The Billboard 1902-09-13: Vol 14 Iss 37 (1902-09-13)

THE BILLBOARD The Melani troupe, who are at the Howard this weet, do an act that smacks very much of the European music halls. The three men who make up the troupe are talented instrumentalists and sing capitally. The burlesque stock company at the Grand Theater seems to have made an instant hit. The leading feature is ‘‘The Sultan’s Bride,” and in it Dot Davenport ng ures prominently. Austin & Stone’s Museum is having a week of genuinely crowded houses. The tremendous patronage was doubtless due to the extraordinary engagement here of Mantelli’s “Roman Students” and Senorita Iola de Cubas, the handsome Spanish danseuse. Norumbega Park is feeling the advantage daily of this ideal September weather. The rustic theater attraction this week is a vaudeville program, in the list of which are “The Whirlwinds of the Desert;’’ Fitzgibbon, MeCoy and Fitzgibbon; Lillie Western, Calvo, Russell and Locke and H. M. Lorrett. The Point of Pines will close for the sea son with the sacred concerts to be given next Sunday afternoon and evening. The bill this week is presented by Raymon Moore, Mackie and Walker, Nellie V. Par ker, Marlowe and Plunkett and the Baileys. Jack Vinal has been appointed ticket taker at the main entrance of the Colonial Theater. » McGerry is working with the staff at the Tremont. Geo. Mathews, treasurer of the Colonial, has got into harness again. He looks as if he could stand a hard winter, with his sailor bronze sunburn. George is a great favorite. Jim Keen is welcomed home by his host of friends. The patrons of the Boston Museum say “he’s Gentleman Jim.” FRANK H. ROBIE. PHILADELPHIA. All Theaters Enjoying Big Business Watt's Gossip. Though the nights of this week have been very sultry, business keeps good at all the theaters. Our amusement-loving — people seem to have lost all desire for parks, and the result is that all the money that is being spent for amusements is going into the hands of the theater managers. Usually at this season of the year, when the nights are warm, people do not turn out in great numbers for theatrical performances, but this year seems to be an exception, and all concerned are, therefore, thankful. Sixteen theaters are now open, and the rest will join the procession in a few weeks. The Auditorium, under the new management of Stair & Havlin, has caught the fancy of the publie, and they patronized it liberally dur ing the opening week. Murray and Mack are especially well supported by a big com pany, and as their new farce comedy, “‘A Night on Broadway,” is very funny, they will, no doubt, have a big season. The next attraction for the Auditorium, opening on the Sth, is ‘When Reuben Comes to Town.”’ At the Chestnut Street Theater, ‘“‘The Defender’ opened for a two weeks’ stay, but it did not please the critics, and therefore, came in for a vigorous roasting, which, however, did not have much effect on the business, as crowds were in attendance every night. It will eontinue week of Sth. At the Park, Bertha Creighton started her starring tour in “A Colonial Girl,’ and met with a hearty:‘reception and liberal patron age. Week of Sth the attraction announced is Codfish Aristocracy.’’ At the National, “The King of Detectives” did fairly well, and the next attraction is “The Prince of Honor.’ At the Peoples, *“‘Human Hearts” is as successful as on its first production here, and week of Sth will see Jack Farrell’s tirst appearance as a star in this city. He will be seen in Wallick’s “Cattle King,”’ and as he was a popular leading man at a stock house here for three seasons, he should do an enormous week's business. Keith's Theater had a very large week with Nat M. Wills as the bright particular star. Ibumont’s Minstrels are packing them in at the Eleventh Street Opera House, and the stock houses have all done a big week’s business. At Forepaugh’s, ‘‘The Girl of My Heart’’ made good, and will be foilowed by “Through the Breakers.”’ At the Girard, “Diplomacy’’ was given a sumptuous production, and is to be followed by ‘‘Esmeralda.”” At the Standard, ‘“‘The Power of Love’ pleased the patrons, and underlined is ‘“‘We ’Uns of Tennessee,’’ Carrie Radcliffe has met with a fair amount of success at her new Columbia Theater, having produced “The Galiey Slave’ for the first week, and will follow it with “The Land of the Midnight Sun.”’ The Trocadero opened on the Ist with Dainty Paree Burlesquers, and had big houses all week. It will be followed by “Wine, Women and Song.’ The other burlesque houses, which are playing the shows of the association, are both doing well. At the Lyceum Theater the Merry Maidens will be followed by the Moonlight Maids, and at the Star Martell’s Brigadier Company gives way to the Parisian Widows. The Museum opened this Saturday with a sensational outside attraction that stopped street cars and packed the sidewalks. The same policy as _ last season will be adhered to—curios and vaudeville. GOSSIP. Nat M. Wills is making one of the biggest hits ever known in vaudeville. His tramp specialty is entirely new, and be is constantly changing his parodies. He joins the Orpheum Specialty Company on Sept. 29 for the season, and next season will star in a new farce comedy, under the management of Broadhurst & Currie. Thomas Grady is managing the stage for Murray & Mack’s ‘“‘Night on Broadway” company, and he has drilled the large company in a masterly manner. He will, no doubt, receive a big reception when the company plays New Orleans, as he was a popular member of a stock company in that city for three years. George Mellville and William Ruge will take out a “Next Door’? company, opening in the West in October. As both are well-known pantominists, their chances for success ure good. Business at Atlantic City keeps good for theatrical attractions. ‘‘Lover’s Lane’ is still doing a big business. John Young, of the Pier, will play big companies fur a week at a time all winter. Frank Hubin will keep his Gypsy Camp open for another month, and if patronage keeps up, may remain open all winter. The variety theaters will close this week. BOB WATT. CINCINNATI. Week Opens Auspiciously -Remodeling of Grand Almost Completed. Notwithstanding the warm evenings the early part of last week, the local attractions played to fair houses, and later, as the thermometer fell, the crowds increased. At the Walnut, “‘Sweet Clover’ was the attraction, and took well with the people, as was shown by the box-office receipts. The first week at the Columbia was also fairly prosperous, while People’s, the Lyceum, Heuck’s and Robinson’s all enjoyed an encouraging patronage. At the Walnut this week “Mr. Jolly of Joliet” holds the boards. Mr. Edward Garvie, who plays the title role in the extravaganza, is admirably fitted for the part, and is supported by a good company, in which are such well-known names as John Allison, F. Julian Byrd, Frank Baldwin, Chas. Hardman, Ada Deaves, Madge Lawrence, Maude Allison, Mollie Thompson, and an excellent chorus. The plot is conventional and the setting poor, but Mr. Garvie is a comedian who could entertain on a bare platform. The show will no doubt draw good houses all week. There is a nice blend of singing, dancing, comedy and acrobatic acts at the Columbia this week,”’ relieved by a clever sketch, and ending with the biograph pictures. On the whole, it is a show that will stand comparison with the best seen in that theater in a long time. The bill includes the Russell Brothers, who produce a clever Irishservant-girl sketch; the four Martinettis, O. K. Gato, the comedy juggler; the LoweHughes trio, in a musical act; Mr. and Mrs. Neil Litchfield, in a rural sketch: Mr. and Mrs. Swikard, in a singing turn; Lizzie and Vinnie Daly, dancers, and the Young American Quintet. The biograph, with a new series of pictures, ends the show. At People’s the Topsy Turvy Burlesquers are making a big hit this week. The performance is good throughout, and does not lag at any moment. The opening and closing burlesques go good with the audience. Sam Rice is the principal amusement star in the burlesque, and he, with several able assistants, keep the house in an uproar The olio is refreshing, and includes Little Frankie Emmett; Keno, Welsh and Melrose, in a comedy acrobatic sketch; tjurt Fuller, monologuist; Williams and Aleene, comedy act, and Georgia Cunningham and Eleanor Revere in a soubrette act. At the Lyceum, Lincoln J. Carter’s “The Eleventh Hour’ is playing to capacity houses. The play is replete with exciting situations and climaxes, and the last act ends in a genuine smash-up of