The Billboard 1906-03-17: Vol 18 Iss 11 (1906-03-17)

PRY said 3, wa iE: ‘ 0" eae asec ed eds! 03 wie Wescs ~ ] SCN AMUSEMENT Bway set N Volume XVIII. No. 11. CINCINNAIINEW YORK~— CHICAGO March 17, 1906. LOVE SCENES Are Very Much the Vogue in Paris Little French Comedies Still Good for Short Run—A Tip for Sardou— Notes of Plays. EVPR a week here without new plays. The Parisian always wants a change, and a play has to be a real good one if it runs for more than a hundred nights in this town. This week has seen two changes of program, one being at the Theatre Moliere, where the bill consists of three plays and six acts. ‘The plays are Je suis Ministre, in one act by Mme. Odrienne Cam bry; Le Parvenu, in one act by Messrs. G. Darien and Mevisto, and Les Plumes du Geal, a four act play by Jean Jullicn. I did not see Je suis Ministre, as I arrived at the theatre rather late, but I heard that it was very amusing. Le Parvenue was dull and much teo long for a one act piece. Like so many other pieces of its kind it centers around Napoleon Bonaparte, who is made to appear extremely prosy. He takes us in confidence and confides his political hopes and aspirations, and tells us his private troubles. No doubt the gentleman who portrays the role is happy. for it is a little failing with actors to impersonate Napoleon. A dramatic critic here says it is because of the charm of prornouncing the two famous words, ‘‘Comediante, tragediante,"’ which as a matter of fact were invented by Alfred de Vigny, and were never uttered by the Pope. SENTIMENTAL PLAY WINS But Plumes du Geal, the jackdaw masquerading in the peacock’s feathers, made up for the dullness of the Parvenu. It is a very charming play, and proves that a little, simple, sentimental and wholesome play gets there every time, provided the sentiment is not overdone, and that it is .well constructed, and, of course, well acted. Witness, for instance, the success that Old Heidelberg has had even in Paris. We have had enough of those plays that end with the crack of a revolver. At one time there were no fewer than four plays running here at different theatres, all of which ended by either the suicide of the hero or the heroine. In the Plumes du Geai there is nothing of this sort. It deals chiefly of the old theme of money versus love, but the author has handled it so well that the auditor forgets that the topic is not a new and original one. The story is as follows: M. Paul Dumont, the hero, is a young and very wealthy man. He does not know the amount of his fortune (in this reSpect at least Mr. Rockefeller can sympathize with him), and he keeps on adding to it. However, he is unhappy because he believes neither im love nor friendship. His lady friends are not sincere and his gentlemen companions are always trying to borrow money. A lady of high estate is trying to arrange a marriage for him, obviously in the hope of fingering a big commission. LOWLINESS IS HAPPINESS Seeing that one of the employees of his bank, Therminier by name, enjoys life thoroughly, Dumont realizes that true happiness is to be found only among the lower class. Under the name of M. Paul he forms the friendship of Therminier, is admitted to the friendship of his family, and there he meets Mlle. Marthe, a niece of Therminier. Marthe owns her own living, being employed in a band. She is frank, simple, good and full of pluck. She has read & good deal and has formed ideas somewhat socialistic: she thinka that money wrongfully acquired ought to be refunded (to whom?), and she says that she shall marry only a man who {s a simple worker like herself. All this is Tather disquieting to M. Paul, who has really fallen in love with the girl. They become engaged, When Marthe learns that M. Paul its really the despired millionaire, Dumont, she tries to be true to herself and to her theories, and endeavors to overthrow her fiance. But, at the earnest solicitation of her family, she agrees to risk marriage with the millionaire who promises to give away a great deal of his wealth to the dewntrodden laboring man. The love scenes are worked out charmingly. The end is a little weak, perhaps, but the first three scenes were so good that the shortcomings of the fourth were overlooked, and the curtain fell on sincere applause. I am very glad that the Theatre Moliere scored 80 great a success, and congratulate the actors who so largely contributed to it. M. Angely was a capital Therminier, equally irresistible when he wished to make us laugh or cry. But, of course, the success of the evening was gained by Mlle. Mand Amy, who, as Marthe, was absolutely charming, and one felt that one might throw away a few millions if it was the one thing she wished. Mile. Amy is as pretty 48 she is talented, and the author of Plumes de seme) | FL RTE: Geai is lucky his so delightful an “FOR FRANCE ONLY" The other and more important theatrical event of the week was the production of a new play. a comedy in three acts by M. Victor Sardou It is called La Piste and is very amusing, the Martie actress in having and clever played ty dialogue being especially brilliant and witty Unfortunately, it is about the same old sub ject, ‘‘did she or did she not,”’ and it would be quite impossible to adapt it for any English speaking country, which is a pity. I suppose that these little plays dealing with a woman's infidelity are so easy for a Frenchman to write that he does not bother to write anything else. and is quite satisfied if his piece runs a hundred nights in a Paris theatre, and is subse quently played a month or so on tour, But it seems to me that if one had Sardou's talent it would be worth while to write a clean play that might be acted no matter where, However, Sardou may do what pleases, for he has had a great success with at least ten of his plays, and