The billboard (Nov 1911)

12 X li e Oillboard NOVEMBER 4, 1911. AMUSEMENT EVENTS OF THREE LI GHTS NO T BRIGHT Farce Comedy by C. T. Dazey and May Robson in Which the Latter. Appears Constructed Along too Broadly Farcical Lines—Playjs Beneath Dignity of Author and Star CUeago, Oct. 24 (Special to The BUlboard). Tae neir vehicle, The Three Lights which ' May Bobaon wrote for herself In coUahoraUoa wltli Charles T. Dazey, had its metropoUtan nremlere at the Lyric Theatre Sunday night before an andlence that langbed eneonragement and seemingly enjoyed itself. The play la along broadly farcical lines, and Is fashioned somewhat after the fashion of The BejnTenation of Annt Mary, bat the character- izations that Ulnmlnated and leavened that comedy are missing here. The story has to do with the search of a fond Giranmam for her wayward grandsons, the qnest leading her to a city cafe of qaestlonaUe ehaiabter. The fnn is snpplled by the spec- tacle of the dear old lady In a state of laton- catlon. It is not as offensive as this statement would snggest, but one is constrained to agree with Ashton Stevens of the Biamlner, who says: "Grandma on a 'Jag' Is not a pretty theme, even for a bright yoong optimist Ufce Henitfc Ibsen, Miss Bobson and Mr. Dazey have wrmen it without gloves—without hnivea and forks, so to speak plainly—and it la a very sorrowful comedy. "I can not but be pained when Miss Bob- son, putting young rouge and immature rice powder on her face, seta out to be my grand- mother on -a larlc in a questionable tavern. L e.. The Three Lights. It is painting the lily scarlet." Frederic Batton In the Post says ot play and players: "Miss Bobson Is a akilled fareense. She knows where laai^ter Uves and how he may be lored ont of his hiding place.' But ber bait In this tole Isnot snbtle. She seems willing to go to any length to get a sodden Telp of mirth Irani a house. Her GraDnmrn is frankly an Impersonation on farcical lines. It Is a caricature of age on pleasure bent. "EJUh Coziratl did a more plausible bit as a donr matron, with severe ideas and heaildri'ss. and I'aiil Decker. Jack Storey. Lenore Phelps and ("aye Cusick were attractive as the quar- tet of young people. The play can be Im- proved by removing a few of the most vivid de- Sixth National Dairy Show Opens Chicago, Oct. 27 (Special to The Billboard). —Queen Cow holds court this week at the Dex- ter Park Pavilion at the Union Stock Sards, where the Sixth National Dairy Show opened last night to a large attendance. The show win be open dally from 10 a. m. until 11 p. m.. throDgh Satnrday, November 4. One thou- sand pedigreed dairy cows from the leatling herds and dairies of America are on exhibi- tion. Besides Jerseys, the entries comprise Dutch Belted. Guernseys. Brown Swiss, Hol- stelns, Ayreshlres and pigmy Dexters from Ker- ry, Ireland. Among the attractions offered are a pony show, athletic - meet, dairymaids' chu- ms, mUk wagon delivery tournament, stenog- raphers', milking contests, girls' basket ball and exhibits of the Chicago Health Department and vaiions agricultural colleges In the United States. ' Armin Hand. and his band discourse mnslc In the attemooB and evening sessions. 13 BOXES ADDED FOR CHICAGO GRAND OPERA. Chicago, Oct. 28 (Special to The Blllhoard). —Owing to the great demand for boxes duriiig the forthcoming grand opera aeason at the Au- ditorlnm. the management of the Chicago Grand Opera Company has torn oat fonr handred fS seats, and installed .tblrteen boxes calcnlatetl to earn $380 for each performance. . At flrst glance,* It would appear that the change would mean a loss to the' management of 91.220, and such would be the case, were It certain thnt the bouse were to be Sllrd each and every night. This can scarcely be hoped for. hence the management thinks It wise.to tbns cater to the unprecedented demand for boxes, by chang- ing the seating arrangements. Among those who will attend the opera, oc- enpyine the newly-Installed boxes are: Egbert B. Gold. Ifrs. B. Hall HcC^rmlck. John Lee Habin. Blon J. Arnold, A. Stanford "White. H. A. Christy, W. J. Bryson. C. N. Kimball, Samuel iBfoIl. E. B. Bntler, Graham H. Harris. Frank B. McUnniB. F. Letts, F. D. Conntiss, Noble