furniture, bric-a-brac, lamps, jardinieres, ete. It is the kind of a play always appreciated by the Lyceum audiences, and they applaud the show to the limit. James H. Wallick’s latest production, entitled ‘“‘The Queen of the Highway,” was presented to Cincinnati people the first time at Heuck’s, Sunday. The play is in four acts and seven scenes, and the novelty introduced by it is a female bandit. The piece is startling and thrilling, and the old stage hold-up, the hero’s fight for life in Echo Canyon, the burning of Manitoba and the exciting scenes in “Hell Kitchen” are the most notable of the incidents of the play. Belle Diamond, the female bandit, is portrayed by Miss Charlotte Severson in an able and spirited manner. Frank Killday, as Bob Sherwood, the pony express rider; J. L. Ungerer, as a renegade Indian, and Arthur Sprague, as Oscar Lilly, a tenderfoot, all give good accounts of themselves. The offering of the Spooner Stock Company at Robinson's Opera House for thts week, commencing Monday afternoon, Sept. 8. is George C. Hazleton’s charming com. edy, ‘‘Mistress Nell.’’ Much of the scenery and all the costumes were secured in New York, and are historically accurate. The Tuesday afternoon receptions bid fair to become as popular here as in Mrs. Spoon er’s Brooklyn theater, where they are attended by the best people of the city. Souvenirs are given away each Friday matinee. Last Friday Mrs. Spooner, who is a prominent member of the Daughters of the Eastern Star, gave a reception to abort three hundred members, and the ladies gave her a very handsome present. The attendance during the past week has been very large, Manager Payton states, and although the company has been here only a week, it has become very popular. melodramatic The Zoo management inaugurated quite an innovation Sunday by the illumination of the garden as far as the carnivora and the carousal at night. This enables visitors to view the animals at night, and as here tofore the concerts and the Hagenbecx trained animals were the only amusements in the evening, this move ought to prove immensely popular. The attendance at the Zoo Sunday was another record-breaker. Sunday was German Day at Chester Pari and a great outpouring was expected, but all calculations were exceeded, and the best records for this annual event were equaled, if not excelled. This is the final week, and a special bill has been prepared. The Cycle Whirl is a feature. The vaudeville theater, is up to the usual standard. The park remains open, including next Sunday, Sept. 14, with the same attractions. Consternation was created in certain circles in Cincinnati last week, when an early morning blaze at the Music Hall called out the Queen City’s fire department in full force, as the Musie Hall is to be Exposition Building at the coming Fall Festival. However, the blaze was confined to the southern end of the building, and the adjoining Odeon was totally destroyed. The southern wing of the Music Hall also suffered, but the damage here was not great. The damage to the Odeon, including that of the Music Hall, entails a loss of $200,000. This is partially covered by insurance. It was feared at first that the fire would delay the opening of the Festival, but this was contradicted by an announcement of the directors, immediately after the fire, which stated that the preparations now going on were not affected in the least. Several tents have so far been erected in Washington Park, a bridge has been constructed, connecting the park with the Exposition Building, and everything points to the fact that there will be something doing in Cincinnati the next two weeks. BUFFALO, N. Y. Teck Theater, (John Laughlin, Mgr.)— Harrison Grey Fiske presented Hazelton's comedy, “Capt. Molly,”’ the past week to excellent business, Elizabeth Tyree taking the part of Molly. Mabel Dixey, Josepha Crowell, John W. Albough, Jr., Wm. Hazeltine and Lynn Pratt were part of the cast. The comedy is in four acts, and the mounting was quite picturesque. Al. H. Wilson and company open to-night in **A Prince in Tatters,’’ and the lookout ahead is good. Star Theater, (John R. Stirling, Mgr.)— House closed the past week. The next attraction will be Ward and Vokes. Lyceum Theater, (E. W. Oviatt, 1+ cal Mer.)