The Billboard 1904-02-20: Vol 16 Iss 8 (1904-02-20)

THE BILLBOARD CORRESPONDENCE NOTIOE.—The Biilboard desires a corr eat in every city and town i the United States which is not here represented. CHICAGO. After an unwelcome and unlooked-for inter ruption of a month, in what should have been the very busiest part of the season, followed by the equally unlooked-for tragedy in the newest of the theatres, some of the playhouses in Chicago began their re-opéning during the week just closed. Ilinois—From the moment Henry Irving appeared on the stage Monday night in the role of Shylock until the new steel curtain descended on the last act of The Merchant of Venice. he dominated the entire representation and hel)! his large audience in rapt attention. While there were no radical changes to the eye as regards improvements in the auditorium, the management welcomed its patrons to a playhouse sanctioned by the city authorities, bunt it was rather too cold for comfort. It ought not to be necessary for a house to be fireproof that it should not be proof against pneumonia. Garrick—The Garrick was reopened to the public Sunday night, the very large audience present demonstrating quite plainly that the old Sunday night friends of the house had not forgotten it when the opportunity came to attend. The attraction for the opening was the musical comedy, -Winsome Winnie. ‘The musical score is generally well written with a view to popular effect. Paula Edwardes, who impersonates the soubrette who masquerades athe heiress, carries the larger share of the burden, though she is not precisely ‘‘the whol¢ show.’’ The principal singing part is taken by Miss Cascillia Rohde, who uses quite a pleasing mezzo voice with considerable effect. The entertainment is bright and in its way entertaining for both eye and ear, Grand—Having met the immediate requirements of the city authorities and given then sutticient hostages for compliance with other requirements within specified time, the Grand was reopened Tuesday night for regular per formances, presenting Captain Barrington, with Charles Richman, who is personally and pro fegsionally known in Chicago in the stelluy part. Mr. Richman plays the two brothers alternating from the devil-may-care’ British captain to the grave, serene, American patriot. It is a very clever and adroit bit of work, but considered as art, hardly equal to what he has done in other plays. There was a fairl; large audience and a good deal of very genuine applause. Next: The Darling of the Gods. MecVicker’s—That the name of Tolstoi car ries much drawing power in spite of his bruta! eandor in handling social themes, was evidenced in MeVicker’s Sunday night by the size of th: audience that greeted Miss Blanche Walsh's return as Maslova in Resurrection. It was in September last that Miss Walsh first appeared in the play at the same theatre, and its run of three weeks stamped it as one of the strongest drawing cards of the new season. Trotadero—The Trocadero was not permitted to open Sunday as announced. The management thought that, with all changes made and a profuse equipment of stand pipes and hose that it had all the requirements, but the authorities insist on the roof tanks also, and it ts hoped to have them in place to open Thursday night. NOTES. W. J. Jossey, late of the Elliott Stock Company of Chicago, has joined the Huntley-Moore Stock Company at Atlantic City, N. : Chieago its still overrun with unemployed performers. A. H, HART. BROOKLYN. Montauk (Frank M. Hoyt, Mgr.) Mr. Richard Mansfield was seen in a magnificent production of Old Heidelberg. Mr. Mansfield’s support was good and the cast was the same as was seen in the play during the engagement in the Manhattan. Business was to capacity houses all the week. An extra matinee was given on Friday (Lincoln’s birthday). The attraction for week of Feb. 15 will be The Earl of Pawtucket. Aimphion (S. H. Cohen, Mgr.) Frank Daniels. in The Office Boy, was the attraction for week of & The company is the same is it was when it was seen at another theatre in Brooklyn a few weeks ago. The opening house was erowded and most enthusiastic. Next: Virginia Earle in Sergeant Kitty. Grand (Lew Parker, Mgr.) Forrester and Mittenthal presented Miss Florence’ Bindley. The Girl with the Diamond Dress, in the new. up-to-date melodrama, A Midnight Marriage. The company and production was a good one; in fact, it was one of the best companies eve! seen in Brooklyn at popular prices. Miss Nettie Bourne, who is well known in Brooklyn, way seen in the cast. The attraction drew biz crowds all the week. Next. Ralph Stuart, in By ight of Sword, followed by Kelcy-Shav non Company. Folly (Bennett Wilson, Mgr.) The Ninety and Nine was the offering at this house for week of 8. The company was headed by Fred erick Hartley and Marion Ballou, who have strong support The produetion has lost none of its drawing powers, us the house was packed every night. The production is given on th same lavish style as it was at the Academy of Music in Manhattan. Next: Joe Welsh, in The Peddler. Columbia (Dave A. Weis, Mgr.) Herman the Great ig the attraction this week. His new tricks and illusions were wonderful, and he certainly can be called the greatest prestidigi tator of the age. In addition to Prof. Herman’s entertainment, several first-class vandeville numbers were given. Business excellent all week. Next: M'liss. Park (Nick Norton, Mgr.) Forrester and Mittenthal are presenting two of their attractions to Brooklyn theatre-goers this week, A Midnight Marriage is at the Grand, while A Desperate Chance is the attraction at this house The piece and company are well known ir Brookiyn. Business was good all the week the house being packed twice daily. Next: If Women Were Men. Gotham (Chas. Williams, Mgr.) The Chil.’ Slaves of New York was the attraction thiweek. The company was a good one and prove: to be a strong drawing one. The Sunday concerts were well patronized. This house has become very popular in East New York, anc the S. R. O. sign ig often seen. Next: Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The Spooner Bijou (Will McAllister, Mgr.) Stock Company presented The World Against Her week of 8 As usual, the house was packed on the opening night, and no doubt but geod business will be the rule for the week. Next week the stock compuny will produce Bonuie Scotland. Novelty (Vavid Robinson, Mgr.) Her Marriage Vow, oue of Vance and Sullivan's attractious, Was the olfering this week. ‘The altraction proved to be a strong drawing one aud ihe house Was packed long before the curtain Wug rung up on the opening night. The company Was a good One aud tie scenery very beautiful. The Sunday coucerts were well patronized. Next: Driven from Howe. Orpheum (Percy G. Williams, Mgr.) The Orpheum patrong had another opportunity of seeing this week Marie Dressler and the Walter C. Kelly Company in a travesty on the comedy now running in Manhattan, Sweet Nitty Bellairs. Mr. Emmett Corrigan and company presenied for the first time in Brooklyn Oliver J. White’s comedy, The Pot and the Kettle. Mr. Chas. ‘t. Aldrich presented his comedy juggling act; Cole & Jobusen presented several lew songs; Galeti’s monkeys did a clever animal act, Kitamura Japanese Troupe made a big it; Miss Wynne Winslow sang some very gvvu songs; Bube Lund pleased in a wouologue; Latieur presented his acrobatic act, and the Vitagraph closed the show. Business is excelleut and the S. R. O. sign is frequeutly seen before the curtain igs rung up, ilyde & Bebman’s (Archie H. Ellis, Mgr.) European acts are the principal features at this house this week. The bill was a very good one and the usual large business was doue. The headliner was Kosuario Guerrero, one of the most beautiful and accomplished actresses of Spain, wio appeared in an artistic creation in pantomime, The Dagger and the Rose. Mary Hampton and company made a hit in their act called The Melodrama; West and Van Siclin present a novelty in the way of a musical act, Geo. eno’s Comedians presented a clever comedy acrobatic act; Fiske and McDonough were seen in their sketch, Brocky’s Temptation, a stury of the pathetic side of slum life. Cook and Sonora, the favorites at this house, made good as usual, The Yankee Comedy Four present their clever musical and comedy act. The extra attraction was the first appearance in America of Paul Spadoni, who juggles everything, from an egg to a pony cart. This act Was one of the best ever seen on this stage. Next the bill will be Clayton White and Marit Stuurt, Chus. Kenna, Crawford and Manning, fhe Four Bards, Leona Thurber and her pickaninnies, Kelly and Kent, Four Emperors ot Music, Sisters Gausch and Gillett’s Dogs. Payton’s Lee Avenue Theatre (Fred D. Aadrews, Mgr.) Mr. Corse Payton presented one of J. K. Tillottson’s plays, Queena, this week. fhe play was one of the best seen at this house this season and the production was elegantly staged. Etta Reed Payton appeared in the title role, Mr. Kirk Brown as the husband and Mr. Joseph Girard ag his cousin. Miss Florence Gear, Miss Grace Fox and Mr, Richard Crollus and the remainder of the stock company wer seen. The house was packed on the opening night and good business should be the rule for the week. Next week the stock company will produce Between Love and Duty, Fulton Street Theatre (Frank A. Keeney, Lessee and Mer.) This house, formerly Payton’s Fulton Street Theatre at Grand Ave. and Fulton Street, has been leased by Mr. Frank A. Keeney, the popular music publicher, who will present refined vaudeville at popular prices. Matinees will be given daily, with concerts every Sunday afternoon and evening. Mr. Keeney intends to make this theatre essentially a resort for families. Women and childrea will especially be catered to. The house opens on Feb. 15 with the following: Geo. Hoey. Robt. Eliott and Marguerite Fields in their comedy sketch, What's the Matter with Toston? H, V. Fitzgerald, Sisters Meredith, Shorty and Lillian De Witt, Hoey and Lee, Maude Kennedy, St. Join and Le Fevre, Vitascope. and ag an extra attraction, the Four Rianos in Fun in a Zoo. The prices are: evenings, lv, 20, 