The Billboard 1902-02-22: Vol 14 Iss 8 (1902-02-22)

enn 0 ee geet x ~ snipe aps eae SS. ee ee 2 oad a THE BILLBOARD GROWING IN FAVOR Is Minstrelsy, Says John W. Vogel, in an Interesting Article on the Black Face Art. John W. Vogel, the well known minstrel. contribnted a very interesiing article to thi New York Telegraph, last week, on the be ginning and rise of minstrelsy. Mr. Vogel's article is interesting in that it tends t prove that minstrelsy, far from being on the wane, is gaining in popularity evers year. Mr. Vogel says: “Is minstrelsy on the wane?’ | Wholesome and judici | the leading great That is a question which is often put to | me by all manner of men, both in and cur of the theatrical profession, and my onc reply at all times has been No, with a cap ital N About once a year some theatrical men ager, in an interview, or writer, in an article, comes out with the statement .bat the days of minstrelsy sr over; that the days of the end man’s joke und the interlocutor’s announcements ar past, and that the minstrel moke is fas declining, and is scheduled soon to becom a chareter of history. This idea is decidedly erroneous, and in making this statement I feel that I am competent to judge, as I have spent the best part of my life in this line of the theatrical profession. Not only is minstrelsy not on the decline, but it is most decidedly on the ascent, and increasing in popular f ave every vear. This tact is evidenced by the great increase in the number of minstrel companies on the road. Surely, if there were any truth in the statement that it was on the wane fewer companies would go on tour each year; but each season comes the demand from all over the country for min strel attractions. Again, one must take into consideration that of all ciasses of attractions that tow each season, fewer iinstrel companies fail than any other. A eareful study of the per centage of failures in all lines of the aimruse ment business will prove beyond a doubt that the number of minstrel attractions that failed were less than all of the rest, even including circuses. Minstrelsy is distinetiy the American standard of popular amusement. By this | do not mean to go on record as suying that Americans would forego grand opera for minstrelsy; but what I do mean to say is, that of the popular forms of amusement minstrelsy is easily first in the regard of the general public. In days gone by every large city had as a permanent attraction a minstrel organiza tion. New York had the San Francise: Minstrels, who for years were the topic of conversation among theater-goers; and Chi eago, Philadelphia and San Francisco also had similar organizations. ‘To-day delphia is the only city in the United Staves that has a minstrel company as a perma nent attraction. Minstrelsy undoubtedly was the carliest form of organized amusement ventures, and since the. Middle Ages, when it was first recognized, has been on the increase. In | the Middle Ages minstrels were band of singers and musicians who gave what is now known as a “‘first part entertainment,’ of singing and playing on musical instru ments. The songs usually consisted of ba! lads of love and war, and with a repertory they toured the continents of Europe, meeting with popular praise and encouragement everywhere. In the eighth century min strelsy was introduced into France, and by the Norman Conquest later introduced into England. where, with the Gleemen, in themselves a style of minstrels, they were assimilated. For a long period they were held in high repute, but about the fifteenth eentury, through various causes, they lost favor with the better classes of people In this country minstrels were first found among the negro slaves in the South, where on the plantations they sang the negro inel odies. Even there their form of entertain ment was almost the same in style as in centuries back. About 1830 white men, wesring burnt cork and costumed, became part of the many Classes of attraction< touring the country, with the characteristic features of the Southern darkies. From that time up to the present day minstrelsy has been making giant strides. Then a minstrel show was compesed of possibly a dozen men, at little or no expense; but to-day a first-class minstrel! company will boast of at least forty people, and the cost of pro duction will often reach up to many thou sands of dollars. The most singular thing about minstrelsy is that from the earliest ages it has never lost its original character, embodied in the first part, which I suppose will always be the distinguishing part of all minstrel en tertainments for vears to come. One reason why minstrelsy is increasing in popular favor is that nothing in the least some dramatic | offensive has eyer been allowed to become part of a minstrel attraction. It