The Billboard 1909-06-12: Vol 21 Iss 24 (1909-06-12)

16 The Billboard JUNE 12, 1909. Berlin Berlin Goes Wild over the Russian Court Ballet, the Counterpart of Which Had Long Since Disappeared. has gone ERLIN wild over Court Ballet, whose extended was mentioned in the last letter. The ballet, in its traditional form, has disappeared from the German stage since the days of Fanny Elsner, Adele Grantzow, the isters Taglioni and the much admired Lucille Grahn. It seems as if, with the quicker materialistic development of the country, those upon whose patronin a greater or less degree the life of art, as represented by the stage and its accessories, depends, have lost all appreciation of that most gracious of all the arts, the ballet. But agein a greater or less degree the life of art, as those wonderful performances given by the Russian ballet are apt to create the renaissance of the real, old-time ballet. Russia, with the most splendor loving court in the world, and an aristocracy rich enough to indulge in the most costly forms of entertainment, has, it seems, not as yet lost its love for and admiration of a ballet organization whose performances must be classed as veritable triumphs of art. It is, without doubt, the finest equipped corps de ballet ever seen on any European stage, and what a galaxy of fairy-like beauties! The ballet has several premiere danseuses, solo dancers, character dancers, etc. The most brilliant star among named is, without doubt, Eugenia Eduardowna, who excels especially in the dances characterist of the Russian and other Slavic races. Her partner in these dances is Iwan Kusoff, an artist, full of fire and temper as well as of grace. Alexander Schirayeff is another of their splendid character dancers, but the star of the male contingent is Nicolai Legat, first solo dancer. Bewitching Anna Pawlowa, another first solo dancer and premiere ballerina, shares with Eugenia Eduardowna the highest honors. Organization and administration of the ballet corps at the Imperial Court Theatre at St. Petersburg are unique. Nowhere is so important a part given to the ballet as in St. Peters| burg in this theatre, supported by the Czar. The basis for this ballet is the ballet school, whose maintenance, together with the expenses of the ballet corps, costs the Russian court annually over a million dollars. The ballet school is nothing sess than a boarding school, because the pupils enter this school at the age of five years and remain without interruption until, at the age of seventeen, they are the Russian engagement the first considered well enough drilled to enter the ballet. The young ladies enjoy a great deal of social prestige. After becoming members of the ballet they are paid immense salaries and after twenty years’ service they receive most liberal pensions, with permission to accept engagements elsewhere. So you see the patrons of the Russian Court Theatre are not asked to accept ladies old enough for the home for the old and indigent as balleteuses, but the cream of youth and beauty. An interesting development concerning things theatrical is reported from Munich. Director Valley, from the Intime Theatre, which closed a short time ago, has given up the idea of conducting such enterprises in the future, after the police had given him to understand that concessions in the future would not be granted. Under the names of ‘‘Intime Theatre,’’ ‘‘Intimate Theatre’’ and ‘“‘Cabaret’ "there has sprung up quite a number of places allegedly devoted to the cultivation of dramatic art, but in most cases the plays produced were of a character not compatible with public morals. The police in Munich will henceforth issue no more conces sions for the establishment of cabarets, which are modeled after the Paris article, which is altogether too loud for German taste. The fact that the artists who appeared in Director Val ley’s playhouse have received orders from the police authorities not to appear in any other place in Munich, seems to prove that these actors and actresses are consideded to be beyond redemption. Berlin is, therefore, expecting an influx of new cabaret artists, and the performance of those devilish plays forbidden by the authorities in Munich. Rare honors have recently been bestowed upon Mme. Pauline Ulrich, on the occasion of her fortieth anniversary as a member of the Court Theatre in Dresden, Saxony. There was a gala performance with public congratulations. The King of Saxony sent the celebrated actress his portrait and appointed her, in recognition of her services, Professor of Dramatic Art, while the mayor of the city presented her with the municipal gold medal. Her colleagues presented Mme. Ulrich with a medallion set with diamonds. Deputations from the Court theatres of Berlin, Hanover, Liepzig. Hamburg, etc., were present and assisted in doing honor to one who so richly deserves honor. The membership of the Actors’ Society, Berlin, is quite put out because of the issuing of the order that in the future there will be no more benefit performances in the theatres sub sidized by the Royal Court for the pension fund of the society. Emperor William I. had many years ago issued a so-called cabinet order permitting such benefit performances, but it has since developed that the present emperor has recently revoked this order for some reason as yet unknown It is said that the emperor came to his decision in the matter after hear ing the arguments of Count Huelsen-Haeseler, the Intendant General of the Court Theatre. Berlin is following with intense interest the developments in the suit