The Billboard 1904-05-28: Vol 16 Iss 22 (1904-05-28)

THE BILLBOARD Copyist’s Error Renders Bill Void. The last legislature which sat at Columbus, Q.. among other things which has been cited as shortcomings, passed an ordinance relative to theatre management which evidently was entirely unintentional on the part of the members. The bill in its present form reads: “That whoever, being the owncr or lessee or having the control as an officer, agent or otherwise, of any opera house, theatre or hall having a seating capacity of 750 or more, computing each seat space at 20 to 30 inches, permits the same to be used for the purpose of public assemblies, or allows any wire, light, reflector, scenery or any other thing whatsoever to stand in or across the space that the asbestos curtain, required by section 3 of this act, would need for its complete downward passage, shall be fined not more than $1,000 nor less than $25.’ There is an omission or error in the reading. According to the above reading there is now a penalty attached for opening a theatre in the State of Ohio which has a seating capacity of 750 or more. This most assuredly, was not the intention of the legislators and some clerk in the departments is responsible for the error. The bill will undoubtedly be ignored by theatrical managers. IROQUOIS RE-OPENING. A step toward opening the Iroquois Theatre at Chicago, Ill., has been taken and plans for remodeling the imterior in strict compliance with the ordinance has been laid before Commissioner Williams by the new owners, Hyde and Behman, of New York, and Harry Davis, of Pittsburg. A seating capacity of 1,600, which is not far from the old capacity, is provided for. The steep pitch of the gallery ig modified. In the rear of the main floor of the baleony and of the gallery are planned fireproof walls, which will make passageways leading to exits. 42 SUMMARY. The total number of new productions this season lacked om of reaching the hundred mark. Of these, 67 were new plays and 32 were musical comedies. Of the new plays, 43 were original. 18 were dramatized from novels and 6 were adapted from foreign plays. Thirty-seven of these new plays were by American authors and 30 were of foreign authorship. Of the musical comedies, 22 were American and 10 foreign. The total number of stars of various magnitudes were 94, 79 being native and 13 foreign. FRANK BURT SHOT. Frank Burt, the prominent theatre manager of Toledo, Ohio, was shot and painfully wounded by his wife in front of Burt’s Theatre, in Toledo, Saturday evening, May 21. His condition is not serious as this goes to press. ENGAGEMENTS. Harry Watson has been engaged to succeed Ed. Redway in A Venetian Romance. Miss Mabel Bardine has joined the On the Bridge at Midnight Company. Cheridah Simpson has joined the Woodland Company at the Tremont Theatre at Boston. Burt G. Clark has been engaged to play Mr. Wiggs in the famous Cabbage Patch play. Ben. S. Mears, has replaced George Flood in ~ part of Marcus Superbus in The Sign of the ‘ross. Harry Stuart, the Amaranth actor, who has been out with Mrs. Yeamans in a vaudeville sketch, is now playing a juvenile singing part in the Piff. Paff Pouf Company. Walter Ware, formerly with Mabel Gilman in The Mocking Bird, succeeds William Curtis as the lientenant in the Royal Chef. Miss Davenport Seymour, has been engaged by Hunter & Bradford as their general stage director for the summer stock company at the Worchester Theatre, Worchester, Mass. Heinrich Conreid has engaged for his next season at the Metropolitan Opera House, Albert Saleza, who is remembered as one of the best of the lyric tenors who ever sang there. Miss Julia Dean, leading lady of Worchester, Mass. summer theatre, has been engaged by Daniel Frohman, of New York City, to fill an important position in his new Lyceum Stock Com; pany. John Manners, all the past season in Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall, has joined the Edwin Arden Stock Company, at the Columbia Theatre, Washington, to play the leading juvenile roles. Washington critics praise his work highly. Aubrey Boucicault’s work as Henri de Granville, in Tit for Tat, the French comedy which Elizabeth Tyree is presenting at the Savoy Theatre, is the most perfect characterization this talerted actor has ever given, and it easily places him in the foremost rank of New York’s clever men. Messrs. Klaw & Prlanger have engaged