New Britain Herald Newspaper, November 10, 1926, Page 13

rd Second Section (Continued from First Page) tul movie house, has been phrased the pearl of New England picture houses. The Strand is the glittering diamond of vaudeville theaters set in the midst of this hustling, bust- ling modern American city—the Hardware Center of the World. Is Beautiful Light Swinging down Main street the eye is instantly attracted by the bril- liantly illuminated marque. The| outer lobby, distinctive and rich in | pearance, leads into a main lobby | which really is a revelation. Ameri- | ca has few of the beautiful old palatial homes by which Europeans may compare things beautiful but the American people are familiar with gorgeous interiors seen in the silent drama backgrounds and this main lobby can best be described by | heing compared to one of the most lavish interior scenes ever flimed. Lobby is a Revelation ‘Wide and spacious, brilliantly lighted by glistening chandeliers and wonderful ornamented brackets, with shining marble walls and over “DAN” FINN all a' most artistically decorated jome and ceiling, the lobby center enterg directly into the main audi- torfum while on elther side sweep | upwards two flights of talian sculpture marble stair- | ding to a marble railed promenade behind which are the 1ed lights of the rich and lux- | Where people will ultimately be ted mezzanine. | lo piace breathes “atmos- | mply stepping into the, Ith and sets at| bts as to the fabulous sums spent in its construction. The | peer of any theater in the country its beauty of design and artistry, million dollar Strand, a dream a | r ago. today is a reality, a thea- of which any city in the world | =ht be proud, and an asset to any ymmunity. Mosiac Extends to Curb { The outside lobby and main lobby | of the theater are exceptionally well appointed. tending from the buflding. overhanging the walk and reaching to the curb, is a giant . easily one of the largest in | Chis 4 feet by 20 feet marque is lighted by about 2,500} lizhts of 10 to 40-watt power and lobby visu all do t rest | desce torfum or, ascending one of two| beautiful marble staircases to the promenade and mezzanine, enter the loges, balcony or real balcony. Entering the big auditorium, one is impressed not only by a sense of massiveness, but also by the har- monlous beauty of design, decora- tion and appointment. To the left of the entrance, in a handsomely decorated niche, is a bubbler drink. ing fount. A marble topped balus- trade is behind the last Tow of seats and three aisles lead to the chaire. | From the ramp in the rear of the| main floor one may look upwards, through the mezzanine floor well to the charmingly lighted and decorated mezzanine ceiling, glimpsing the mural wall paintings or, looking to- ward the stage, glimpse attractively designed ceiling lights under the bal- cony, get a view of the luxurious| silk lined walls with the wall lights and, far down in front, the massive stage with the orchestra pit in front. The walls of the auditorium are of unique and delightful decorative design. The wall tapestries are old rose silk while the walls themselves are decorated in tints of old gold, old ivory and a suggestion of pale green. Vision Range is Perfect The seats are comfortable and roomy while from any part of the main floor the stage is perfectly vi ible, even from the extreme side seats. In designing this theater the architects laid out 2,200 individunal “eye lines.” 'That is, from 2,200 dif- ferent places about the auditorium eat- ed, lines converging on the stage were drawn. From these lines was developed the pitch of the floor. The pitch In the Strand is slightly great- er than in the older architects having developed a more accurate curvature in recent years. So dellcate a task is the plotting of |the pitch that a survey of the floor- Ing, before the seats were in place, showed that there is hardly an inch of space on the same level, The whole floor 1s like a huge saucer, with the dips and pitches to permi perfect vision from every place and all angles. Sound-Proof Flooring The flooring all over the house also is something new and distinct. A composition under the carpeting, | known as mastic, is laid and not only does this have the auality of retalning warmth in cold weather, but also it makes the honse entirely sound-proof Insofar as footsteps or other moving about 1s concerned. The laying of mastlc jtself is no easy task and six days are required to It and have it set satlefactoril View From the Balcony The vlew from and on entering the balcony is