Variety (October 1909)

TEN OB NTS > VOL. XVI.. NO. 5. OCTOBER 9, 1909. PRICE TEN CENTS. ENGLISH ARTISTS' SOCIETY TRYING TO COMBINE HALLS Offering to Work with Its Acts on Sharing Terms. Want Opposition. The Big Combination Goes Through. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. G. The Variety Artists' Federation of Eng- land is making a big effort to have cer- tain music halls get together in order that the V. A.F. can work with them through the society's acts on sharing terms. The object is to project an opposition into the field, strung enough to have some show of strength if the reported combina- tion of the big circuits should be effected. The big combination is practically com- plete. All circuits included will book from one office to be be called "The Variety Ex- change." This agency will "split" commissions with agents, deducting 2*4 per cent, of the five agents charge. The managers are awaiting only Oswald Stoll's return from Russia before signing agreement. Circuits composing combine are Moss- Stoll, Barrasford, Syndicate, United, Coun- ties. Ue Frecc. and Gibbons. William \ax and W. II. Clermart. of the V. A. F., have been in the provinces, os- tensibly to discuss the music hall and the- ater license, but have pointed out at all the meeting* held the advantage of an op- position against the combine, if it should go through, and have informed members to be prepared for the news of the com- bine. LINCOLN SQUARE ON MARKET? Reports are that the Lincoln Square is on the market to anyone agreeing to pay the yearly rental, $40,000. F. F. Proctor was mentioned this week as considering it for a combination vaude- ville and picture place. Others were also rumored to be after it. Charles E. Blaney is the present lessee. Since the opening of the season the Shu- berts have been playing their shows in the house as a week stand. According to reports, the business there has been very weak. It is rumored the Academy will shortly go into "pictures." MAJESTIC "POP" IN THREE WEEKS. Jos. Schenck of the People's Vaudeville Co. stated on Tuesday that his firm would again occupy the Majestic, at Columbus Circle for popular priced vaudeville and pictures, commencing Nov. 1 or 8. The Majestic will then oppose the Circle, situated in the same square. This week the People's Co. leased the Yorkville Theatre from Hurtig & Sea- inon, and will install its combination policy there. ENGAGES BIG ENGLISH ACTOR. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. 0. Arthur Bourchier, one of England's best know legtitimatc actors, and Violet Van- brugh have been engaged to appear in a sketch around Christmas time at the Palace, London. It will be their debut in the vaudevilles and an important event for the Palace. PANTAGES SECURES NEW CHUTES. San Francisco, Oct. 7. It may be stated authentically that Alex. Pantages will play his vaudeville in the New Chutes Theater, due to open in December. At present Pantages operates the Em- pire in this city. It has not been doing over well. FIRST 'io ROOF ENGAGEMENT. The first engagement of an act for next summer on Hammerstein's Hoof was en- tered into this week when, through Weber & Allen, the agents, Harry DeCoe, equi- librist, was booked for twelve weeks on the aerial resort. BIG CHICAGO MEETING OCT. 28. Chicago, Oct. 7. A large and important meeting of the big managers connected with the Or- pheum Circuit and its bookings, or the Western Vaudeville Association will be held here Oct. 28 at the Majestic Theatre Building. What bearing the meeting may have upon current vaudeville events no one can be found in a position to state. RALPH HERZ BACK AGAIN. At Poli's, Hartford, Oct. 18, Ralph Herz, late star of a Shubert production, "The Prince of Mohamet," returns to vaude- ville, booked through Pat Casey. The Shubert show is said to have closed last Saturday night. Mr. Herz led it. His wife, Lulu Glaser. in another Shubert production commences a starring tour at Albany to-night (Saturday). EXPECTS TO PLAY LA SALLE. Chicago, Oct. 7. Notwithstanding the court decision against him for the continued possession of the La Salle, Mort Singer expects to open there on or about Oct. 25 with his latent production "The Flirtation Prin- cess. The piece, if successful, will be held at the La Salle for the season, Mr. Singer calculating upon an appeal from the edict ousting him to secure him the further tenancy of the now closed house. SENSATIONAL "CHINK" ACT. London, Sept. 21). The Ten Kwai Troupe at the Alhambra arc giving a remarkable performance. They are Chinese and proving a big attraction. After some of the usual work performed by Orientals, two of the troupe are swung by their hair from long ropes over the stage. It is a novel sight, but when one takes a slide from the top gallery to the stage, hanging only by his hair, it. almost bring*! the audience to their feet. CHEAPENING TOLEDO SHOWS. Toledo, Oct. 7. The bill has lx»en cheapened at the .American Music Hall, formerly Burt's, playing William Morris vaudeville. The prices have also been reduced, now 10-20-30. Business continues very poor. OCTOBER'S PARIS OPENINGS. Paris, Oct. 6. In the new programs for October in Paris, the Belleclaire Brothers at the Al- hambra scored a big success. The Ver- ona Cycle act did well at the Folies Ber- gere. Emerson and Baldwin, Le Pages and Max Gregory were successful at the Alhambra. Berlin, Oct. 7 Mabcllc Fonda in the new bill at the Wintergnrten did quite well. Ameta at the Apollo met with fair success, while Mabel Berra at the Apollo did not score heavily. BRUSSELS HOUSE MAY CLOSE. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, Oct. 0. It is understood that Barassford's Al- hambra in Brussels will not reopen, the directors being dissatisfied with the show- ing of the past season. Thomas Barassford is an English man- ager with something of a circuit. The Alhambra, Paris, is managed by him, con- ducted on London lines. The Brussels house was booked in connection with it, and an attempt to introduce the sam* innovation there was made. TANGUAY WINS VS. DAINTON. Baltimore, Oct. 7. Marie Dainton, the English mimic, is not with 'The Follies of 1900." Miss Dainlon was, nearly. She had been or- dered to report to the show, and Miss Dainton did report here la>t Sunday. Lvsi Tanguay, the "Follies" star, remarked that perhaps Miss Da in ton's specialty would not fit in, so it doesn't. The English girl was to have taken the role formerly assumed bv Lilian Lorraine. The Klaw & Erlanger managers who have Miss Dainton under contract have now reassigned her to "The Silver Star," which opens Monday at the Forrest. Phila- delphia. GEORGIA O'RAMEY IN LEGIT. Georgia O'Ramey, who formerly played in vaudeville as an impersonator, has been engaged and is now rehearsing with Wag- enthal &. Kemper's new production, "7 Days." which opens In New York Nov. 9.