about twenty of them have been acted in the United States. If he likes from time to time to turn out a little comedy ‘‘for France only,"’ it his own concern. La Piste was brought out at the Theatre des Varieties, and Mme. Rejane’s performance greatly pleased the critics, as did that of Brasseur, that prince of light comedy actors, and of Mme. Suzanne Avril. GORDON WINTER. LYNN FOR VAUDEVILLE Jack Lynn, the leading comedian with Rentfrow’s Jolly Pathfinders, left the company in Danville Ill., recently, and will go into vaudeville. The entire company roretted his departure. is simply | heen abandoned. | Pan at Who is this season appearing in The School Girl. he | VERA MICHELENA DAYTON THEATRE BEING IMPROVED The Park Theatre at Dayton, Ohio, is undergoing extensive repairs which were badly needed An elaborate balcony is being erected and there will be an excellent promenade for those who wish to smoke between the acts. Seme excellent burlesque shows have been hooked VAUDEVILLE FOR COLORADO CITY A new vaudeville house is soon to be erected in Colorado City, Col. Ground was recently broken for the structure which will cost about $20,000 It will be under the management of Charles McAlpin, who is very prominent in theatricals. MAUDE ADAMS’ TOUR CANCELED Charles Frohman has arranged cancellations so that Maude Adams’ tour for this season has She will remain with Peter the Empire Theatre, New York, until it is time for her to close for the summer vacation. The Empire Theatre will open next | September with John Drew, and following this | engagement Miss Adams will return Empire for another run in Peter Pan. STAUB IN NASHVILLE to the Fritz Staub, owner and manager of the Staub Theatre, Knoxville, Tenn., and a_ theatrical power in eastern Tennessee, recently visited Nashville and leased the Vendome Theatre for a period of three years. He will present only first-class attractions. CONEY ISLAND Is Centre of Much Ac_ tivity These Days All Attractions in Brooklyn Doing Nicely— Interesting Notes of Parks, Theatres and People. HEATRES in Brooklyn are all presenti goml bills. At the Broadway is Frank Daniels. at the Shubert is ' rhe Earl and the Girl, and at the New Montauk is May Irwin—all opening to gowl business Wm. A. Brady’s "Way Down East is playing a two weeks’ engagement at the Majestic, and is turning people away every night Chas. E. Blaney bas purchased the Amphion Theatre. Wm. T. Grover will continue te present vaudeville until the close of the season. The Manhattan Beach Theatre will be under the management of Edward E. Rice the coming season, and will open June 30 with Dockstader’s Minstrels, to be followed by musical successes. During the season Mr. Rice will give a new production of his own. Henry J. Pain, of the Pain attractions, arrived from London Saturday with many novelties. The Barnum & Bailey Show is handsomely billed in Manhattan. The Washington Society Girls, of which W. B. Watson is part owner, did well at the Unique last week. Amateur nights at the Gotham Theatre are quite popular and have given Manager Girard’s house considerable advertising. Percy G. Williams’ Novelty Theatre in Williamsburg is doing a big business presenting vaudeville. Manager Harry Leonhardt has inaugurated amateur night. The Nassau Theatre was closed last week. It opens under the Sullivan-Considine management next week with W. G. Flournoy as manager. Herbert A. Bradwell and Fred. C. McClellan, the well known showmen, will leave shortly to or big scenic attractions for Londom and aris. AT ROCKAWAY BEACH The L. A. Thompson Scenic Railway Co. is making many changes at Coney Island and other resorts. This company’s latest seenic railway is Pike’s Peak, which they have erected on the site formerly known as Jackman's at Coney Island. They have also transformed the coal mine into a scenic railroad with a mammoth pavilion and one of the handsomest fronts ever erected. In conjunction with Geo. Tilyou, this company is building many new attractions at Rockaway Beach, which is going to be a strong rival of Coney Island this season. The Deluge, Herbert A. Bradwell’s big scenic production where Johnstown Flood was located at Coney Island, opens May 26. H. Roltaire has returned from Europe and is busy improving Creation and other attractions at Coney. Frank C. Bostock will have a number of big animal acts at Coney this summer. Many concessions have been taken at Brighton Beach. Mr. Brady is booking the large ones, Wm. Judkins Hewitt writes me that he is the originator of the big outdoor spectacle, The Train Wreckers and Robbers, which will be used at Coney this season. LUNA PARK OPENS MAY 12 Luna Park is to be entirely remodeled and will open May 12 with many new attractions. Thompson & Dundy have not given out anything for the press, evidently planning a big surprise. A part of the Midget City at Coney Island bas been leased for an Indian Exhibition. Percy G. Williams will add many new attractions to Bergen Beach that will make the resort very. popular. It is stated that Thompson & Dundy may put out A Society Circus and other Hippodrome features under canvas this season. The season at Coney will open earlier than usual this season. Manager William J. Buttling has given out no information concerning attractions for Dreamland. It is understood, however, that many big attractions will be booked and that Creation will be materially changed. From New York to the North Pole will remain at Coney, though it will undergo many changes. Geo. Tilyou has spent a great deal of money on Steeplechase Park, where one of the features is the tallest tower in the world. A. A. Bradwell is interested in the now seenic railway, Niagara Falls, located on the Bowery at the corner of Jones Walk. This attraction is a novel one, and is sure of big money. GEO. H. HAKBS.