOVE
which. g., between the ROOT and tne 'oP
Of the wall-there was nothing 70 = seA
but the distant sky
This pleasing illusion was produced Dy
the use Of a novel device called q .hos11ans
hish wall IA few. feet back Of the
terfeit garden WALL which curved inward
toward the top. This wall, 4 neutral cray
in. color. was painted sky-blue By tAu-
minuaating it with suitably tinted electric
lishts invisible to the people in TIE
restaurant.
It is IAN idea of French invention.
has heen adopted in the construction OF Z
large theatre now approaching compleslon
in New York. Replacing the o2d-fashioned
drop of blue cloth, which physoers are
accustomed to accept as representing sky. It
will give to outdoor scenes on that stage
a really wonderful verisimilitude, for the
electrician will be able to paint with light
upon the horizant whatever ehect he wishes,
whether of dawn, bright day or moonlight,
and, from the viewpoint of the audience, the
outlook will seem to be limitless in extent.
The typical modern theatre embodies and
preserves many conventions. ideas that
ought to have been done away with long
ago. One of these is represented BY the
stage boxes, seats in which, while always
the highest priced, are perhaps the least
desirable in the house. In the new play
house here described there are no snch boxes,
the space they would ordinarily occupy being
taken by two miniature stages. The actors,
in response to applause, can step out upon
these stages and bow, the time usually lost
in raising and lowering the curtain being
thus saved. The arrangement, furthermore,
is such that when needful, as in the case
Of a big spectacular production, the two
minor stages can. be utilized as extensions
of the main stage, rendering available Z
platform the entire width Of the building.
Su%pplementing this contrivapce is an or.
chestra pit, Of the usual crescent shape,
which is a hydraulic elevator. The mu-
sicians enter 1t at the basement level, and,
when it is time for them to begin to play,
they are lifted into the view OF the audi
encc. In the same way the whole apparatus,
together with its occupants, can be lowered
out of sight. If it be desired, the orchestra
pit can be elevated to a level with the
stage, serving as a forward extension Of the
latter.
The stage manager and electrician in the
new theatre will not be posted in the wings.
They will be at the front and center Of the
stage, though seated below it, with only
their heads protruding Through suitable
openings) above the stage level. Their heads
will not be visible to the audience, because
hidden by the footlight relectors. Thus
placed, they can observe the progress o.
the play to much better advantage.
Ingenious mechanical arrangements pro.
vide for the quick and easy lifting aloft Of;
large pieces Of scenery, by the help Of coun.
terbalanced cables, a few men on d plat.
form sixty five feet above the stage being
thus enabled, to do work which ordinarily
would call for d score or more of scene
Shutters. The CONFERENCE.-The used are
buckets of buckshot, which, at a moments
notice, can be made lighter or heavier as
may happen to be required.
Along the front Of the "horisaut',, wall
at, the rear Of the stage runs a trench six
feet deep, which, being below thu. stage
level, enables stagehands' or actors to walk
from one side Of the stage to the;other. With
out being seen, BY the audience. Another
novel device takes fireplace Of the pesephoplc.
in the curtain, which was old in shake
speare's day. II; is an optical INSTRUMENT
with a Aliens, which gives q view Of the. en
tire audience. IA
The theatre described has no. star dressing
rooms on the stage floor, the space they
would ordinarily occupy being used for !
green room" which, being spacious! and
3luxuriously furnished, VIII AFFORD 4 piea..
ant %lounging and meeting place for aetors.
There are, in fact, no dressing rooms ~
aside for stars. All Of them are On sthe
second floor and Just, alike, andStheair occu-
pants will enjoy the. same connveniienicesa ia
service that they would lind ii I frst- claal
hotel including shower baths, /.
Randife