J. E. Dobson, the noted character actor, for the part of Pierre in the all-star revival of The Two Orphans. He will make his first appearance in this character at the New Amsterdam Theatre in September. Mr. James O’Neill, who is now playing the character of Pierre, will ensct that of the chevalier in place of Mr. Beliew. COMPANIES CLOSING. Wedded and Parted Company closed in New York City, 21. James K. Hackett’s The Secret of Polichenelle closed its season, May 21. William Faversham. recently ended his tour in Lord and Lady Algy, in Pittsburg. Wilton Lackaye closed his season in The Pit on Saturday, May 21, at the Hollis Street Theatre. in Boston, Mass. The Maloney Wedding Company, closed a very successful season at Chanute, Kan., 14. Shipman’s production of As You Like I which Mise Florence featured, will June 13. Gale is The Ethel Taylor Stock Company closed its season at the Kentucky Theatre, Paducah, Ky., last week. The company will return to Paducah next September. Macauley and Patton’s production, The Little Homestead, with William Macauley in the lead, will close at Racine, Wis., June 5. This company bas been one of the season’s big successes and is booked for return dates for coming season. All new scenery will be added, and the Same cast re-engaged for next year. North Bros. have purchased three new plays for their repretoire next season. Two are by Lem B, Parker, entitled, Little Alabama and The Quaker Wedding. ‘The other is entitled On The Stroke of Nine. It is reported that Louis J. Elliott and Jos. Pilgrim, who have been identified with the Carpenter productions for several seasons, will take out a big production of a popular melodrama, next season. OBITUARY. Autonin Davorak, one of the greatest composers of the present day, died sudd plexy in Prague on May 1. in Bohemia in 1841 and was the son of a butcher, After great struggles he rose to fame, and became one of the most highly honored musicians in Europe. From 1892 until 1895 he was the director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York. Returning to Burope be was made, in 1901, a member of the Hungarian house of lords. His works include many orchestral suites, cantatas, songs and the operas paw na Selma, Sediak, Turde Palice, and Dimltrieje. W. Gault Browne, the dramatic author, died Sunday, May 8, of heart failure. His death, although a shock to his friends, was not altogether unexpected, as he had been failing in health for about a year. He was born in Rock Island, in 1865. entered the dramatic profession at the age of 14 as a member of the Wm. Marble Dramatic Company, was associated with Western repertoire companies, both as an actor and in a business capacity, until 1896, when he gave up the road and located in Naperville, Ill. Since that time he devoted himself entirely to dramatic writing, supplying the vaudeville stage with numerous acts, as well as writing quite a number of plays. The funeral was from his home, 205 E. Huron street, Chicago. Interment at Forest Home Cemetary. —_——— MARRIAGES. Paul Tietjen, author of the Wizard of Oz, was wed to Miss Eunice Hammond, at Paris, France, May 24. Mr. Max. Rosenberg, who has managed varions theatrical companies and who was at one time himseif an actor, was married in Cincinnati, May 15, to Miss Sallie Berger, who will have the principle lady part in the Marco Polo Spec~ posed to be produced at the World’s Fair, St. ovis, DRAMATIC. A new English melodrama is called The Serpent’s Tooth. The author of In Old Kentucky has written a new play called Home Folks. Jason Ladlow will be seen with the Sandy Bottom Company next season. Lulu Glaser will have a new opera next season. It is now being written for her. ~ Clyde Fitch has been e to write a play for Blanche Walsh, to be ready in January. It is reported that Bllen Terry will rejoin Sir Henry Irving next season. {Tit for Tat, a new piece, is meeting with success at the Savoy Theatre, N, Y. Julia Marlowe revived Ingomar at the New Empire Theatre, New York, 16. Maurice Pike, who played with Booth, is reported to be in straightened circumstances in New York City. An Ohio judge has decided that acting is not manual labor. He evidently has never seen a Lincoln J. Carter melodrama. Miss Janet Priest will have one of the prineipal role in The Maid and the Mummy Company at the Garrick Theatre this summer. The Palmer Uncle Tom’s Cabin company was recently organized at Kalamazo, Mich., to