The Billboard 1904-04-02: Vol 16 Iss 14 (1904-04-02)

THE BILLBOARD KIRKE LA SHELLE IN FLORIDA. Kirke La Shelle, the manager and dramatist, is taking a short rest in Florida. He will run over to Havana while in the south, to see whether it will be worth while to do anything for the amusement of the Cubans at their capital. He intends to spend most of the summer in Europe, and will sail from New York soon after his return from Flofida. He has bad 4 busy winter, with his five successful attractions, and feels that he has earned a vacation. He probably will meet Augustus Thomas while abroad. The gifted author of The Harl of Pawtucket is writing another comedy for Mr. La Shelle. He is doing the work in London and Varis alternately. E, H. SOTHERN SUIT. The suit of E. D. Schoonmaker, of lexington, against E. H. Sothern to recover $4,750 for alleged retention of a_ play written by the plaintiff, was dismissed March 21 in the Federal Court, whence it has been removed from the Circuit Court Louisville, Ky. A compromise was effected, the terms of which include the return of the manuscript and the payment of the actual costs of the suit by the defendant. YALE IN THEATRICALS. Yale University, at New Haven, is fast becoming a monopolist in a business way, besides running a ‘‘commons or restaurant it conducts .a laundry and March 16 embarked in amusements by presenting the Woston Orchestra in its own Woolsey Hal] at high prices. In time it may take up the field occupied by Bunnell and Poli in theatricals and vaudeville. DAN DALY, THE COMEDIAN, VICTIM OF CONSUMPTION .«.j.PIRES SUDDENLY IN HIS HOTEL, ten years one of the most noted comedians, died suddenly in his rooms in the Vendome, New York City. He returned from a vaudeville engagement at Buffalo two weeks ago to hear of the death of his wife. “Paly’s death wag due to consumption, with which he had been afflicted many months. Dan Daly. for DRAMATIC, E. H, Sotaern sprained his ankle in Cleveland last week. The Jesse James Company closed at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, March 18. e John Fay Palmer Dramatic Company is being organized in Louisville, Ky. Paula Edwardes, in Winsome Winnie, closed her tour last week in Lexington, Ky. Edgar Mayo bas joined the Melville Dramatic Company as stage director and manager. P. P. Craft, manager of Conroy & Mack’s Comedians, is spenuing Holy Week in New York Miss Lulu Sutton will present her own ply Texas, at the Empire Theatre, at Butte, Mont., week of March . , Forbes Robertson and Gertrude Elliott will return to this country next year and present a Shakespearean repertoire. An informal reception was tendered Charles Hawtrey in Pittsburg recently by the Pennsylvania College for Women. Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch has scored such a hit in Boston that it will remain in that eity for about ten weeks. Mr. G. A. Adolph Booker stars next season in a new musical comedy, entitled A Kansas Rube, from the pen of Michael E. Rourke. Mr. Frank Craven scored a hit as Conn the Shaughraun in that play last week. His friends and admirers predict a great future for him. Miss Laura Nelson Hall is now playing the stellar role in the Vaughn Glaser Stock Coipany at the Colonial Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio. Virginia Harned objected to the reduced rices at the Wednesday matinee of the Alvin Theatre, Pittsburg, March 16 and did not «ap ar. 9" farewell reception was tendered Mr. Clarence Kolb and Max Dill on March 14 at Cleve land, Ohio, who are to sail for Australia on May 5. Danie! Bandman appeared in The Merchant of Venice at Billings, Mont., for the benefit of the stricken Colorado miners. The receipts were good. . H. Turner, who has scored an unqualified success in the role of David Harum the past two seasons, will be starred in the same piece next season. Mr. Frank Wallace, who is to put on a season of stock in Knoxville and Chattanooga, Tenn., is now in New York engaging people and remnene plays. Caroline Kelly-McCord will play one of ihe principal roles in The Man from China, which will be the summer attraction at the Majestic Theatre, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Toy returned to Cincinnati to resume their vaudeville engagements from Brad ford, Pa., where they were attending the funeral of Mr. Toy’s mother. Miss Loie Bridge, the clever singing and dancing soubrette, joined Conroy & Mack’s Comedians at Dover, N. J., March 21, for the remainder of the season. Plays presented by the Marks Dramatic Company include The Crime of London, Kathleen Mavourneen, The Three Musketeers Little Lord Fauntleroy and The Little Minister. The Fenberg Stock Company’s repertoire includes A Man of Mystery, On the Stroke of Twelve, A Silver Dagger, The Red Cross Nurse, Beware of Men and Tracy, the Bandit. Mr. Earl Burgess, who is presenting Miss Wmma Bunting, the dainty little comedienne, broke the house record at the Academy of Music, Hagerstown, Md., the week of 14. Pliny F. Rutledge, who has attracted attention by his clever work this season as Chet Timson in David Harum, will play the same part with the eastern company next season. Eleanor Robson and delightful Merely Mary nn is soon to be compelled to make another move, this time into the ular Garrick Theatre, where she will probably play out the sea sen. William Crane will appear shortly in Business is Business, a translation from the French Affaires Sont Affaires, which was a — production at the Comedie Francais, aris. Messrs. Cowan Brothers, lessees of the Academy of Music, Wilmington, N. C., will place on the road one of the strongest repertoire companies in the south. All plays to be royalty plays. The Van Dyke & Eaton Company is playing an indetinite engagement at the Mirror Theatre in Des Moines, lowa, and is known ag the Mirror Stock Company, changing the bill twice each week. Mr. William H. Crane was entertained py the President during his, stay in Washington. tle is popularly known at the Capitol as **Sen utor’’ Crane since his success in the play of The Senator. Coutracts were recently signed whereby An drew Mack will make a complete tour of Australia and where he will be seen in his entire repertoire, supported by a company of American players wext season. Atkins Lawrence, who was a member of the Shore Acres Company this season, was married in Philadelphia March 20 to Miss Virginia Arlund, a non-professional, of St. Paul. Mr. Atkins igs 70 years old. Miss Fannie Morton closed with the Breckenridge Stock Co. at Chanute, Kan., and was replaced by Carra Melborne. Leon Hohn joined this company at Junction City, Kan., to play light comedy and specialties. Ramsay Morris, author of The Ninety and Nine, has written a new play, The Compact, which is to have a _ Boston production this spring. Another new play, Dwellers by tue Sea, is to be produced next fall. White Whittlesey, who will star upon the coast’ next season under the direction of Belasco, Mayer & Price, will shortly appear in New York at a special matinee performance of Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People. Milton Aborn is suing Kirke La Shelle in New York to recover $2,000 paid for the right, scenery and costumes of the two operas, ldois Eye and Th* Wizard of the Nile. The properties were seized by Arthur V. Tame in VPitisburg in 1902. The A Breezy Time Company, under the management of M. H. Norton, closed the road season at Jefferson City, Mo., on March 26. Che company has gone to St. Louis, where it will be enlarged tu 75. people and open for a summer run. Miss Grace George, in Pretty Peggy; Kyrie Bellew, in Rafties, and Charlies Warner, in Drink, have closed their companies in order to prepare for the roles they are to take in Che Two Orphans, to be played in New York vn March 28. Wallace Munro and wife, Miss Charlotte Tittell, are sojourning at Belmont, Cal., where they went after closing the Cavalier Company at Omaha. The trip was made on account of Miss ‘Tittell’s health. They expect to return east about Apri] 1 Belcher’s Comedians are playing for the first time in Arkansas, but to good business. Miss Clara Belcher had a severe attrack of la grijpe, but pluckily stuck to her work, and is now fully recovered. The air is balmy and grass sreen in that country. Fredrick Warde, of the Warde & James combination, is to go on the lecture platform after May 1. He will lecture before several chaataugquas the coming season on Shakespeare and the immortal bard’s works, to which Mr. Warde has devoted years of study. Joseph Galbraith, Thomas J. McGrane, Barry O'Neil, Taylor Holmes, Frank McIntyre, Katherine Countiss, Julia Marie Taylor, Leonora Bradley, Hazel Chapelle and Florence Nash have been engaged for the summer season of comedy at the Bijou, Philadelphia, Pa. Montgomery and Stone, the two prominent