30 and 5U cents; matinee prices: 10, 15 and 25 cents. Star (E. M. Gotthold, Mgr.) The Kentucky selles Burlesque Company was the attraction for week of 8. Two good burlesques were given, The Marriage Trust and Down Where the Blu Grass Grows. The olio wag made up of several sood acts. Business good. Cherry Blossoms Burlesque Co, next. Gayety (James Clark, Mgr.) The Behman Show, with the following all headliner acts, wag the offering at this house: Russell Bros and company, Burton and Brooks, the Three Livingstons, James Thornton, Sullivan and Pasquelena, Carson and Willard, Hines and Vance Rossow Midgets, Charlie Rossow, and as an extra attraction, Felix and Barry. Business was excellent all the week. The Behman Show aiways draws big crowds at this house. Next: The Keutucky Belles. Watson’s (W. B. Watson, Mgr.) A _ very good b... was presented at this popular buresque house. The bill was headed by Prevo and St. Belmo. the comedy jugglers: McIntyre and Primrose, Kennedy and James, Jas. Cullin, Barto and Lafferty, and Belle Gordon. A new burlesque was given by the stock company, in which Mr. Elmer Tenley, Ed Adams, Joan juinn and W. B. Watson and the entire stock company were seen. Business continues exevlent and Manager Watson believes in giving tis patrons a very good show. The burlesque offering for this week at Watson’s Theatre fs a new one, the theme of which has been drawn from the moet fertile field of humor, the newspaper cartoonist. Like many other § fancifu) creations of the artist’s brain, that diminutive individual, Mr. Peewee, whose adventures have amused thousands of readerg of the daily press will furnish much amusement for the patrons of the Cozy Corner. _Phillips Lyceum (Lonis Phillips, Mgr.) The Lyceum Stock Company presented Resurrection to packed houses week of 8. NOTES. Mr. W. R. Burgess, the popular advertising representative of Hyde & Behman'’s Adams Street house, will celebrate bis birthday which comes on Feb. 29. Mr. Burgess’ friends be lieve he is entitled to celebrate an occasion of this kind, as it comes only once in four years. Mr. Peter Moore, the treasurer of Watson's Cozy Corner Theatre, has left this position Mr. Moore had many friends connected with this house and they all regret that he has left. The boys in front of the house made him 1 present on leaving. Manager Archie H. Ellis, whot has been {1) for several weeks, {is now back at Hyde & Behman’s Adams Street house. Mr. Frank M. Hoyt announces that the following attractions will appear at the Montauk during the season. Maxine Elliott, The Girl from Kay’s, Lulu Glaser, Nancy Broyn, Anna ae aati . — nares Reld, William H. Crane and several others. Business is very good at the Montauk and the a has been a very prosperoug one at this ,0use, Business is on the increase at the Columbia, and every week the receipts grow greater. Mr. Weis has booked Kate Claxton in The Two Orphans for week of 22, followed by The Power of the Cross. Forrester and Mittenthal’s two attractions that are playing Brooklyn this week are getting big money. Their shows are all box oifice winners. The Polytechnic Dramatic Association, a local amateur dramatic association, produced The Private Secretary to good houses at Payton’s Fulton Street house on Wednesday and Thursduy evenings. Millie Akerstrom was seen in Our New Girl on Friday and Saturday evenings Miss Marie Tempest will be seen at the Montauk Theatre week of 22 and the advance sale is Jarge. GEO. H. HAKES. PHILADELPHIA. Well, the war is over, and for the first time in the history of the theatrical business the theatres have won. The victory is all the mor: remarkable from the fact that the theatres were engaged in a fight with the newspapers of this city—not one, but all the daily papers in town, with the exception of one. Ag has already been stated in, these columns, all of the prominent newspapefs formed a combination that not only increased the price of advertising, but also made it obligatory to take a certain amount of space daily. A number of other hardships were !mposed by the new regulations. The managers held a meeting, and for once nearly all of thew agreed to stand together. Only three houses remained out of this combination. Then the man agers took the bull by the horns, and the Sun day before the new regulations were to go int effect withdrew all their advertising from thes¢ papers. They then used the Sunday issue of th *“‘New York Herald’’ and the columns of the on daily paper here and one Sunday paper that ha, not gone into this combination, to make their announcements. They even went further than this. They had eight-sheet posters printed, teil ing the public why they did not advertise in th papers, and every house had posters in front o* the stage, telling the audiences why they did not advertise. On the program of each house or o: slips distributed to the audiences were the an nouncements of all the theatres with the attrac tions for the following week. The public becam: interested. They saw that the newspapers wer: imposing on the theatres, and soon the paper» were deluged