is the one form of amusement where women and chil dren can attend without the least fear of seeing or hearing something that might cause them to regret having attended. I can repeat again that minstrelsy is not only not dead, but on the ascent; and that in the next five years this form of pure, us amusement will be attraction with the form of American public, PLAY HOUSES. Managers, press agents, stage managers treasurers, performers, etc., are tnvited to contribute items of news concerning themselvi: friends or houses to this column, which ts alvays open to friends of the Billboard. A new vaudeville house is talked of for Portland, Ore. A new vaudeville theater was opened at Hartford, Conn., Feb, 17. The Columbia, Atlanta, Ga., is to be thoruchiy remodeled at the close of the season. Tamaqua, Pa., will have a $50,000 opers use. Work on it will begin in the spring. Frank Burt has leased Faurot's Opera House, Nenia, O.. and will add it to his irenit. The West End Amusement Company will rect a new theater In New York, to cost 200 000 The Vendome Theater, Nashville, Tenn., roe ntly destroyed hy fire, will be rebuilt in the suminer. “Tennessee's Pardner” was the openin:r ttraction at the new opera house, Marahan, Ta., Feb. 12 Manager Finotee, of the Westen (W. Va.) porn Tlouse, will make extensive improvenents in the building Oscar Hammerstein neither affirms vor denies the report that he intends building theater in Philadelphia. James Seullion has been appointed treas urer of Wallack’s Theater, New York, vice john McKeever, resigned. It has heen definitely settled that the new Grand Opera House, Cincinnati, will not be opened until next season. hiiforts are being made in New York to vass an ordinance requiring the printing on il theater tickets of their price. The Colombo Society, of Albuquerque, N Mo has seized Crawford's Hall, that city, or debt. and will convert it into a theater White Rats are net starving. One of the hoary rodents. Fred. Hylands, has landed the iusiceal directorship of the Bastable Theater, New York. Alf. Ellingham, a former newspaper man f San Francisco. now manager of the Cali fornia Theater, that city, was married ai Vortinnd, Ore.. to Miss Lillian Sieber. A new clectric drop curtain has been pat ented by Langdon MeCormack. The speed f the curtain may be regulated by a <witeh, and the men in the flies will not be reoded The Columbia Street Theater, Utiea. N Yo. was destroved by fire early on the morn ' of Feb. 11 David Thompson, an em ove of the theater, has been arrested on suspicion. Nick Hannon, stage hand at Macauley's Theater, Lonisville, Kyv., fell from the flies to the stag Feb. 11, between the third and foutth aets of “Janice Meredith.” He was badly hert Frank Wolf, who during the early part of the season was advance agent for “Tlumpty Drimpty.” is now assisting John Keenan. the advertising agent of the Nixon & Zim merman theaters Work is progressing nicely on the Chest nut Street Theater, Philadelphia, being erected by B. FL Keith. The house, whose total cost will be over a million, will be pened in September J. R. Wainwright was the name given by a young man arrested in a Hot Springs (Ark.) theater Feb. 12, for disorderly con duct. He is supposed to be the son of a wealthy Pittsburger. Treasurer Eddie Aylward, of Robinson's Opera Honse, Cincinnati, celebrated Valentine Day by presenting every applicant for ticket with a beer chip. A new boy was the cause of the liberality. If Cleveland, 0., don’t quit building the aters soon, It will hecome necessary to push Lake Frie Cannadaward several miles, to make room for the temples of Thespians Two new playhouses are talked of. It looks very much as if the Exposition and Musie Hall, at St. Louis, will be a thing of the past. Mr. Atkinson, the secre tary and manager, has issued a call for £20).006 to pay the present indebtedness, and uniess the above amount is fortheom ing the property will become the holdings of the ecitv, in which event it will be turned over to the St. Louls Public Library. DRAMA AND TRAGEDY. Performers are eoreteliy invited to contribut items of news concerning themselves and friend: to this column, which ts always open to friends of the Billboard. Kk. H. Sothern may revive “‘Hamlet’’ next Season, Isabel Irving is playing Marita in Faversham’'s “A Royal Rival.” John L. Sullivan was at Hot Springs trst week. He was as usual. Ben Teal has gone to London to direct the rehearsals of ‘Ben Hur.”’ Stanislaus Stange is writing a play for Otis Skinner, to be produced next season, J. Kush Bronson, author of ‘‘The Suwanee River,’ has written another drama, ‘Cal ifornia.”’ J. H. Pearl's ‘‘Reaping the Harvest’ Is meeting with wonderful success on its tour of the South. A half frozen infant was discovered, Feb 11, on the doorstep of Elsie De Wolfe's home in New York. Georgia Wells, the soubrette, has a new play, through the medium of which she hopes to become a star. Walter Hale, who was with Mary Man nering in “Janice Meredith,’’ has gone t Southern France for his health. Howell Hensel is to leave Kyrle Bellew. to appear in the role of Old Jasper in ‘lhe Starbucks,”’ soon to take the road. The road dates of “Under Two Flags’ Blanche Bates’ company) have been can‘eled, and it will remain in New York. Jane Oaker, Hackett's leading lady, ts ill. and her place is filled by Charlotte Walker W. FE. Nankeville announces a new melo drama for next season. It's title is ‘*The Little Mother,’ by Lawrence Marston. Miss Minnie Claussenius, daughter of the Austrian Consul at Chicago, has joined Kvrle Bellew's “Gentleman of France.’ Frank James has appealed to a Kansas City court to enjoin the further production of a drama called “The James Boys in Mis souri.”’ Mrs. Edna Knox Bruce, high in Spring field (Q.) social cireles, has joined a com nany playing “Thelma,” she having the ‘eading role. Opie Read, author of “The Starbucks” and other plays. is soon to put on a new meat the Dearborn, Chicago, to be known as “The Harkriders.” Mr. John Haffel, general representative of “The Span of Life.’ was a “Billboard” caller Feb. 11. Mr. Haffel is one of the veterans among advance men. Kitty Clements has been granted a 4ivoree from John Wackerman, because she discovered that her first husband, whom she ‘hought was dead, is still alive. Miss Charlotte Sackett, a Newport (Ky.) girl. is distinguishing herself in the Wes* as leading ladv of “The Pride of Jennico” Company, under the name of Charlott« Huntington. 7 David O'Brien, an actor, at one time witl Mary Anderson, is a patient in a Dayton (O.) hospital. When he is able to leave tbe institution Mr. O’Brien will open a dra matic sehool at Dayton. Poor “Uncle Tom's Cabin." Those Ten nesseans at Clarksville, last week, gave 9 troupe the choice of playing something cls« wr getting out of town. So “Ten Nights in 4 Rarroom"™ was substituted. “The Dairy Farm” has a novel way of advertising. A wagon load of straw, drawr by a pair of oxen, bearing the name of the nlay, is driven through the streets of che towns in which it is to play. Frederick Rerger. 2 brother-in-law of So! Smith Russell. and manager of the Lafay otte Square Theater, Washington, D. ©. will own the rights to “The Sign of tle Cross” at the end of the present season The blow has fallen. The “Unele Tom" chow in which John TL. Sullivan starred ne* : frigid finish in Jersey City Feb. 12. It has “busted.” and John promises to make ‘wo needed reforms— quit drinking and act ing. Kate Claxton has eome to the fore wit! 4 Vigorous objection to the proposed all star cust production of “The Two Orphans’ in New York next May. Miss Claxtor ‘laims to hold the sole rights to the play nd demands that she be in the east if I ‘s prodneed. Frank James bas been granted an Injune ‘ion forbidding the use of the name, “Th Tames Bovs in Missouri.’ being furthe: used by a dramatic company. The injune ‘ion does not go into effect, however, unt! Tames puts un a bond, which at present he is unable to do Mr. W. HU. Estes, « well known sporting man of Americus, Ga., will have a large company on the road next season. The name of the play has not been announced 1s vet. His tour will embrace the principa’ sities, and he has engaged a special trair ff Pullman ears for its vse. Rob Watt .the dramatic author of Phila Jelphia. has just finished a new melodrama which he has leased to a well known star The title Is “A Seeret Service Detective.” and it will be produced in) the popular nrice houses next season, with an elaborate scenic equipment. Mr. Watt_is now en eaged on a play for Florence Bindley, and tc also writing sketches for a number of prominent vaudeville people. FARCE AND COMEDY. Performers are cordially invited to contribute items of news concerning themselves and friends to this column, which ts always oven lo friends of the Billboard. Geo. A. Bailey, business manager of the Eastern “Finnigan's Ball,” informs ‘The Rillboard” that his company Is enjoying un precedented prosperity everywhere. Gertrude Shafer, a Cincinnati divorcee and former society girl, recently joined “The Telephone Girl’ Company at St. Louis, assuming the role of Clementine. Elsie De Wolf will give a special matinee in New York, some time in March, present. ing “Captain Brasshound’s Conversion.” new three-act comedy, by Bernard Shaw S. I. Bender, agent of the “Katzenjam mer Kids,’ has been engaged by slondel| & Fennessy for next season, to ‘net in the same capacity for the new farce comedy ‘Through the Center of the Barth.” om _Emil Ankermiller, press representative for Nat C. Goodwin and Maxine Elliott. has ‘eft for the