figures in The Wizard of Oz, number amoug their admirers King Edward, before whom they appeared at a benefit performance for the widows and orphans made by the war in Africa. He was then Prince of Wales. Ida Doerge, who left The Wizard of Oz Company some weeks ago, has been re-engaged by Julian Mitchell for the part of Boy Blue of the Piper Children, vacated by Dorig Mitchell, who resigned from Babes in Toyland. Miss Mitchell desires to remain in New York. Miss Harriet Davis is almost recovered from her recent illness, and resumed her part as Ann Marbury in At Cripple Creek a short time since. Miss Davis, in spite of her illness, has received favorable notices for her work. The company closes this week at Pittsburg. Mack and Hayden's attractions are being closed in one, two, three order by Mr. Hayden, the general manager. ings for next season are coming in good. Mr. be in Chattanooga, Tenn., Mr. Mack will spend leisure time at his home, Hastings, Mich, J. A. Miesen, who has been playing Ferry in The Cavalier with much sucthis season, has been recuperating from a hard cold at the springs at West Baden, Ind. He returns to his home in St. Paul, Minn., this month to plan for his summer’s engagement, In his critique of Richard Mansfield’s Ivan the Terrible, William Winters says: ‘‘Mr. Mansfield chose wisely in choosing this part for himself, and his performance of it is, unmistakably, a great achievement-—the greatest, indeed, on its tragic side, except Richard III., of his whole brilliant career.’’ Mack aad Armour’s Comedians report that they are in their thirtieth week of the present season, and have worked continuously since opening in August, except for one week’s lay off on account of sickness. They are constantly adding novelties to their repertoire, and are having unusual success, The Two Orphans is still a good attraction when properly played and mounted. This was demonstrated by the Baker Theatre Company at Portland, Ore., recently, when for a week the company played to standing room. e production was said to be the best ever given on the Pacific Coast. Arrangements have been completed for Miss Eleanor Robson to gin her next reg! American season in Merely Mary Ann in Chicago following her London engagement. An English company will support her in jon. On her return she will only appear in the larger American cities. On March 26 the Baker Theatre Company will leave its old homestead at Portland and will begin its annual tour of the Coast by opening at Seattle March 27. The company’s place will be taken In Manager George L. Baker’s Portland house by the Neill Morosco Company, which is at present in Los Angeles, ‘ ‘co Nur, ® pee Members of the Erdwood Theatrical Company, while traveling in their private car, March 22, between Clement and Winfield; Pa., on the Reading Railway, narrowly escaped being burned alive. The car was attached to a regular passenger train, when a member of the company discovered the top of the car ablaze. A jump of 1,000 miles will be made by the Baker Theatre Company after its engagement at Tacoma, Wash. From the City of Destiny the company will go to Los Angeles. While jumps as long as this are more or less common in the West. they are infrequent in the East, as good show towns are found every few miles. Francesca, is the title of a one-act play written by Lottie Blair Parker, author of Way Down East, Under Southern Skies, ete., that was presented with great success for the benefit of the Actor’s Home in Boston, Mass., by Miss Minnie Victorson, Edgar Forrest and others of the Eastern Under Southern Skies Co. MISS PERCY HASWELL. The above is a portrait of Miss Percy Has well, who has been engaged as leading lady by Mr. Richard Mansfield. She is one of the most popular of the younger actresses now before the public. She first won special note ‘n Augustin Daly's company, and appeared with success in some of his musical comedies, possessing a very sweet voice and being an exceedingly graceful dancer. She preferred the dramaz, however. and achieved some notable Shakespearean triumphs, as well as winning laurels in the romantic and modern drama, ner versatility being one of the conspicuous qualities of her acting. She has been leading lady with several of tbe prominent stars. As an actress of keen artistic perception and finished training. Miss Haswell will make an admirable companion in dramatic art for Mr. Mansfield. Otis