with letters asking why the the atres did not advertise. Circulation dropped off with some of the papers, and the managers of the papers came to the conclusion that they ha bitten off more than they could chew. Quiletl; this week it was tipped off to the theatres tha: the hatchet had been buried and that they coul! come back into the newspaper camp without any of the stringent regulations hanging over thei heads. They all cheerfully acquiesced, and so on Thursday of this week the public were regaled with the criticisms of the different performances Things will go along now much smoother thar hefore. It was a well organized and well exeeuted plan, and for once an association of man ‘gers stuck together. It may mean the formation of a managér’s elunb who will take up al affairs of this kind, and it will be productive of much good, The theatre fire commissioners appointed by the mayor are still stirring up a little trouble vith the different houses. Many of the the atres have faithfully complied with all the reg niations of the commissioners and are await ing their licenses, which have been withhel¢ by the mayor. Some of the theatres claim that certain suegestions made by these commission ers are foolish and impracticable and say they will not make them. The commissioners clain thet they will appeal to the mayor to close the honses if the regulations are not carrie into effect at once. It is expected that a compromise will be made, as the fire scare is about over here. The frightful disaster In Raltimore appealed strongly to our people. Assistance was sent from here at once. Reports from there state that busiress in the theatrical line will bv rnined for the rest of the season, and it {fs doubted if business will be good there for man vears to come. Although no theatres were destrored, the ones that are open are apt to draw but poorly for the next year, and the com hinations who are playing theatres here and have dates to follow fn Baltimore are seriously thinking of eancelling them. Business is picking up in this city, and now that the newspaper war is over, the chances are that business will be good for the balance of the season. Broad Street Theatre—The last week of Blanche Pates In The Darling of the Gods has resulted In enormong bnsiness. Miss Bates gave one performance of Hedda Gabler on Friday Feb. 12. Fay Davis In The Whitewashing of Julia next. Garrick Theatre—Fritzi Scheff made a_ big hit in Babette, opening a three weeks’ engage ment &. Chestnut Street Opera Honse—The Rogers Prothers in Tondon pleased enormons honses all week at advanced prices, and will continue for two more weeks, Chestnnt Street Theatre—Marie Tempest, 1n The Marriage of Kitty, opened, 8, for two weeka, Walnnt Street Theatre—Mrs. Wicgs of the Cobbage Patch hag dust completed a_ thres weeks’ engagement at this honse, and {ft has heen a series of artistic and financte! trinmphe Charles Grapewin, in The Awakening of Mr vipp, next. Anditoerinm Theatre—The Show Girl attracted fair andiences. 8, and will be sneceeded br Arizona. Pusiness st this honse keeps up shove the nenal standerd of the town. Park Theatre—Soldiers of Fortune has had a fair two weeks’ business and will be followed hy Onur New Minister. Grand Onera Hlonse—The White Slave proved Its elaim to hetng a monev-winner by drawing wood honses all week. Fuster Prown, with the Six Visiea! Cuttrs, as an added feature. next Notional Thestre—Ruman Hearts Is the at traction. and Florence Rindley, in A Midnicht Marrisve. will follow. Peonle’s Thestre—Thronch Fire and Water will be followed by the Worst Woman In LonAdon. Kensington Thestre—New York Dav by Dar fe the oettraction for thia week. and The Fleventh Honr will be next. Pnsiness very good Columbia Theatre—TPnetness fa onle frir rt this honee, Where The County Fair 1s the bill. At Crinple Creek next, Standard Theatre—RPnsiness very good at this house. The stock company is producing the King of the Desert this week and they will put on The Deserted Bride next. Forepaugh'’s Theatre—The stock company is still doing well at this house. Sporting Life is the attraction this week, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame will be the next offering. Keith's Chestnut Street Theatre—Refineg vaudeville continues to do big business at this house and will be continued Iindefinitely. Keith's TijouTheatre—Big bills of vaudeville continue to please the large crowds that attend this theatre. Eleventh Street Opera House—Dumont’s Minstrels are packing this cozy ttle house every night. Arch Street Theatre—-The German Stock Company are drawing fair sized houses, with change of bill twice a week. ‘Trocadero Theatre—Burlesque continues to attract overflowing houses, turnaways beipg frequent. The Bowery Burlesquers are doing remarkably well this week. Lyceum Theatre—Burlesque continues. Rose Hill will be followed by Watson’s American Burlesquers. Star Theatre—The new policy of stock burlesque ig attracting goodly sized crowds. A good olio ig given every week with new burlesques. Museum—Business keeps up to the standard at