—Dan and Charles A. Mason, tn ‘‘Rndolph and Adolph,’ had great success the past week. . They are clever German comedians, being good singers and dancers, and supported by a good company and a strong chorus. The piece is a good one to show their talent. ‘“‘The Road to Ruin’’ was the opening attraction to-night. Academy Theater, (Dr. Peter C. Cornell, Local Mgr.)—**Not Guilty’ was well depict ed the past week by a well-selected company. The piece is one in which vice gets left and leaves good in possession. “A Desperate Chance’ was put on to-night with good clientage. Lafayette Theater, (Chas. Baggs, Mgr.1— The Knickerbockers, Louis Robie’s big show, were up to date the past week, and busivess ruled fine. Samson and Delila, noted for their feats of balancing; Frank Finney proved a good comedian; the Kntckerbocker Quartette sang in a melodious way; Kipp astonished all by his dexterity; McDonald and Cody were funny; Waller and Magill made a hit in the **Pistol Card.” “Daisy Doogan’s Deboo” and ‘‘The Isle of Dinky Doo’? were the opening and closing burlesques, and made up an excellent bill Clark’s Royal Burlesquers kept open house en and the bill presented will pan out well. Shea's Garden Theater, (M. Shea, Mgr.)— People the past week were Fanny Rice, Sandor Trio, Seven Reed Birds, Lew Sully, Juggling Normans, Rae and Brosche, Doherty Sisters, Van and Egbert, and Kintograph. Business was fair and the show moderate. MeIntyre and Heath and a fairly good company open to-night. Fenton's Theater, (Geo. Shady, Mgr.‘\— Business on the pick up. People the past week were Estelle Lewis, Hattie Whitney, Wayne and Lamar, Amber Montague; Shady, Harrison and Shepard. Tivoli Theater, (Schmidt & Son, Mgrs.)— People here the past week: Rose Hennesey, Ida Grace, Watson and Watson, Frank Attridge. Attendance good and _ talent meritorious. NOTES. The Hamberg (N. Y.) fair comes off Sept. 8-13. Prizes to the amount of $10,000 will be given. The leading feature will be racing, W. H. Barnes’ diving elks, the Bonner Horse Show and the Aerial Stewarts. Carlisle Graham, the hero of Niagara, swam the whirlpool rapids to Lewiston, N. x., Aug. 31 over the old course. Big crowds saw the feat. Frank Tanner is his manager. ‘“‘A Standard Article’’ has its premier at Warren, Pa., Sept. 9, with Alma Stirling as the star. Much is expected of the piece, and it reads good. John R. Stir ling has an oil painting of “Sis Hopkins,” which he prizes highly as a work of art. During a transfer at Niagara Falls Aug. 51 a Grand Trunk coach containing the members of the “Wine, Woman and Song’’ company was run into by a wild-cat freight ear, and nine of the people were more or less hurt Mme. Blauvelt will sing with Lund’s Philharmonic Orchestra at the “Pop” concert at Convention Hall, Sept. *. At Shea’s this week the Three Sisters Maearte, “‘The Fairy Serenade,’”’ Mark Sulhvan, Howard and Bland; Reynard, Scott and Nelson helped out the bill. JOHN 8S. RICHARDSON. DETROIT. MICH. Avenue Theater, (H. Lamkin, Mzgr.)—B. F. Gallagher and trene Held, comedy artists; Rita Redmond, singing novelty: Chas. Leon ard Fletcher and Reata Winfield, in “At the Stage Door: Hugh Stanton and Florence Modena, presenting ‘‘Reform:’’ MeMahon & Chapelle, in songs and dances; Will H. Fox, comedian pianist; Bonnie Thornton, singing comedienne: Bailey and Madison, grotesque comiques and the American vitagraph. The show at the avenue is a very good one, and has been playing to packed houses, Empire Theater, (Chas. Sertzman, Mgr.)— Sept. 1, David Higgins, in “* Up fork Stute.”’ Sept. 7, Mason and Mason. Wonderland and Temple Theater, (J. H. Moore, Mgzr.)—Mamie Grant an Coley Grant, in ‘A Georgetown Flirtation;” Scott and Wilson, the farmer and athlete; Imro Fox, the comique conjurer; Pony Ballet, singing and dancing; Fratelli Riecobono’s trained dogs and horses; The Three Adaminis, French musical masqueraders; Arthur and Jennie Dunn, in ‘The Messenger Boy;” Chas. A. Loder, German dialect comedian; Hlitl and Silviany, daring bicyclists. The show at the Temple Theater is the best one ever seen here, and has been playing to packed houses. Whitney Opera House, (Chas. Altman, Mgr.)—Sept. 1, “At Cripple Creek.”’ Sept. 7, “Across the Pacific.’’ Empire Theater, (Dr. Campbell, Sept. 1, Rose Hill Folly Company. Trans-Atlantic Burlesquers. GEO. W. RENCHARD. BALTIMORE, MD. The weather has been close and humid and has been a great help to the parks. The Odeon, (Mr. James Madison, Mgr.)