South. The tour will extend to the coast, and will be concluded on June 7. Miss Eliott will at once sail for Europe to attend the coronation of King Edward VII, she being one of the invited guests. Joseph W. Standish, who has been play ing the parts created by David Warfield and John T. Kelly in the Weber & Fields travesties at the Orpheon Musie Hall, Chi eago, has resigned from that organization Karlier in the season Mr. Standish played Louis Mann’s part in ‘The Girl In the Bar racks.” Billy McClain and Ernest Hogan, two of America’s leading negro comedians, haye ennounced their return home after a three vears’ trip of undaunted suecess in Aus tralia. On their arrival they will complete arrangements for the largest negro musica! comedy company ever presented to the American public. The Metropolitan The itrical Exchange, Broadway Theater Build ing, will have charge of the organization. a STOCKS AND REPERTOIRE, Performers are cordially invited to contribute items of news concerning themselves and friends to this column, which ts always oven to friends Wf the Billboard. Charles Frohman will send a big stock company to San Francisco in June for fif teen weeks. Henry Miller will head jr Elizabeth Tyree, at’ present playing in ‘The Romanesques,”’ states that next sea son she will organize and manage a stock soOmpany, Alfred J. Voyer, manager of the Empire heater, Albany, N. Y., will organize a stock company for the summer. to be head d by Francis Kingdon and Wm. Courte nay When the Hopkins Stock Company closes it Chicago, Selma Herman will come to ‘incinnati to rest. Miss Hermann will head 1 sutumer stock company at Heuck’s, Cin ‘innati. Monday, Feb. 10, was the fifth anniver sary of the Pike Stock Company, Cinein nati. In that period the company has pre ented 120 diflerent plays, and has given 0000 performances James Neill, who was formerly at. th ‘ead of the Neill Stock Company. in Cin ‘innati, renigged in the midst of the Initia ion ceremonies of the Spokane (Wash.) Miks. He said that he considered being hit with a stuffed club beneath his dignity Miss Estella N. Wills, leading soubrett« f the Frankie Stock Company, was recent 'v severely injured during a matinee at the Lebanon (TPa.) theater. A ten-pound weight fell from the fly-bridge, a distance of 36 feet, striking her on the shoulder. Although uffering exeruciating pain Miss Wills went on as usual with her role. Miss Octavie Barbe, who has been the ‘right particular star of the Orpheon Stock “ompany, of Chicago, since joining that or ganization, eleven weeks ago, has don ome exceedingly clever work In the leading female parts which have been assigned her 'n the part of Kantaker, in “The Geezer.” her Introduced specialty was one of the Ing rest hits the house has ever known As ‘Barbara Fidgity,”’ in the travesty of that “ame, she showed positive proof of creat ‘rtistie ability in the interpretation of the ‘haracter, and also interpolated a specialty n the Vesta Tilley order, which showed hat in male attire she was the equal of any woman on the stage. “Catherine.’ which followed, again introduced her in the name nart. singing a coon song The next re vival being “Fiddle-Dee-Dee,”” and there ‘eing no female part of prominence, Miss "“arbe was featured in her specialty, the ame which she has done at the Cherry Slossom Grove, in the New York Theater md at Koster & Bial's. Miss Barbe has a ‘rominent role In the Teller & Steeley lece, “A Night Around Town.” MUSIC AND OPERA. Performers are cordially invited lo contribute items of news concerning themselves and friends ‘o this column, which ts always open to friends the Billboard, Madame Lili Lehman addressed the Vege arian Society at Carnegie Hall, New York, Veb. : Niels Juel Simonsen, the Danish opera inger, will visit the land of Unele Sam tn he spring. Eduard Zeldenrust, the Dutch pianist layed at the Odeon, Cineinnati, Feb on good crowd. Capt. Wm. Kent, who once formed an pera company, is suffering with rheuma ism at the Cincinnati Hospital “When Reuben Comes to Town’ is the itle of a new musical comedy, to be pro duced at Amsterdam, N. Y., Feb. 21 The recital given In New York, Feb. 12, ‘ny violinists Kreisler and Jean Gerardy, at racted a great crowd to Carnegie Hall Walter Damrosch is chasing about with a 1ammer, He wants the salaries of singers ‘educed and opera houses made smatier Fred, Cummings and several others wil! yt out a Wild West show, opening In New York in the spring. A trip will be made ‘oO Murope. ° J. R. Stirling, of Buffalo, has secured the rights to the Sapolio musical comedy, ‘Spotless Town,"’ and will produce it soon in New York. Paderewski's new opera, “Maurnu,’ given its Initial production at the Metropolitan, New York, Feb. 14, scored one of the dis tinct hits of the musical season In the me tropolis,