this house. BOB WATT. BOSTON. At the Hollis Street Theatre, 8, Charles Hawtrey and his company presented for the first time in this country Saucy Sally, a lively, funny, clever, out-and-out faree, pure and simple, as refreshing as it was frank. The spectator ig called upon to accept the extravagances of the scheme in its sum and not its detafla. There is little or nothing to jar upon the sense of delight. The acting matches the merit of the play, Mr. Hawtrey leading, of course. All the other characters are well rendered. Madame Charlotte Wiehe and her company began the second week of their engagement at the Globe Theatre before a good audience. La Main and three other plays of her repertoire were presented In French. Her acting made a pronounced hit, which ought to crowd the thetre during the remainder of her engagement. She is excellently supported. ue production of The Bowery After Dark was given at the Grand Opera House. It is always popular with the masses. Terry MeGovern, the one-time champion featherweight f the world, ts supported by Mrs. MeGovern, iis charming little wife, which makes the show a double header. Mrs. McGovern made a hit. She is pleasant In her manner and her style ind abilicy fit well the part she takes. At the Hub this week is given Two Little Waifs. It scored a pronounced hit, for it is a well constructed, at times pathetic play, full of humorous situations. The scenery is worthy of special mention. The cast is first class, each member filling his role admirably. Miss Nance O'Niel’s afternoon performances at the Tremont are proving a distinct novelty to the gratitude of theatre-goers who are filling the place to its capacity. Camille has proven a most popular play. Much interest is being manifested in Miss O'Neill's appearance in “omedy which she takes up this week, J. K. Murray and Clara Lane, who are familiar to Boston theatre-goers, offer ArrahNa-Pogue at the Majestic Theatre, supported by . good cast, which is unusually well vaianced, The Three Little Maids opened at the Coloniai Theatre before a thoroughly large and representative andience. Mr. G. P. Huntley scored a personal hit. Mr. Huntley seems to be the whole show. Because of his remarkable talent ‘'s a comedian he stands far above all his fel‘tows in the vehicle He is a splendid artist, sensitive in temperament, quick to see and to grasp the opportunities for effect and skilled ind intelligent enough not to make the effort apparent. The play is about the experiences of three daughters of a country clergyman !n their game of love against society. The music is of light nature, full of tuneful melodies, clean, harmonious and catchy rhymes. I an\icipate a good run for the production. The Ben Greet Company play this week at the Colonial Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, These players have put this community under a great many obligations for the many fine performances that ther have given In this city the past few weeks at Chickering Hall. Willie Collier appeared at the Park Theatre in The Dictator and wags received very favorably. Collier ig decidedly good as the American with a faculty for getting into trouble and getting out again. He is well supported by his wife, Louise Allen, and a good cast. Driven from home fs the production at Musie Hall. It is a drama of absorbing interest with a straightforward story of a maid, after many ardships and trials, finally finding for herself happiness. The plece is splendidly staged. Lyceum Theatre presents burlesque, The Morning Glories. This Is a regular yearly proSaction and gives the audience the best in ‘ts ne. Columbia Theatre—Miss Rebecca Warren, in Tes of the D'Urbervilles. Her success has already been established. Miss Warren, in the title role, scored a personal triumph ang the support given her wag of the highest order of merit. Reduced prices at this theatre and the new policy Inaugurated at this house ought to bring crowded houses, Tremont Theatre—Lew Dockstader’s Minstrels opened at the Tremont Theatre and presented a good minstrel entertainment. Mr. Dockstader himself, of course, is the bright, particular estar, NOTES. Sandy Miller ts here representing Three Little Maids. The show hag been well advertised. That is because he Is with It, John Sheehan, ahead of Dockstader, ig another hustling agent. All shows should have as consclentiong and sincere workers as he fs. Charlie Harris, advertising agent of the Boston Theatre, says he was In the business ten years before Charlle MeGeachy did the litho‘raphing for the first Tremont Theatre in Boston. OLD SOUTH. EALTIMORE. Fire broke ont In one of the largest wholesale houses In the business district about 11 o'clock a. m., Sunday, Feb. 7, and resulted tn one of the most destructive conflagrations of modern times. It is apparent that the fire must have been burning some time before {t wag discovered. As soon as It became visible from the outside it was no time before the entire structure was like a seething furnace. The building was « massive structure, six stories in height, and open on three sides, as