also mishtily attrac- ive, through a spacious aisle- ay on an easy incline, one arrives at a point | Just | about midway of the balcony. below are the loges and jnst above are the baleony chairs. The ap-| rearance of the honse fs gorgeans. | High overhead is the sreat vaulted | dome suspended from the center of which {s the mammoth crystal chandelier containing 2,400 incan- lights and w tons. This chandelier is even larger | than the one at the Capitol and it was purchased from the Biack and Royd company at a price of $3.500 An idea of its size may be obtained when 1t 1s explained that hot- | tom to top it measures 22 f Tt from artistic | playhouses, | Entering from the mezzanine | NEW BRITAIN HERALD [~=--#] NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1926. Opening of Strand Is to Be a Gala Theatrical Event | more than that. The entire floor cf“ | the house is covered with heavy car- | | peting of an old rose tint with a graceful leat-like design, The afore- {mentioned wall coverlng of silk | | velour was made by the Cheney | Brothers’ mills in South Manchester | and this covering alone cost $6,000. ! | Stage Curtain Cost $8,000 | | The main curtain on the stage, of | | heavy Cheney silk damask, cost $8,- 000 in itself. The box draperies too, are of Cheney silk velour. The 1 emselves are decora- [tive. The wall lights, shielded with delicately tinted shades, are of orna- | | mental design and some of these fix- | tures e four months In the making from the time the order was ent in, House lights equipped for | giving almost, any desired lighting effect for acts or ‘pictures, are’ of blue, white and red in all combina- tions. The electrical wirlng was done by !the Edwards Electric company | ich specializes in theater work and the fixtures were furnished by Black and Boyd of New York, thea- ter fixture specialists. The wiring of the house i3 of course inticate but withal simply and easily controlled, there being several sets of switch- boards all of which can be controlled from a master switchboard in the basement. There is a board to cen- trol the working lights in the house.v Another controis the main stage lights while yet another operates the | front lighting system. I Beautiful Mezzanine Floor | the me: nine of the Strand | beautiful that | lequate, but that is| t the same. The mez- | f the Capitol is regarded as | the best hereabouts, but that | s new playhouse Is easily one | most attractive in the entire | ring after ascending | e and stepping romenade balcony, one | into a spacious and comfort- ably lighted room. Running the en- tire breadth of the back of the| as house, furnished with rich furnish- | ings of the English influence to har- | monize with the Adam design of the | | theater, lighted by a row of attrac- | [tive wall brackets and above by a |series of so-called “cove lights,” the |effect is marvelous. The walls are tinted in old gold and ivory while| ed, of ornamental hout the semblance | barrenness since | everywhere novation in thea- ter equipmont. The lighting of the stage ehould be exceptionally bril- liant since it has 1,000 lights averag- ing 60 watts each, giving an fllum- ination of about 60,000 watts. TIn- cidentally there are approximately 6,000 lights in the entire theate There will %e close to 100 att of the house and care has bec ercised in sclceting the personn The ushers alona were chosen after personal consultztion with about 200 pplicants. The ushers’ uniforms ai of the formal Tuxedo cuf, made of a dark suiting with tapestry vests and standing colors and a simil Nl designed 'apel. There will be three N S ¢ R | coshi in ticket booth when | % ! § | necessary and there wille be 11 musicians in the orchestra as well |as an organist. | The Strand grand orchestra wi |under the dircetion of Hons Wi |of New York, an experienced violin {player and orchestra leader. The |orchestra plano is a Steinway Super |Grand while that on the st |the same as used in |theaters, a Sohmer Grand. gan I8 an Austin Grand o n with sots of pipes, the longest of |which ts 18 fect. The instrument | contains 1.800 pipes in all and it |has a three manual console. On either side of the stage Is an {electric si board of special de: n {to be used in announci something of an of orative designs evident, ore it approaches the eide are little coves of a semi- circular, parabolic design with hid- are walls, | be the 1 T the names has 340 letters. Tt is the only |is ralsed into position. and lowered marque in New England in which |when neceseary, by a wihoh ihe ornamental plaster of the in-|automatically controlled. tarior lobby extends over the walk.