filed in Paris, France. by the great Sarah Bernhardt against the wellknown French dramatic author, Henry Bataille. Bataille had written a re-arrangement of Goethe’s Fanst. which had been accepted by Mme. Bernhardt for production in her Paris theatre During the rehearsals Mm. Bernhardt requested the author to make several changes in the play, which he promised to do, accord ing to her statement as given in the petition filed in court, but Bataille did not change his adaptation of the great work and further re hearsals were stopped. Mme. Bernhardt says that she has expended for scenery, costumes, | rehearsals, ete., the sum of 26,000 francs, for which she demands to be reimbursed. Bataille, on the other hand, declares Mme. Bernhardt had, after accepting the work, paid no further attention to it-—-on the contrary, expressed a desire to produce a Faust adaptation just be ing finished by Emile Rostand. Bataille filed counter suit for the possession of his original manuscript, which Mme. Bernhardt denies ever having received. The courts have so far not ren dered their decision. Director Barnowsky has secured for production at his Kleines Theatre, Berlin, during the com ing season, several works, among them a translation of one of George Bernard Shaw's comedies, an a new work by the Russian, Leonid Andrejew, whose dramas have so far always been received with a great deal of interest, though his realism is in some cases more forceful than even that of Leo Tolstol or Gorki. : In connection with the great amusement park known as the Abbey, in Treptow, near Berlin, a new summer theatre has ben opened under the management of Director Gustav Preilipper. The ensemble of the comic opera, Hamburg has commenced an engagement at Frankfort on-the-Main, which is to last some weeks. The ensemble of the Carl Schultze Theatre, Ham burg, is at present giving an extended series of dramatic performances in Hanover. The theatres in Cologne came near having a strike of stage employes. The men requested better wages and more satisfactory working conditions. The managers could not their way clear to accede to these demands and a strike was threatened. The authorities then took see a hand in the matter and a settlement was made eminently satisfactory to the employes Under the name Apollo Theatre, there will be opened in Hagen, Rhennish Prussia, during the coming season, a new variety house which intends to offer only first-class attractions. The new house will have a seating capacity of 2,000, The Olympic Theatre, Kiew, Russia, has for the next three years been leased by the well known opera singer Mine Eugenie Martens who will herself conduct the management of the place. Mme Martens had tl theatre fitted out most luxuriously Variety urtists all over the world will greet this change of management with a great deal of easure Mme. Martens has for years been foremost in the fight for the protection of the sts in Russia, and it has always been her aim to bring vaudeville and variety n Western FI upon the same high plain they enjoy in other Europ ean countries t is no small matter to attempt to elevate the Russian variety stage t of its low character, and every one mat ageous Woman the greatest suc Director Malesset has oO] Nancy, rance, a new summer theatre with a seating of a There are two ances lesset has fi he er new heatre which will be exclusively In connectior new theatre h to conduct at formances and concerts by gypsy and chestras Circus Schumann has bee 4 mission to show in Munich in the large tion hall when not otherwise used some very vehement pposit urains of the expos! damaged splendid building t rceus ANCs€ Bu and made terior will in diamater 0 ances in Circus Max Schumann (1 te vn founded with the Circus Schuman t is pres ent traveling in Southern (Continued on page 53. Paris Week By Week Paris Bureau The Billboard, 121 Rue Montmartre. Percy Williams Has "em Going—He’s After Some Big Acts— Theatres Are Beginning to Announce Closing Dates—Russian Season Attracting Attention—American Managers Don’t Seem of the Opinion That Frohman’s New Scheme Will Pay. HIS week musicians is by all means a week for the It is their inning. theirs and T the dancers—not to forget Ethel Levey and the distinction she had thrust upon her. For here at the start I can inform the American cousins that King Edward, the Seventh, ruler of the English and the Indies, visited the Olympia, where Miss Levy is playing, and applanded this Yaukee star in the vigorous manner for which he is noted. The Russian season of grand opera has opened at the Theatre Chatelet. It is always something of a hit in Paris, and this year it bids fair to eclipse itself. The “soiree de gala’’ was the event which introduced a triple bill. these being the presentctions: La Pavillon d’Armide, a ballet, in one act and three scenes; Le Prince Igor, being selections from Borodine’s opera, and Le Festin, a svite of dances, to music by Rimsky-Kersakoff. Glinka, Tebaikowsky and Glazounoff. The Moscow Or chestra has appeared on the scene and is win ning great favor. At the Lyrique Municipal, patrons are once more seeing Miss Isadora Duncan in her famous dances. She is assisted by her dancing class of young girls. In addition to the numerous musical events of the week, which include, besides what I have mentioned above, numerous piano recitals (that of Paderewski being among the number), there are lots of opera singers and opera managers in the city looking over the ground and perhaps preparing for a battle royal over desirables. Henry Russell is here again. at 25 Rue Spon tini, but