STATE THEATRES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 666, 18 May 1929, Page 27

STATE THEATRES

OWNED BY UNCLE SAM

Uncle Sam is the owner and operator of two theatres in Washington, says the “New York Times.” One of the Federal playhouses has only recently been acquired. The President, on Pennsylvania Avenue, near the Post Office Building, was bought not long ago for 250,000 dollars. The original theatre on that spot was built in ISO 4, burned in 1820, rebuilt, and for a long time served as the United States Post Office, besides being the scene of Several inaugural balls. The other United States-owned theatre is Poli’s, which is almost in front of the Treasury. It was built in 1884 as a combination theatre and armory for the Washington Light Infantry, later a part of the District of Columbia National Guards. Its first name was Albaugh’s Opera House. It opened with Semiramide, starring Emma Abbott. Many other famous actors have trod its boards. Later the theatre became the Chase, and some time after a Keith vaudeville house. The United States Government has come into possession of the two theatres with adjoining property in pursuance of the plan for the beautification of Washington. But both structures are soon to be torn dow/j