| OId gold. and a very pretty hue it Just back from the sidewalk is|ls. Is the backeround of the great | the cashier's booth. This has a solid |dome. with intricate and artistic de- | bronze dome and the structure 18 |signs in old fvory, faintly traced sil- huge PETER PERAKOS |of the various acts. T |similar signs. all acts will |fashed simultancously. Tn names of the acts on a |device so that as it revolves Imames of the current act alone | visible to the audience. not he cad. the are roller the is jocorated in black and old gold. | Ttoom for thrae cashiers is provided. | Solid bronze doors, very costly, are | ot the Main street entrance. The| flooring of the outer lobby Is of | mosiac in design with huge | hter colored squares. This is exceptionally distinctive and, it might be explained, only one other theater in the entire country the Strand has this mosaic 20 flooring extending away out | {0 the curbing and thus forming a 't of the public sidewalk. | Ten spacious mirrors decorate Ather side of the outer lobby, with o1 eold panelling in between. Advancing toward the main lobby the ene hecomes increasingly | heautiful. The outer lobby opens | into the broad main lobby of spaci- | ous prapertions, the side walls heing in 1t rosetta marble, | surmounted with the old gold panel- inz rising to the Adam decorated | ling with pretty dome effect sam which s suspended a ehandelier of unusual attractiveness. | s same richness of decoration 1s | throughont the lobby. side wall light fix ach costing $400, Leirz intsalled. | Ristng majestically from the lobby to the pramenade and mezzanine are two stalrcases of white Ttalian sta- tuary marble, with a paneling of Lavanto purple Ttalian marble. The promenade ftself is a marble foored baleony over the main lobby, ding toward the street entrans 1t has a marble balustrade and leads tly into the mezzanine. ing on the promenade and downward and outward one eofs what perhaps 1= the most beau- | tiful view in this entire milllon dol- | Rrilliant lights above, | helow and on elther side, the artls- | tic ehand Aecorated celling and wall brackets | no lezs beantiful, all form a fitting | 1 for the view of the main ing mirrors reflecting terazzo. hlack and panaled lar theater, hackgron lobhy. Tl the loveliness of the interlor. wall {booth fire-proof, but It Is perfoctly |atnted that It mansuras 2072 foat in paneling of brilliant marble and| decorations of artistic worth make | this sight one not to he easily for- gotten The Main Auditorium Trom the lobby one | there ver and delicate greens emblazoned thereon. Snurrounding the dome, on the main cefling of the same Adam d out with oxcellent effect Looking to the front of the hor the view posaihly Is even more pressive than that from downstairs since the massiveness of the pl easler to see. Great Proscenfam Arch Looking directly in front is great proscenium arch with spread of 38 feet and its oper 36 feet. The sama tintin characterizes the whole e honse n scheme is car § m- it that terior is | carried out in this arch and the old gold grillwork, behind which are t organ pipes and sounding board well as a part of the venti tem, but add to the effect. uin the combination of the old rose silk wall fittings are clearly brought out. As the sides of the prosc ch widen out to the main side walls of the theater the plain by a box on eitt boxes. backed b curtains of Cheney silk velour, slightly above the moain auditorium level and a bit below the level of the balcony and loges. here are approximate ats and about 700 balcony rear balcony seats. The pitch of balcony is said to be as near perfe as mechanies can” make it and no position from whic stage is not visable, while away back at the rear Is an open pass More decorative grills, ho inm are o 200 1o thlating apparatus, is at the top of |. | the baleony. Something New In Booths The motfon picture booth is con- spicuous by its absence. Only s nificant windows and slots In the rear balcony wall indicate that there “ler suspended from the |is a machine booth anywhere, for (s this room is not in the balcony, but | located apart from it and behind ft. | The latest type Simplex projectors are to be used. ot only is the ventilated, has a separate wash room and lavatory as well as a smoking and lounging room and = library for films and trade papers. The decorations of the house, that may enter is the tinting and color designs have foflot facilities hut alen has an in- elther the maln downstalrs audl- been mentioned, but there is