— The season began Mn auspicuously Aug. The opening burletta, Mgr.)— Sept. 7, 30. “The Garden Party,” introduces the entire company. In the olio are Frank Leonard, Clark and Gandy, Miss Sadie Hart, Quigg and Cain. The concluding burlesque is ‘Old Age and Youth.” Holliday Street Theater, (Messrs. Kernan, Rife & Houck, Mgrs.)\—‘The Span of Life” opened Sept. 1. The “Road to Ruin” played to S. R. O. business Aug. 25-30. The company gave quite a creditable performance. Sept. 8-13, “The Great White Diamond.” Monumental Theater, (Mr. James L. Kernan, Mgr.)—Harry Bryant's Burlesquers began Sept. 1. The Utopian had quite a suecessful week Aug. 25-30. The Merry Maiden Company follows Sept. 8-13. Auditorium Music Hall, (Mr. Kernan, Megr.)—The season began with “Hunting for Hawkins,”’ with Mr. William Friend in the leading role. Fisher and Carroll, in ‘That's All,”’ follows Sept. 8-13. James L. Electric Park, (Mr. Wm. Morris, Mgr.)— An excellent bill is presented, including Three Great Rixford Brothers, European acrobats; Three Westons, musical comedy; Palfrey and Hilton, bicyclists; Nora Bayes, female bariton; Cadieux, wire artist, and the vitagraph. Special for Saturday matinee and night: Carrie Nation, the tenses joint smasher and her little hatchet. The opening of the season at Ford's Opera House is announced for Sept. 8 The attraction will be Paul Armstrong's ‘‘St. Ann,” a comedy drama. It is described as being a thoroughly modern story of artist life, a tale of love and Bohemia. It is a story of a young girl who had fallen and who finally redeems herself after due explanation. “The Defender,” a musical comedy, will follow. SLYVAN SCHENTHAL. AMERICUS, GA. Glover's Opera House, (Jones & Dudley, Mgrs.)—After five months of darkness this house will open under brighter prospecis than ever Sept. 8 with the ever-popula: Woodford Stock Company, which comes for one week. The house has been given a thorough renovating, and on account of the city going “wet’’ in the last election, the managers are counting on the yargest busi ness ever done in this house. A great many fine attractions have been booked, and among them are some of the best on the road. The seenie force employed last season, With one or two exceptions, will be employed this season, and your correspondent can safely say that it will be a recordbreaking season and one long to be remembered by all. The management deserves great credit for booking such a fine lot of attractions, and the theatergoers should certainly show their appreciation by giving them good houses. The Elks of Americus, Ga., are going to have one of the greatest carnivals ever held in the history of Americus the first week in November. The Cincinnati Carnival Company will furnish the attractions, and this alone is enough to guarantee a fine show. No expense will be spared toward making it the greatest carnival ever held in Georgia The Woodford Stock Company, now show ing in Columbus, Ga., has received more tine newspaper notices than any other show that has ever appeared there. Sells Bros. & Forepaugh’s Circus will visit Americus, Ga., Nov. 1. JOHN B. FELDER, JR. LOUISVILLE, KY. Macauley’s Theater, (John T. Macauley, Mer )—Preparations are being made for the opening of this house Sept. 10. The season will be inaugurated by Al. G. Field. Temple Theater, (John D. Hopkins, Mgr.) ~Manager Hopkins has announced bis opening for Sept. 10. Considerable money has been spent in remodeling and beautifying the building. Buckingham Theater, (Whallen’ Bros., Mers.)—Packed houses have been the rule. The World Beaters were the attraction Watson's Americans due next week. Shadyside Park, (C. F. Rhodes, Mgr.)-Favor seems to smile on this resort, big crowds attending all performances. Pug Reynolds, Bob Mason, Kittie Shaw, Iola Evans and Stork is the bill for the current week. NOTES. It is an assured fact that the American Attraction Company will open a park here Representatives of the company have been in the city for several weeks and finally closed a deal for ground in the Highlands. Graders will be put to work soon to shape the place. Contracts will be let for various attractions, ete. A _ loop-the-loop, seenic road, aquarama, Ferris Wheel, bathing