South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-06-18
Opening of Palace Theater on Aug.
I9 to Mark Completion in City of
States Most Beautiful ShoWhouse
Beauty Spot North Michigan ST. Become More Beautiful
as Decorators Start Interior Work, Rushing to Com
pleton New Home Here for Orpheum Vaudeville

The Palace theater. South Bends
newest playhouse. will more than
adequately take care of the city'e
expansion I'm caring for the need OF
amusement. twenty-five years IN
advance Of it's time" is the verdict
of competent critics. Whether that
verdict be true or not rs left for time
to prove. but there Is no question
that the new theater Is a credit TO
the city. and would do credit 10 NeW
York. Chicago, Detroit or any or the
larger cities of the country.
At the present time its magnitude
and magnidcence ia concealed with
i'm an enormous framework Of stag
inz. The work, however, has ad-
vanced 10 such a stage that from be-
hind the mass of timbers there is
being gradually revealed those points
Of architectural design superiority
that will make the finished theater a
revelation. Within eight weeks the
theater is scheduled 10 have It's
opening performance. AS viewed
during the past week il seemed far
from within eight weeks OF compile
ton vet within that time the finish
ing touches In construction, with the
decoration OF the entire structure IS
expected TO be completed.
Three Stories High.
The magnificence Of the structure
viii be evidenced from the time the
patron enters the theater The lobby,
with the box office at the extreme
left. will run the entire length OF the
building, and the dome Of the ceiling
will be three stories above. The lobby
viii be in full view from the prone
made on the mezzanine floor and also
from the second balcony landing on
the mczzanine floor there viii be a
promenade extending on three sides
over the lobby. and the ladies' reur-
Ing room and gentlemen's smoking
room VIII De on this floor.
In designing the stairways 20 the
balcony. the architects have taken
due consideration OF the general
aversion the public has 70 climbing
stairs by designing a series OF wind
Ing stairs so that the patron always
has a full and cOlorful view OF the
entire lobby There Will be entrances
20 the balcony at three different
heights, thus enabling a quick
er seating OF patrons. and providing
for an easier and less crowded exit
after the performance
The total seating capacity OF the
theater Will be 2.458. The mezzanine
boxes Will seat about 100 and the
proscenium boxes wiz seat about so.
Entrance to the auditorium proper
VIII be by four aisles from the foyer.
enabling quick and orderly filing
and emptying OF the theater.
The stage Of the new theater is OF
such dimensions that 80 VIII be able
10 handle the biggest scenic produc-
tion In the theatrical world The
stage VIII be 90 arranged that four
men, under the direction OF the stage
electrician viii easily be able 70
handle the biggest production. Moth
ing that could be done 70 make the
structure as freproof as possible has
been overlooked. As an instance Of
the care taken in this regard. the
tons aue toms OF rope so common IN
theaters for Etage setting purposes
viii be entirely lacking. and in their
place steel ables VIII be used
Veil Ventilated.
For the purr ose Of ventilation the
mushroom system has been chosen.
By this system the foul air is with
drawn through outlets IN the door
Of the theater, and cooled. washed
air is forced in from above. The alr
IN the theater viii be completely
changed every three minutes under
this system. and Il Is 50 designed that
the temperature OF the theater can
be reduced IS degrees below the
temperature out OF doors. Is degrees
being the limit OF reduction approved
bv health authorities.
Though the most modern ideas N
theater construction have been In
corporated IN the new building. the
decora lions OF the interior will be
the outstanding feature By which Il
VIII be talked or by the average per
son. The colorings. paintings and
draperies VIII be OF the most gorge
Gus and elaborate kind. At present