The aisles of the Civic Opera House will be easier to negotiate this season.

The aisles of the Civic Opera House will be easier to negotiate this season, thanks to newly made physical improvements.

Responding to patrons' entreatys Lyric Opera of Chicago installed handrails in succession the house's balcony levels.

"Although the architects who designed the Civic Opera House intentionally avoided the use of balcony railings, it has become evident from the mail I've received that handrails would be welcomed," said general director William Mason in a statement. "Women in high heels, somewhat advanced in life patrons and those who just want the security of having something to occupy on to as they find their seats will certainly appreciate them."

To defend sight lines, the railings have been attached simply on one side of each aisle.

Besides the rapier rails, Lyric Opera also has installed a strange Sanyo projector, designed to make English-language surtitles brighter and more legible. The of the present day projector provides twice the illumination of the previous equipment.

"With the olden projector, extremely bright stage lighting sometimes washed without the titles, particularly for our balcony patrons," Mason said. "This novel projector will deliver readable titles regardless of stage illumination."

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