The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-08-17
.SRU /: SHOWS 5 H ] ]
BOOKED FOR CITY
Blue Ridge Theater Now Be, Be
ing Remodeled for Road
Attractions

K - - - 4
With the work on the new
dressing rooms and heating sys-
TEN nearing completion at the
Blue Ridge Theater, Manager
William F. Carduh has started the
work of making over the stage SO
it will be possible to produce road
shows and high class vaudeville
acts on it when the theaterIopens
September N
twill be necessary to compl
ly rem odeI the stage in order that
the road shows booked for this
season can be properly handled.
The electrical apparatus is all
being changed, and the latest and
most up-to-date appliances are
being installed.
The footlights will be extended
SO as to take in the entire opening.
Two additional rows of footlightsi
are being set in for colored lights
to complete the color scheme.
Dinners and additional lighting
effects are being placed on the
stage, and when the work is COM
pleted the stage at the Blue Ridge
will be as completely equipped as
any large theater in West Vlr-
gina.
In addition to the changes on
the stage number OF minor chan
ges are being made in various
parts of the theater. The old
dressing rooms under the stage
have teen torn out, and one large
room made, which is to be used
for a property room. The ticket
box, which was formerly located
in the center of the entrance, has
been moved over to the right hand
side of the lobby. A new door is
being cut into the ladies' retiring
room direct from the main floor of
the theater and tie lobby door
will be closed.
Claude Davis. who has been
employed as stage carpenter, is
busily engaged placing new ropes
in the flies and looking after other
things which need some attention
before the big road shows can be
handled properly. John Jones.
who has been employed as house
electrician, has started the work
OF changing over the switchboard
and making the other changes in
the electrical equipment.
All the old seen cry at the ca
ter, with the exception of one set,
has been discarded, and N Brum-
age, a scenic artist Of Harrisburg.
is working on mum Der of new
sets, drops, wings and otherp pieces
for the house. This work is near
ing completion and will be moved
to this city just as soon as the
stage is ready#t to- be used
t Claude Robinson of C1arksburg,
one Of the new owners of the thea
ter, is one of the best known thea
trical men in West Virginia! hav-
ing come to that city direct from
New York, where he had been en-
gagged in the theatrical business
for number OF years.
He has signed a contract With
the Shuberts for all their attrac-
tions during the coming season
and as many of them as possible
will be played at the Blue Ridge.
So far about six or seven Of the
attractions have been dated for
this city, and Mr.. Robinson is
leaving this week for New York
to sign up a number of other at
fractions.
Only the headliners on the
Keith vaudeville circuit are book:
ed by Mr.. Robinson, who person.
ally knows about 80 per cent Of
the troupes on the circuit. The
same line of high class vaudeville
that has been shown in the Rob-
inson Grand Tneater at Clarks-
burg will 1be played here. The
shows will come to this city from
the Davis Theater in Pittsburgh
and Will go from here to Clarks-
burg.
A Paramount feature picture
will be shown along with the
vaudeville. Three performances
will be given daily, one in the
Haftern DON and two in the evening
The first attraction booked for the
theater is Coburn's Minstrel.
which will open the house Satur-
day, September g.. The vaudeville
and picture program will be start
ed the following Monday, Septem-
herd g.sS 5sl fu liz