play Northern Michigan this summer. Miss Sadie Bogan, of Philadelphia, Pa., will be leading soprano in the rendition of the It is reported artburg, the actor, has just come into on of $23,000 left him by a relative in Stockholm, Sweden. Elizabeth Fox opened an engagement with the ——— Appell Stock Company in Williamsport, 7... . Mrs. Gilbert will star next sezson under Chas. Frohman’s management in a new Clyde Fitch play to be called Grandmother. The Maywood Stock Company summer engagement at the Bell Benton Harbor, Mich., June 138. Robert L. Kelcey and Effie Shannon are to have a new play called Tattoo, from the Ger will open a House, man, for next . Jane Kennark is to be leading lady with the Woodward Stock Company, which plays a sum mer engagement at Kansas City. Sarah Truax, leading woman Morgan in, The Bternal City, pear in that drama next season. The Gross-Lyall Stock Company opened 8 summer engagement at Cook’s Park Theatre at Evansville, Ind., May 15. Norma Whalley, now playing In London, has secured a divorce from her husband, James Sherrie Mathews. t Robert B. Mantell has refused an offer to play in Federa next season because he will open in New York on Oct. 5, in Hamlet and Othello. ello. The Waterbury Stock Company, Waterbury, Conn., is cing a new play, entitled, A Roadside Marriage; thus far it has met with success. Miss Fritzi Scheff retired temporarily from her company on account of a severe cold and throat trouble; her being taken by Miss Ida Howley with Edward will not ap Plsie Cressy will close her engagement with the To Die At Dawn Company, at Benton Harbor, 28, and spend the summer at her home in Somerleyton, Mich, Henry Ainley has been re-engaged to support Miss Maude Adams next season throughout the — States in a revival of The Little Min er. A neatly arranged benefit performance was given at the Grand Opera House at Nashville, Tenn., recently, in honor of Miss Ethel Davis, a Nashville girl. Mr, Otis Skinner had as guests at his theatre in Minneapolis, Minn., the Newsboy’s Band, of which he was elected an hone.., several yeare ago. Si Goodfriend, one of the best known theatrical advance agents, has been very ill ever since his season with Julia Marlowe closed last November, but is now convalescent. Starr’s Girl received its first production on any stage at the Murray Hill Theatre, New York City, on May 16. May Edwin and Fred Edwards assumed the leading roles, It is reported that the Wilbur-Higby Dramatic Company disbanded at Fort Wayne, Ind., recently. The company, it is said, was an excellent one and may be reorganized. Mr. Geo. Arliss will not be a member of Miss Blanche Bates’ Company in The Darling of the Gods next season. He will be succeeded dle of September. . « . . . . . . . . . s . . ° Shawnee, 0., May 19, 1904. * The Billboard Pub. Co. bd Cine: oO. * Gentlemen: I received many answers to * my ad in ‘The Biliboard’’ and got just ex* actly what I wanted. * You could certainly give Uncle Sam point* ers in the art of delivering and fo * mail, Yours > e RACYCLE s Shawnee, oO. s 2 8 8. 'O 2:32 8B: ¢ @eeeeneeneveeaeaee It fe said that Miss Elizabeth Tyree was the first to _ into ee the A 10 — = passes which was recently by tic Conrted. “i Grace ie to star next season in a play called Cape Cod Folk, of which the Rev. John Snyder. a Unitarian minister, is the author. She will be supported by Robert Loraine. A dramatic version of Parsifal began a week's ron at the West End Theatre, Manhattan, last Monday. Marie Doran is responsible for the version. The dramatic agencies In New York go under municipal control in the law just |. 80 regulating all employment agencies. These agencies must now furnish a bond a license from the Mayor. Lee Arthur will have his new play, A Business Man, produced in Chicago, about the middle of June, with WilMam Norris. the star of Babes in Toyland. in the leading role, which is said to be strong dramatically. Edwin Arden’s Stock Company in Washington, includes William Lewers, William Herbert. Herbert Ayling, Richard Gordon, Malcolm Duncan, Olive Oliver. Mabel Roebuck, Alice Butler and Louise Galloway. At a meeting of the Actor’s Fund, at the Savoy Theatre, recently, Daniel Frohman was elected President to Al. Hayman. A. M. Palmer succeeds Mr. Frohman ag First Vice President. Ida Melville, who a few months ago, on account of fll health, abandoned a successful vandeville tour, will be featured next season