B. Jndah. D. N. Cnmmings, Mrs. A. H. Loeb. H. U. Bylleaby, George B. Dryden, it. U. Klik- man, Harrtit Hnghitt. Alfred Cowles, .J. He. O. Woen, Ua. Potter Palmer and John O. Bhedd. HEW THEAT RE FO R CHICAGO. Chicago, Oct. 2B (Speelal to The Blllbosrd). —'While It Is scknowledgad that Oblago pos- sesses a snflleiency of theatres In the Loop district, plans for more outlying houses of ■mnaeiaeiit are gobuc oa apace. Frank Gaziolo and Bobart SIzon bare began the erection of a new theatre at Sheffleld and Bebnont Avenues, which vfll coit (126.000. ■ and win play the «Iass of attractions now Tlsltlng the Hay- tnaiket, the Imperial and the National Theatres. 4}aas>lo and Blxon are bodi Interested in the fmpoial. and BIxob b OM of the managers «( the CrowB. talis of Miss Bobson's morning after scene. To that extent The Three Lights need shading." Percy Hammond, who has achieved consider- able reputation as a master of sarcasm, has his little fling: "The idea might be entertain- ing—a wholesome old gentlewoman in quest of her youth and finding it with the boyish ad- (Contlnnpd on page 32.) CAST BET TER TH AN PLAY Critics' View of A Man of Honor By Isaac Landman, io Which Edmund Breese Is Appearing with Excellent Sup- port—Play Not Reminiscent or New in Theme. Chicago, Oct. 25 (Special to The Billboard). —^Had Isaac Landman had the forethought to have written A Man of Honor before Charles Klein gave The Lion and the Mouse to the world, he might have won. the ardent praise of the young men who 'monld Chicago's theatric opinion, instead of inviting their sarcastic an- al.vsls. Not that the newer play Is at all rem- iniscent, but the critics are keener In their MURIEL STARR. iSi Thea^tSJ! So^'l&l'TtaS SaTS?d"^an^'iSvl«d^s'Slc^.s'ful"st'f|? lir^V^J^ STu People's Theatre Opens Again Chicago, Oet. 28 (Special to The Billboard). —The People's Theatre, which for aeveral years enjoyed an era of prosperity under the va- rious managements of May Hoemer, Fred Con- rad and the lirm ot Wingfield. Bowland & Clif- ford, but which has been dark for a long time, win soon reopen under new auspices. It will be the home ot the Mack-Leone Players, beaded by WUlard Mack and Maude Leone, two well- known stock iieople. Popular prices will be maintained, and attractive features are prom- ised. The opening attraction will be Mr. Mack'a appealing drama. God's Conntry, which will be given Its fliat presentation on any stage. GERTRUDE ELLIOTT TO ADDRESS THE DRAMA LEAGUE. Chicago, Oet. 26 (Speelal ts The BiUboaTd). —Miss Gertrude Elliott, the star of BebelUon, will address the Drama .I^agoe Thursday, Nov- ember 2, at the Stratford Hotel. She will talk on EngUA and American Audiences. Mr. Fred- erick Donaghey, western representative of Lleb- ler and Company, will also speak, bis subject being Tbe Theatre Situation In Chicago. Said and Seen On the Rialto Edward H. Bobla. who supports ETdmnnd Breese In A Man of Honor at the Cart Theatre, began bis stellar career as lesding man with WlngOeld, Bowland & Clifford's People's The- atre, long one of the most ambitions stock bouses In Chicago. Later be served as leading man at the Bnsb Temple Theatre on the North Side, where he gained great popularity. He originally appeared under his own name of Edward B. Haas, but when David Belasco engaged him to support Frances Starr In The Easiest Way, he Induced Haas to adopt aa bis nom de theatre the patronym of bla mother's family, Bobin. John Philip Sousa and his band are schedule<1 to give two concerts in Chicago at the Andl- torlnm on November 26, The Chicago Drama Players will begin their season at Cleveland, Ohio, on November 6. Chi- cago will not see them until tbe first week It . February. Manager A. B. Woods has decided to have Dnstin and William .Famum and Tbe Llttleat Bebel Cbmpany. now playlDC at the (Alcago Opera iiouse, try out The Broken Bosary at one or two performances during their engage- ment here. The play Is the first creation (Continued on page 58.) estimate of the worth of plays Involving ftta- lied finance than they were when John iii,rt«i Eyder and his contemporaries took llic boards In short A Man of Honor, in which Edmund Breese and a gifled company appeared at Hip Cort Theatre Sunday night. October b«l fulled to secure