much|dividual shower bath, which 1s canntee | 1s Fire-Proof Throuzhout | This theater is entirely oroof construction but it cautpped throughout with the | matic sprinkler system and an O Dl s e Moo S e fling surrounds the well. ‘ThiS|conv and five from fhe m mezzanine well 1s a baleony-like | torjum, not including the rezular opening looking down fnto the rear | ovits These were approved by the of the main anditorfum and on the | qinte’ nolice in the working pla vall s a mural decoration | fore the building was started anything artistic 1 this | * Tha heating system fs of the very latest. Tt is cchus | heating system. = ihe entire den lig inches. hts situa every elgh - fire- These clently s Thick, oorin also luxurious carpets cover > s e opposite t equs on of tha conntrv, The Feast of T Tt Is a v breadth of the t) e P the so-called tndirect By this it is meant Huge blow m 20 fe mural, that the alr is heated thrown into the house. ers suck in fresh above th ground. his is to have it free from dust. Tt is drawn down {into the heating room e it is warmed against heating pipes, and then is sent back into the house. Manual control oil burners furnish |the heat. The heating plant itse {is an integral part of the theater, vet is absolutely removed from it. Located in the basement, on the Chestnut street side, the hoiler and | heating equipment is in that section |of the building not under the stage. It s enclosed in a heavy fire-proof, |cement vaulted chamber and s en- tirely isolated from the main bulld- ing in every wa The ventilating system Is the same as that at the Capitol except that it 1s larger and heavier. Known as |the typhon cooling and ventilating | plan. this equipment is capable of | changing the entire alr contents of |the theater In two minutes were it | |worked at full capacity. Two !L‘-fnoti havine | fans are located over the proscenfum | Aistinet sten |arch. Two six-foot fans are located |ncar the picture booth and others| asnecially [are advantageously placed about the house, No Lost Steps in Entering With a view toward making en-| [trance easy for the public. the archi- | tects In designing the Strand took | | speclal pains with the balcony en-| trance and so cleverly was the idea | worked out that just 19 steps take | a person from the street level to the | balcony level. Those 19 steps m-[ the ones leading up the lobb: case. Once at the top however, a| person may cross directly from the | promenade, through the messanine and thence up the slightly inclined cohns, memhs w fAitn BfcHHh lsine fn mural ottl snfer in Brodk: Aark Strand n as well as Tecorated pater Guild A Ahora, e from either end inta the haleony. | nine i 1o alsles lead ¢ the mezzanine \len Yeading from the m AT comfartahly 's smoking <o 1 and aleo a man and lonneine room. Th rooms Yieate simiae ranme downstairs fo a0 Inmavafion here in # offars a room for fonnming And men's Youneine o room o Bt AR " slnee et nornases, Tending . from raame nva fha waeh rooms and Another which has Ta for emel ra de nat this olte a = hy the ~and e e a< heon ealt Strand An nlnee, takes a 1 in ecatering to the comfarts Af fts matrane and mare the emaking ranm 1« comfort shlv firnished with and chaire Stare Wae That the stase will ha ahle ta an ndeville act in the i= mele Snaee Aammadata anv v Is sty sean when it slze and the rizging. for the files, cconory and other equipment. has & tafal of 20,000 foat of rope. Thare are 1K Arossing rooms for parfarm. ere and ench room nat only has air- | plane bal- be To: he loges or into Torn Co.s 381st Theater arc! tural firm that ter is C. ew York, one of the of this kind in the entally timers may t was the original mem- the father of ned do- recall t ber of t the pres and who s bu m thea time the firm and Smith, a of ened and the a House in otion ", B. Horn < all over Sons have built th he Norh om ada from to Santa New York to have 350 in various and the offort in their continent Nomingo an Seattle. They already thaaters to their cre of this Is the St hemisphere Strand on of 1 Miester, 1. 