Year: 1877

building being also isolated, and tue two irst
tiers, the parqnette and family circle, having
openings on the right and ON the left, whilst the
main entrances are OF the most capacious dimer-
stone, aud there is besides wide entrance which
opens on Burgundy street, all of which are avail
able to the spectators In every part OF the audi
torium


The stage is amply provided with exits through
Customhouse street. In fact VIC doubt whether
there ia in the whole country theatre constructs
ed with more intelligent care for the safety Of it's
patrons and visitors than is the Varieties Tnes-
ire. whatever else may be said Of it's architectural
faults.


THE ACADEMY or MUSIC.


We regret that we cannot speak with as much
favor OF the Academy Of Music: ia fact that we
cannot speak OF il with any favor at all. The
theatre 10 nothing but = c,1 de sac. The audito-
rum is incased within four wallis with no possible
Issue except through the ST. Charles street one.
Egress from the stage is practicable only through
an alleyway. OF exiguous sizg. Except On the
third tier, there is not q window or opening of
any kind through which people can escape in
case of fire. The parquette and dress circle have
one common issue about seven feet wide, which
opens directly into the parquette aud which Ii
accessible from the dress circle by pair Of Stair
cases on each side, striking IL at right angles d
very dangerous disposition. This small opening
in case OF q crowded house would be the only
means OF egress for about eight hundred people,
not to speak OF two or three hundred more in the
galleries Communicating with the drees circle
by staircase), who might neverreach the street
through the narrow gallery stairway. We
60 not speak OF the small staircase leading from
the anteroom down to the vestibule,s for as it il
never used as an entrance, and IL gereraIly
barred do wn stairs during the performances. few
people ever think OF its existence, or of The po5-
slbiiity OF escaping by way of the verandah, no
more than they would at the Opera House or st.
Charles Theatre by the came way. The entrance OF
the Academy has been more than OF CO the subject
OF criticism and Once or twice the city authorities
have made semblsncs OF taking action TO rem
edy the evil, but the condition nevertheless con-
tuues the same. Unlike the st. Charles Theatre
and the Opera House, the interior Of the thestre
Is so cramped, every available space being taken
up by the seats, that should fire ever occur ut
the Academy OF Music the probabilities are that
the result will be tale of horror which will
throw into the shade the Brooklyn catastrophe.


THE GLOBE THEATRE,


by it's situation, having three sides OF The build
ing fronting ON sreett, is very safe, except in it's
upper tiers, which, like every other theatre Id
accessible by one staircase only. But for the
reason implied above, we would prefer that some
trance, which is provided with very dangerous,
break-neck sffsr, called o staircase, and which
sets at an angle approximating fifty degrees or
theresbent The means OF escape from the
will always rush from danger towards the point
at which they enter.


aRUFEwALD HALL.


The entrance is broad, and on the south side
the numerous sash doors would afford ample
means OF vacating the hall in case Of accident.
On the north side also there are many issues
which could be resorted to with safety.


ODD FELLOWS HALL,


situated at street corner and possessing two or
three staircases leading to the lower floor, and 10
the street by broad corridors, s very safe. The
numerous windows on Camp and Lafayette
streets offer excellent means of escape besides.
The situation and disposition OF


ST. PATRICK's HALL


is very similar, and as much may be said OF the


EXPOSITION HALL,


which opens besides on st. Charles and Caronde-
let streets.


Altogether, with the exceptions mentioned we
are far better off than many cities in 80 far as the
safety OF theatres and public halls are concerned,
but we hope that nothing will BE- left undons to
make this safety almost, if not entirely, perfect.