Skinner has secured a wy by the Frencb author, Jean Richepin, and will produce it when le closes his present season with Ada han. The play has its scenes laid on the Franch Canadian border, and time of the action Is about 1850, the story being on the romantic order. Lizzie Hudson Collier may be Mr. Skinner’s leading lady. Forbes Robertson has received and accepted an invitation from Harvard College to give his performance of Hamlet at that institution. He will appear there on April 5 and 6, giving the play in the suzabethan fashion—without scen ery. William Ingersoll and Mrs. James Brown Potter are to be co-stars. The combination will be known as the Potter-Ingersoll Company. Mrs. Potter has secured the American rights to a number of plays, and Mr. Ingersoll has secured the American rights to D’Arcy of the Guards and a curtain-raiser called The Festival of Death, written by Count Boni de Castellane. Moving pictures in a drama are a novelty, and the first time they have been used in the Pacific Northwest at Portland, Ore., during the recent roduction of Winchester. In the drama the eroine has to make a ride for life while pursued by the villain on horseback. As such a scene could not be properly presented on any stage, the ald of a moving picture machine was invoked. The pictures were a hit, In all probability there will be a lawsuit between F. C, Whitney and Charles B. Dillingham regarding the services of Lulu Glaser. Miss Glaser has signed a contract with Dillingham to appear under his management next season. Whitney claims his contract with the star still has two years to run. Both managers have secured a new opera for her, and the developments promise to be interesting. The house on the last night of the engagement of the Breckenridge Stock Co. at the Hetrick Theatre at Chanute, Kan., was the largest in the history of the house. Manager Myers, at the conclusion of the performance, requested the audience to leave as rapidly as possible, to see just how quickly the house conld be emptied in case of fire. Although an 8S. Rh. O. audience was present, the house was completely emptied in less than six minutes. Wilton Lackaye, in The Pit, will shortly end hig engagement at the Lyric, New York, owing to out-of-town engagements. second company will go out on the road next season. Manager William A. Brady has not decided who will play the Lackaye role. Several wellknown men are applicants for the part. A pro, fessional matinee will be given March 29, and an Ibsen matinee will be given by The Pit Company April 7, in The of Society. Vaseo Hardin, an attache at Temple Theatre, Owensboro, Ky., was seriously shot March 10. When the show was drawing to a tlose several actors were running about the stage in the grand finals. One held a shotgun, and as he was rushing wildly about. he suddeniy tripped. In falling, the gun wag discharged, and the wadding of the shell lodged in young Hardin's throat, . L. Erlanger, accompanied by John J. MeNally sailed recently for a brief stay in Loundon, where he will meet “Al” Hayman and Charles Frohman. Mr. Erlanger will complete his business arrangements 5 oy | hava. Dumpty, which the next Drury Lane spectacie to be offered in this country by Klaw «& Erlanger. A brief vist will be made to Paris in search of novelties. The total receipts of the benefit given at the Auditorium, ‘Chicago, Feb. 2, for the benefit of theatrical people who were thrown out of employment of account of the closing of the theatres, amounted to $2,064. Of this one-fifth was turned over respectively to the musicians’ union, the stage employes’ union and the billposters’ union. The remaining 4v per cent. went to the theatrical people. Frederick H. Wilson, the well-known authoractor, will be under the management of O. M. Cotten the coming season. ‘The repertoire will include In the Service of Mankind, A True Born American, The Church Across the Way, Robert Emmet, Parsifal, Shadows of Greater New York and other metropolitan successes. Mr. Wilson is at present filling a speciai gagement with Shipman Brothers in As You Like It. De Lacour and Fields, Twin Sisters De Lacour Dramatic Company, will begin their sixth annual summer tour under canvas on Monday, April 25, with an entirely new outfit and nearly twice the size as the company has been heretofore. The organization will number forty-two people and will be probably the largest repertoire