in a rural comedy, entitled, Sis Hopkins. Miss Melville is a sister of Rose Melville. A call has been issued to theatrical managers all over the country, for a congress to be held in New York City, in October. to consider a proposition that free passes given fn all theatres be taxed for the benefit of the Actor’s Fund. The German Theatrical Soclety, of Davenport. Iowa. has decided to present plays next year et the Turner Opera House at Davenport, notwithstanding the reported fact that there ts a deficit of $1,473.72. New officers are to be elected shortly. It is said that Tod Sloan has signified his willingness to accept the proposition made him by Arthur Collins, of the Drury Lane Theatre. London, Eng.. by the terms of which the famens fockey will star next season In a new racing drama. The Kibbery Stock Company opened {ts eummer season at Tazewell, Va., and good business is reported. The repertoire consists of, Down At Martin’s. A Woman’s Power, and A Modern Indas. The company goes under canvas, June 15, playing the Carolinas and West Virginia. Wagenhals and Kemper have arranged a combination between Frederick Warde and Kathryn Kidder for next season. Stanislans Stange’s play, The Danghter of Hamilear, has been seenred for them. The play will be given an elaborate involving an ontlay of twenty-five thoneand dollars. Miss Edna Phillips, leading woman of the Donnelly stock company at the Murray Fill Theatre, New York City. closed her season last week. She will go to her eummer home near Philadelphia for a rest. Next season she is to head her own company and will be seen at a Broadway playhouse in a new play now being written for her. Shakespeare still goes up in . The other day at auction, in London, $5,675 was paid for a first edition of the second part of Henry TV., printed in 1600. This exceeds by $4,500 the highest price previously paid for a cony of this quarto. The former record price for a quarto was established in 1991. when a copy of Titus Andronicns brought $3,100. Flwood M. Dasher, known as ‘‘Rert’’ to his theatrical friends, 1s reported to be suffering from mental trouble in a eanatorinm in Indianapolis, in which city he has been since last fall. Mr. Dasher was formerly associated with Chas, H. Hoyt. and was one of the benefictaries under his will, Mr. Dasher has been fn fill health for some time and has a host of friends pnd sympathise with him in his present con ition. Sorlin and PBarrowseale, a western firm of theatrical managers, have opened a enite of effices In the Holland Bidg.. N. Y., and are preparing to launch a number of productions next season. Carl Ecketron is to be featured in a. Swedish comedy drama called A Modern Viking, order of those a play on the exploited by the late J. K. Emmett. In addition, the firm have in preparation a New England drama, a melo. drama, two musical comedies and a co: opera Frank A. Connor, now appearing as Laflen: in the all-star cast of The Two Orphans at the New Amsterdam Theatre, has been engaged by Manager Peter McCourt, of the McCourt Stock Company, Denver, to play juveniles and light comedy roles, beginning June 15. Mr. Connor appeared as Lord Crowley, in Raffles, and the Count of Kervan, in The Sacrament of Judas, with Mr. Kyrle Bellew, during his long run here, and he will rejoin him again in 4ngust, for the Western tour of Raffles. William Blalsrell, who has closed a threeyears’ engagement with Nixon and Zimmerman and Klaw and Erlanger in The Toreador, has been specially engaged for Jefferson de Angelis’ old part of Polycot, in The Wedding Day, which opened in Baltimore, May 23. Lilllan Russell and Della Fox formerly appeared in the opera. Negotiations are under way by which Mr. Blaisdell will be seen in a new comic opera, The Gypsy Wedding, for which Alfred Dolby, an Englishman, has furnished the book, lyrics and music. The Ingersoll and Haggerty Stock Company is enjoying a prosperous summer tour of Michigan and adjoining states. At St. Charles, Mo., the . R. O sign wae displayed long before the doors opened. In ‘“‘earecn’s’’ for June, are interviews with J. Forbes Robertson, Wilton Lackaye and Macklin Arbuckle. It is again rumored that James K. Hackett has ieft the independents and gone over to the syndicate, It is reported that the cashier, or clerk handling the funds of the Actor’s Society in New York Olity is missing also over a thousand dollars belonging to the Society. Speculation