1s th wral e a8yt Fhs nons and it Is he who is the ¢ HoTman Conceived Plan Tndonbtedly it is to 1.7 and a A native of Now Tuate of he carly in 1 to busi as it tention training or s ry vea was a tari The timid W suc- a few has. of the ahead & g were su freamed it wo Mr. Hoffman shted ones wi decade and more. first vent if one v nan's car fer”. Tt wa t built on the foundation of ead. to the little city of Ansonia and there, to the amazement of all, eded to build a theater for movies with a s g capacity of 2,000, The idea a 2.000-seat But o ght be said was amatize it was of BERNARD HOFFMAN | theater 1n a 1ittle 15,000 population | Hoffman was laughed at by his rivals and warned by his friends. |The 1dea was absurd! The man was |crazy! But young Hoffman looked {ahead. He figured that if he built ‘n new and modern house, made it attractive—more attractive than his competitors’ and then gave the best pictures and shows he not only | would get the patronage of the city | but also would draw from surround- |ing towns and villages and even |from New Haven itself. How well he figured now Is history. The house was a success. | But Hoffman was not |T.ike Alexander, he wanted w worlds to conquer so he turned wist- | tu1 eyes toward Hariford. He ac- |auired the Princess theater and |made a snccess of it and then he | made his master stroke and acquired Ithe 011 opera house which was the |site of the present MHartford Strand. His effort there is an epic of hard | work pushing. Tn five weeks' |time he had entirely remodelled that 0ld shell of a theater intn the mod- |ern Fartford Strand which. untll the [huilding of the nationally known | Metronalitan tn Roston. stood out as |the finest motion plcture house in neland., then on he increased his <. built new theaters here and nd bonght old ones as well until today he has a chaln of 1§ theaters all over state. Mr. | HMoffman is associnted with the Con- |taras Brothers and Perakos in the | New Palace, the Capitol land the among his others are Strand and | o Strand in 2t and Capitol in Derby, satisfied. and | From | hota | there in Ansonia, t {the Gem in Wil and Cirele in South Alhambra and rington An idea of how Mr. Hoffman viewed in the movie world may leamed from the following edi | puhlished #n the November |of “The Film Reporter.” | A Tribute to Square Dealing | *1t there are an Doubtful Thor who are adverse to be- lieving that honesty and square deal- ing does not at all times pay, allow us to direct your attention to the progrees and suacess attained by T. J. Hoffman, under such a banner and policy of doing b ter readin brief history we feel con- fident that those who know him will ike him that much more; while those who have never dealt with him or met him will, by sheer ad- miration know him and like him! Manche | the Palace 1ses iness. the Amerfean | JOHN CONTARAS notive in wri ly one of a hining examp! ng this article is re to point to of success borne lealing and hard work! We chould feel deeply hurt were our words misconstrued to sound like a iry thought! We prefer say. ing good things to heroes while they live! Epitaphs on tombstones He ventured info the bhusiness some 14 years ago, when he opened the Pastime theater at An- sonia. Conn.. an npstairs honse seat ahont 3 With constant plug- 2ing and honest handling of his pa- trons he soon made this small h vield a profit h Urged to ¢ groater plannad the ut of clea mere! cold! pictire ise fac vear. s things ilding feh now stands in that town . the Capi tol e over- rated the town at the outset and his mesture In giving to Aneania the de- he Aid. almost cansed his With a steady. indomitahla will to overcome all for- he theater. somewhat I1uxe house which 1ownfall hidding ohataclee to his snecess nained tha whalshearted support of the peonle of that lorality, | Canitol flourishad! From | his mareh of progress s an hook. connected film hustness for anv knows that he respect and admiration of e with wham he came fn contact Hoffman's poliev has alwave he ona of “llva and 1t 1lve” and snch a personality as {s his, linked with |&uch a sqnara dsal viewpoint econld not heln hut endaar him to all. Most anccessful men have a certain nnm- her of enemiss! This ig Invariahlv |the eaxe! Tut in the case of T. T Foffman. nnlecs wa are ereatly mis- taken. we are cortain he has naught but stannch friends. “Thie antburet of eulogetie thusiasm {« perhane aceasinned hy the opening of his greatest mile- the new Conn. then on onen Evervona with Teeras of tHime galned the rvone A stendily an- stone of achlevements Strand at New Rritain, Touched with the wand of magic which he 80 unassumingly wields this new housa will radiate his per- sonality! His leadership win forth- with urge this new ventures to miti- mate success! That. we are as- sured! His uncanny mastery of showmanship will by Its own merit |bring forth that type of entertain- | eftective. 