company playing under canvas. They will play week stands and travel in their two Pullmans, Pansy and Charles I. A number of distinguished actors and managers are raising a fund for the benefit of ‘Tom’? Maguire, one of the most popular men in the entire profession, and for many years treasurer of the Fourteenth Street Theatre, New York. Among the promoters for the worthy cause are Robert Hilliard, Klaw & Erlanger, Charles B. Dillingham, Joseph Brooks. Fred C. Whitney, Oscar Hammerstein, Marcus Mayer, Liebler & Co., A. M. Palmer, Clay M. Greene, Wesley Rosenquest and Henry W. Sav age. The Starr Piano Company, Mr. Gavin and John H. Stem, of Indianapolis, Ind., were made parties to the suit brought against Frank MeKeige, treasurer for the Madame Patti Company March 9. Judge Harvey, as attorney for the Detroit Free Press Company, asked that these parties submit to an examination as to the amounts of money due Robert Grau, incorporated. Mr. Stem was the local promoter for the Patti concern. The Starr Piano Company and Mr. Gavin were made parties to the suit only as they were concerned with the sale of tickets, which took place at the Starr store under the direction of Mr. Gavin. Probably the only statue of the late Sol Smith Russell in existence ig owned by George L. Baker, of Portland, Ore. The statue was given to Manager Baker by the late comedian, and ever since the manager has retained it as a mascot. So far as known there were but two of these statues made. The sculptor was an ardent admirer of Mr. Russell living in San Francisco. One day while Mr. Russell was filling a date at Portland, an immense barrel was delivered at the stage door, and upon being opened was found to contain one — statue and the fragments of the second, at wes the first time that the comedian saw bis counterfeit, and realizing that it would be useless to carry the ornament around the country with him, he gave the statue to Mr. Baker. The figure, which represents Mr. Russell ag the poor ee hag been a mascot to Mr. Baker ever since. PLAYHOUSES. The new opera bouse at Boyne, Mich., opened March 19, Mr. 8. H. Chloss has leased the new Academy of Music at Wilmington, N. C. The erection of a new opera house at Richmond, Va., will begin at once. Plans have been drawn up for the erection of a new theatre at Utica, N. Y. The Orange (Tex.) Theatre Co. decided March 18 to file articies of incorporation. The opera house at Camden, U., was ordered closed by the state inspector of buildings. A new asbestos curtain wag installed at the Chestnut Street Opera House, Sunbury, Pa. It is said that N. 8S. Martz, of Tipton, Iind., — erect a thoroughly modern theatre at that place. The Auditorium at Hattiesburg, Miss., bas poen leased by M. G. Fields for the season of 904-5. A $11,000 playhouse will be erected in Ocala, Fla. H. A, Ford is a principal in its promotion. The Empire Theatre at Albany, N. Y., reopened March 14, with The Climbers as whe attraction. Local No. 62 I. T. 8. EB. of Colorado Springs, Col., has 25 memberg and all the local playhouses employ union belp. ©. M. Powers has resigned as manager of the opera house at New Martinsville, W. Va. v. J. MeDermott is his successor. Architect Oliver W. Marble, of Sandusky, Obio, is preparing plans and estimates for the alteration of the Chicago Opera House. The grand jury discharged Manager Herrington of the Star Theatre, Scranton, Pa., who was arrested for conducting a prize fight. Manager B. C, Pentz, of the York (Pa.) Opera ouse, was one of four purchasers of the Fulton Opera House at Lancaster, Pa. Plans are being made for a new opera at Elyria, 0., also at Kast Liverpool, 0., by Fred W. Elliott, architect, of Columbus, 0. Charles Scott, manager of the opera house at Lexington, Ky., has received word from the authorities that his theatre is pronounced safe. Parties are said to be negotiating for the Nellsen Opera House, at Sandusky, jo, who will make all improvements demanded by the law. Harry Glazier, manager of the Empire Stock Company, of Toledo, OUhio, filed a tition in bankruptcy. Liabilities, $14,029.35; assets, 595.00, The stage of the Lyceum Theatre at Scran ton, Pa., is being enlarged for the production of ‘Ben Hur, which will be in that city week of March 28. G. H. Phillips will probably erect a $40,000 opera house in Oelwein, Iowa. The city council passed a resolution exempting an opera from taxation for 10 years.