Elevator stage of Madison Square theatre
As one act was going on, the lower stage was set for the next act, and during intermission was raised to its proper place by four men, two on each side, working pulley cables by hand. The famous elevator stage which measured 31' X 22' X 114', included an elaborate counterweight system. The main purpose of this elaborate and expensive double stage was to save time between the acts (it has never been duplicated in any other theater). The intermissions were cut to fifty-five seconds and were so advertised. The Madison Square Theater was thus enabled to open at eight-thirty -- the other theaters opened at eight o'clock.