4 patron of the teacher ment of quality and eclection for | purchases his ticket and if his car is which he is already noted. We can not parked in some convenient place hear the voices of the entire per-|he simply advises the cashier that ha nel of the tilm trade of Connectl- | wants to park his car. The cashicr ut reverberatjfg against the walls tben provides him with a receipt time, in upahimous acclamation |slip with his ticket and this receipt, tor his continued success! Again we |handed to the attendant at the repeat that our purpose is far from | parking grounds. entities hin 1o 4 mercenary one! We feel proud to | free space. The hard and fast rule be able to print such a testimonial | will be “no receipt. no parking.” as this to Mr. Hoffman and we will| Also, a patron may drive into the likewise from time to time print parking place where the attendant suitable attests to the praise of other | will give him a ticket. On present- arose deserving personalities within our | Ing this ticket when he purchases his midst! We hope, Mr. Hoffman, that admission ticket, the cashier will from the very opening hour on |Stamp it receipted. Presentation of Armistic your theater will re- | this receipt will rele#se the car flect all that is pleasant to you and | from the parking place. your associates! May nothing ever f i g T e HECTATEANER But Mr. Hoffman is not ths only ! man identified with the movie in- | lustry in this city whose career has| been marked by hard work cul- | minating in success. Such are the So R Contaros Brothers and Perakos. | ST . i Hons Wagner, Violinist, Wil Be now is a director of the City Na- | tional bank, came to this country | 00 duct tst d from his native land of Greece in| H “G Ora mn 1907 with no more financial means | than the average immigrant, He| The Strand management in selec« came to New Britain and with his| {08 Hans Wagner as director of brothers, Michael and Charles, | it3 orchestra brings to New Britain in 1909, T prospered and be- that will give to its theater goers & came firmly established Lus!nwsa‘;’;:Pdm:;e;z:;‘cb;};;!e tz’:y‘;g;”;‘f men. s b3 In 1308 Peter Perakos went into |l oot es O ii5 lze 10 any of the partnership with George Halliby {n | T8¢ metropolitan citlels. e Scenic theater. This also| ished and in 1917, John Con-| e Scenic. 1In 1919 the business in- | terests of the city were startled when it was announced that the Contaros Brothers and Perakos had purchased | | Keeney's theater from the late P, S. | McMahon and were to change the name to the Palace. In 1921 this r and building on West Main et and this year they all joined crger with Mr, Hoitman, cr @& disastrous fire gut- Lalace, but from 1ts ruins anotl aud more attractive playhouse, rushed to completion by | rolicy of tne Strand | The poulicy vt the Strand 1s to be SIX uCis ol che best vaudeville ob- lalnubie, togelier with woe nighest Gpe of plhulodramas. lneidentaty, we Ld Wil oe the only house 1n “\u Cily slowilg vaudevilie and the WU ually. For vvery eveniug p lormau there will be a certain | Lloek o seals tor which reserved |Soat tckels muy be purchased, bulestiplighed an enviable reputation | maonty of tue house Will be|gor himself as a musiclan and or- rush. Not only will the Suald|chestrial director In various large | fedlure its vaudeville and pictures, | His instrument is the violin occur that might tend to halt your FROM NEW YORK John Contaros who, incidentally cpened a candy store on Main stret | the type of orchestral conductor ros bought out Halliby's interest in me firm purchased the Fox thea- (ne energy of the proprietors. | prostams wil begia st 2:80 and | but it also wil specialize 1n Kty HONS WAGNER Wagner comes here after having co | 18 and from all accounts New Britain | tmusical program auu the Strand | will soon be talking of this young srand orchiestry plans to furnish a | man’s talents. As a violin virtuoso, | special musicul Lreal at every ber- | Wagner attracted considerable at- formance, widle,tue organ interludes | tention as a youngster when he was Wil be ot the fuest, Special eftects, | sent an a tour of the concert stage |voth musical and in the way otas a boy prodigy on the violin. After |special lighting, are possible ror|a period on the congert stage, every feaiure act and picture and | vaudeville won him over where he |the stage equipment is so complete | appeared as a violinist in a noted | that there 1s not an uct in vaudeville | musical act. Glving up the vaude« |today that cannot be piayed here, |ville stage after his marriage, Wag- Lhere has been some wonderment |Ter established himself as a theater | expressed s to just how this thea- | OTchestra leader and violinist in | ter is situated. IU's very simple. The | New York city and he has since [plot of land