Today, we visit the stage of the Lyric Theare. One of the most stunning pieces is the wonderful curtain ( as seen on my header) that proudly proclaims that it is made of asbestos! Back in vaudeville days, backstage fires were common, so an asbestos curtain was a safety feature to boast about. Today it has been sealed so prevent contamination. The ample wings and depth of this stage and the marvelous acoustics make it an excellent choice for ballet, theater and musical concerts. There is already a great amount of interest within the community to rent the building when restorations are complete.
Birmingham Landmarks has contracted with National Community Development Services to lead a 7 million dollar restoration effort. Please visit their website for more information on how you can contribute.
8 comments:
Old theaters had an asbestos curtain in case of fire?? This is new and terrifying to me.
Makes a fine photo, though.
You have another fine post today, Virginia. I know that as you are permitted to document progress that you will share it with us. I'm saying thank you right now!
Wonderful photos, V. Hopefully the theatre will be restored and become the community treasure it is destined to be.
I was on stage once. A group of neighbors paid for my passage and then drove the stage out of town. I didn't think that was very nice. :-)
I love these photos of the Lyric, Virginia. What a fantastic old vaudeville house! Structures like this are becoming rare; this is a treasure.
In my hometown of DeKalb, Illinois, the citizens banded together to save the Egyptian Theater, an old theater much like this one. It is now a center of arts and performance, from rock bands to films to Broadway musicals.
You've been to Paris a lot but not to London, I think. In their theaters the draperies at the front of the stage all used to have big letters that said "Safety Curtain." Some of them still do.
The theater is trying to raise a whole lot of money. I hope they make it.
I like that first shot the best. Even stripped down, the stage promises a performance in a special space.
It's good to know there's interest in the community for the theatre.
It reminds me of a movie theatre close to my place built a few years after vaudeville, but definitely has an old fashioned taste to it. It's in the hands of owners who are doing good work preserving the place.
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