is the rumored cause of the deficiency. The J. G. Stutly Dramatic Company opened a ten week's engagement at the Auditorium, Galveston, Tex., May 15. A change of bill will take place twice a week. The Van Dyke-Paton Company, which opened in September, will close the most prosperous season in its career, In June. Miss Olie Baton will spend the summer at her home in Iowa. The company is now touring Pennsylvania for the second time. Three thousand promptbooks, many of which are in the writing of such actors as Garrick, Macready, Forrest and Booth, containing in themselves an intimate history of the BPnglish stage of invaluable importance, are given to the New York Public Library by the will of the late James Becks, a veteran actor, who died recently in St. Louwls. The books are valued at $10,000, and Yale University once wanted to purchase them. The London newspapers are beginning to direct attention to the fact that Sir Henry Irving will complete his half century upon the stage in two years’ time. A suggestion has been made that a committee be appointed to make arrangements for the celebration of this event. and that a theatre be built and presented to Sir Henry as a memorial of his achievements. E. H. Sothern is now playing the West, where he will close his season about the middle of July. This will make the longest season this star has ever played, and is also interesting because it marks his last ae an individual star. Instead of going to Purope this summer, Henrietta Crosman will rest after her season at the Belasco Theatre closes. In the fall she will reopen at the Belasco Theatre in Sweet Kitty Bellairs. Arrangements have been made by David Belasco and Maurice Campbell for Miss Crosman to open the new Yorkville Theatre in New York next season directly after she closes her run at the Belasco. he following program was recently given rt the Broadway Theatre, New York City, for the aid of The New York Home for crippled children. The entertainment opened with the alxth tableau from The Two Orphans, wi.u the all star cast, followed by Hattfe Williams, of The Gir! From Kay’s Company and De Wolfe Hooper, of Wang. In musical spectalties, and Kyrie Bellew and Fleanor Robson in the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. A musical nomber from Piff, Paff, Ponf, called The Ghost That Never Walked, was presented by Eddie Foy and the original FPnglish pony ballet was followed bv the proposal scene from The Yankee Consul. Then came a skit presented by the Twelfth Night Club, called A Burning Question in Elysium: Thomas Q. Seahrooke and chorus sang Cordelia Malone, from Piff, Paff, Pouf. J. E. Dodson entertained, and Grace George followed in the third act of Frou-Frou. Sam Bernard sang Sufficiency, from The Girl from Kay's, and Montgomery and Stone suggested The Wizard of Oz. The third act of The County Chairman closed the program. PLAYHOUSES. The new opera house at Hartland, Minn., was formally dedicated May 11. The Colonial Theatre, Cleveland, Obio, will be ne with new chairs and a large electric sign. Manager Murray is remodeling his theatre ot Richmond, Ind. A large asbestos curtain is one of the new additions. It is reported that Veal’s Opera House, Atlantic Oity, N. J., hae fafled, and will pase into the hands of a recelver. The owners of the old Cyclorama at Buffalo, N. Y., will bufld a new music hall somewhat similar in design to the Temple of Music at ‘he Pan-American Pxposition. Shea’s Pmpire Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio, wl! undergo extreme extensive improvements during the summer. Fisher’s Theatre, San Francisco, Cal., wi!!! reopen about June 1. The building has been re modeled and re-fitted with many modern tmprove ments. The Inle and Pavilion Theatres at Atlantic City, N. J., are undergoing many alterations. A stock company will be organized at Fort Wayne, Ind., for the purpose of building “he proposed new theatre. Over $75,000 worth of stock has been subscribed, The Anditorium, Grand and Foster's Theatres at Des Moines, Iowa, will undergo extensive 1mprovements during the summer months. Thirty thousand dollars is being raised by * stock company at Stillwater, Minn., for the purpose of building a new opera house in that city this summer, A theatre with a revolving stage has been opened in Gakland, Cal. It ts said that the arrangement will do away with all ‘waits’ except fer dress. One ecene will have been 4d