upon which it 1s buit|made this his life work. |faces on Maln street and then, in the| The Strand orchestra will be |rear and behind all the other Main |Made up of ten musiclans. The ut- |street frouting properties as far as Chestnut street, it extends to the |last named street, adjacent to the | Connecticut company property. The | Main street entrance building of the theater is devoted to lobby space on |the first floor and offices above. En- most care was taken by the manage= | ment to select the very finest mus< !lcal talent available in organizing its orchestra. Wagner has been in |New Britain durlng the past few | days rehearsing his musicians and | is elated over the results he has ob« ained thus far. are | and the | l’mm‘e from Main street brings on | Wagner possesses that rare qualie directly into the rear of the theater | gication for the combination vaudes where a turn to the right puts one | ville and photoplay director. His in pesition facing the stage. In other | knowledge of accompanying vaudes words the seating arrangement of | yille acts which is an important face the auditorium is north and south, |tor in serving to theater patrons while the entrance is from west to | yvaudeville under the best conditions, t. The stage is backed on| iy great. He is one of the few men nut street. | who can direct, for instance, a dif~ Daniel Manager ficult dancing turn, without a re= The hous is directly | hearsal when circumstances necese under the supervision of Daniel Finn | sitate it. In addition to his quall< who has been assoclated with the | fications as a vaudeville leader, he Hoftman Enterprises for some time |is the thorough musician required and'who is thoroughly familiar with |in the proper accompanying of the the high standards demanded. Mr. | photoplay. Finn, who has been in the city for veral weeks familiarizing himselt| Prominent People Will ocal conditions, has had wide | \ttend Opening Showing ° in the theatrical business both in New*Rgik and also in Bos-| Interest in the new Strand Thea- ’ ter is not confined to local circles ton. More régefitly he was manager : o “‘\nm‘f: theates 1a e H’:ub but has attracted attention in many He has surrounded himselt | Parts of New England. Many prom- inent persons, men and women in Vo B i theatrical industry, will b New Britain what it has al- SIS wanted—a vaudeville honse of | Euests of the Hoffman Brothers at 53 - o T the inaugural performance. L "V"T‘f"“]‘"(‘ ‘::;":,(‘fmdm””; The Strand in many respects is a el Parking Places | departure from the traditional thea- In lne with the. prosressiveness | e desiEn. Its entrance, its marquee that has made this theater possible|3Rd main lobbles will have a bril: andl the poliey which. It i expected |12ACY and atmosphere that = sur- 3 e policy L 1t is jss anythi n the country. ill make it popular in this section | PUSeS (‘;‘s::‘rxfig:" AR of the state, the management has| 5 WECEON Gy oce f gone one step farther than anybody| Now Britain's new theat clse has attempted. Free parking | L epace for such patrons as wish it | has been provided | The Strand management has| leased for a term of years the large ‘Enm-\\nl"llo: In the rm:];;: ms \;.“:\(. Strand will be presented three times. | A. and Uhe Sovere'Ens =bUldiNgdon, these days')the = pérformaloed ‘ar‘!] :hls \.': to hv‘[l:(vll?.-‘\: :‘! Ad)S(:'anld will be continuous from 1:30 until | parking place. It must be distinct- [10.30, |ly understood that this 48 by no| watinee prices will prevail on | means a public parking place, nor|gatyrdays until 3:30 o'clock. The | Will it be a commercial parking site | staan orchestra will accoms | Where ‘;“»‘r "";»" be “"1”‘;“’ for the | pany the vaudeville and ;;homplar: payment of a fee. s just as an- cach of the three performance |nounced. a free parking place ror!:.‘. Saturdays ‘and holldays. | patrons who request it. An attend- |ant will be on the grounds at all| times. | trance will be through the |driveway between Hallinan's block |and the Sovereigns bullding and the {exit will be on Court street through |the Y. M. C. A. property. | Details of the plan, as announced |by the management, are simple but S with a capable staff and promises to give way the CONTINUOUS SHOWS ON SATURDAYS Only on Saturdays and holidays will the vaudeville programs at the LOGE CHAIRS COMFORTABLE The loge chairs which will be res served at each performance are |the most comfortable seats manu- factured by the American Seating company, for theater purposes, There are all told 125 loge seats. The entrance to the loges is from the balcony.