the unqualiard endorsmiiut ul the Chicago dramatic writers. altUouEh that does not seem to discourage the CUlca-o nlar- goers from patronizing it in tncrea8ius:ly lari:. numbers. The general opinion U that the theme of Mr. Landman's maiden effort is Irlte and stale. The highbrow Uste has passed berond and that the sentiments are false and the logl^ uncanrlnclng. All agree that the cast Is inucb better than the vehicle, and that the work of Edmund Btcese In the leading role, and that of Balph Delmore. Ben Johnson, Bans Robert and Edward H. Boblns In the support redeem the faults of the manuscript. O. L. Hall, of Tbe Journal, says of the play and Its star: "This play Is an artlBiial. un- real, and unconvincing work, obvluusly the In- vention of the theatre. The acting given tlie play Is mnch better than one has aoy rcason> to ask for It. The acting of Breese Is, I. think, the best of his career that has come- under my observation. He richly endows this- Judge with personality and gives a more square- ly artistic performance than ever I have seen, him give before. It la not great acting in an; sense, and Breese would he the last to claim- greatness tor It, but It Is very good acting. There is a feeling In It; there la a clear de- scription of various moods." Of the snportlng cast. Percy Hammond says^ In The Tribune: •Thrills may be experienced here and there by those who like to see an upright judge bidding 'a briber begone, and later offering his only son on the altar ot his judicial dnty. Homance. too. la Intertiolated bv tbe prettv and cooing Miss Muriel Starr and b.r Mr. Edward Robins, an expen in the imper- sonation of earnest suitors. The sincerest and most akillfnl playing la that of Mr. Ben Jobs- (Continued on page 52.) Herbert Duce Takes Bankruptcy Cliicago. Oct. 28 (Special to The Billboard). —Herbert . C, Dace, former Chicago mana^ier for tbe Sbuberts. and now editor of a local pub- lication, has filed a voluntary petition in bank- ruptcy in the United States- District Court, scheduling liabilities of $4,7.19, and assets of $514. Some of the creditors, with amounts line them, are: Herman Frank. 69 W.ishlnRton Street, $850; George Silver, 83 West liandolnh street, Chicago, $163; -Mortimer Singer, Prin- cess Theatre. Chicago, $2i0; Sam S. and Lee Shubert, New York. $150; J. T. Henderson. 81J Dearborn Avenue. Chicago. $150: E. A. Rivkin. -'1549 Donglas Boolevard. Chicago. $450. DELAMARTER HEADS MUSIC CLUB. Chicago. Oct. 24 (Special to The Billboard). —The Musical Art Society of Chicago, which ever since its founding ten years ago by Clarence Dickinson, has been a large factor tbe molding of taste in the Westernhttsuecee the moldln- of musical taste In the Westernt metropolis, has experleneed a change of masters. Frederick Stock, director of the Tlieoilore- Thomas Orchestra, has resigned Uie position of director of the Mnslcrl .\rt Society, and will be- succeeded by Eric Delsmarter, musicnl and dramatic critic of T^e Inter Ocean, While the election of Mr. De'-marter has not yet taken place, be Is the choice of Mr. Stock nnd tn<r members and dlre~torate ate certain to Indorse their late directc-'s choice. Mr. Delamarter la organist and choirmaster of the New En?Ianct Congregational Church In Chicago. nunlir.TlBB for that position by studying with WIdor and Guilmaut In Ptrls and with Wllhelm Jlidilel- Bchulte In Chicago. CONWAY TO HAVE CHICAGO BAND CTiIcaj">. Oct. 24 (Special to The nilllmardl. —Pntriel- Conway, whose Ithaca Band Is Justly famous among the music lovers the conntry nrer. has de-lded to establish a band In ChlcnKo to tskc ailrantage of the central locatinn of the Western metropolis with regard to the Clinn- tannui field. He Is now In the East making arrenTements for the new season, and hns »le- cl-'ert on a trip from Phlladelnbla to San Fran- ftfo next year with Conway's ChUJago Band. Instrnmentnl aololvta will Include the foT- '-•'Ing: H. Benne Rralon. saxophone; John ■"■•Ian. comet: Charles Bandall. trombone: VWt ninglns. piccolo, and BIcbard Ltndennnnn, French horn. SulllTan tt (Jnnaldine are now booking a apllt week In St. Lonis, between tbe Prlncew. Chippewa sad LaFWrette Theatres, A eomplata Ktt of atlraetlong at Chicago Thaatret appears an P*S6