he does not expect to remain long. As soon as he winds up his affairs here he will go on to Italy. WILLIAMS HERE. Althongh he hasn't told me just what he Is here for, it does not take very much of a Sher lock Holmes to figure out that Percy Williams the opera managers—is here looking for material Only there is this difference, in that he wants vandeville talent He is visiting Marinell’s Agency, Place Boleldieu, with creat freqnency and considering that Marinelli has a number of very big stars on his string, and of the kind Mr. Williams likes. I half expect that some of these will be taken back to Amer ica for a shooting-around-the-circuit next JULIAN ELTINGE. Talking with a Parisien the fall. other day I was asked if Julian Eltinge was or was not coming back to Paris for an engagement soon. I an swered that I had heard he was but was not sure I mentioned this oniy by way of showing that Eltinge, when he was here before, was mighty well liked. It’s nice to have ‘em ask ing about you that way. FROHMAN’S PLANS. Once more Paris is to see Peter Pan, that exquisite play of Barrie's. On June 1, Miss Pauline Chase, who has appeared in the plece 564 times to date, will make her second ap pearance before a Paris audience in this play. The event will take place at the Vaudeville Theatre. Altogether, Peter Pan has been seen on this side of the Atlantic no less than 1,065 times, Incinding Great Britain, Ireland and Paris. It's a good record. WILL IT PAY? Speaking of Mr. Frohman, I have talked with a number of English and American show people—whose names J] naturally cannot mention for obvious seasons—who predict the new scheme of his for a repertoire theatre in Lon don end another in America, won't pay. They say it ie a luxury. just a whim of a rich man and that he knows he can’t make money ont of it I have had to dispute this pay Not much perhaps. but it such a management as Mr. Frobman’s, and I'll bet a good hat on it Even if the theatres are in Fngland and America Of course there will be heavy costs over and above those expenses encountered in the operating of the regular. ordinary sort of playhouse These expenses I have recounted before in these very columus. hnd they are at once apparent But on the other hand there are places where expenses wil] mount so high. for the result given, and it here that Mr. Frohman’s salvation will found He admits, however, that he will satisfied with the smallest kind of a profit. that he knows he can’t make many fortunes out therefore, satisfied of the enterprise, scarcely anything more artistic success, he’s a sure winner of the repertory will I believe it will will pay under being than an For in spite theatre, such as loose money for him run for many same principle on, and they croakers, the provide, can scarcely Paris theatres have been many a year on exactly the he to run his houses right along It is true that some have state subsidies, but there are which have not and which nevertheless, snecessfnl Anyway the American and English building geniuses in the playwright lines, ought to be wearing that smile that won't come off, for this new venture of Mr. Froh man's is going to mean that some few of them will remain undeveloped no longer, but will see their names “1 in flame—which is a fancy name and fortune! FRENCH CHORUS GIRLS. It looks like I'm knocker, a kicker creatnres who in favor of his remarking the ists hetween he amd ass proposes are prospering of them others ir apel hound and to oe of make comparisons and native land But I can't tremendous difference which the French chorus and the chorus of the better class of American musical produetions For example the outfit of prize beauties whieh Miss Anna Held always has supporting he or one of Savage's collectio or the Shubert’s winners or-—well any of the Amer ican manager's pickings, are as far ahead of the Freach chorus as a six-cylinder racer is in ad vance wheel barrow American soubrette Maid.”"’ beats all to bh French maid playing herself This be an thom everlasting abominable lware playing vllow the the real superiority extends in many the first place French managers no eye for beauty of form or hlonds brunettes and mixtures together He has tall girls, short girls and fat girls in the front row. and young giris sre a rarits Most of the chorus ladies ire somewhat antiquated and it is to fact that one may attribute the lack of ginger #0 noticeable in the work of the chorus The girls march seemingly without forma tion of any kind whatsoever and march off the stage in the same way And while on the they regard the audience In the eer fashion seeming to be searching for some they know, the search extending from pit She never emiles does the chorus lady the girl next to her turns loose a joke special benefit, then she laughs to herself The chorus knows no frills, no anything In the Amertean aense of the words: In fact the French outfit is a distinet disappointment, for Americana have come to associate heauty eprightiiness and all that sort of tt with the French girl Nor (oes the average manager dress his chorus with any degree of taste, blending the most ludicrous colors into the same ensemble directions seem to face He jumbled girls, siim In have has perhape on most her ate | fe ing (Continned on page 2.) Manchester White City Opens with Many New Attractions and the Pre miere is Characterized by Much Enthusiasm. Manchester, Eng., May 15, 1909. My Dear Billy Boy HE annual opening for White City has be come for this city an event of importance and as this is the only American amusement park in England that dees not depend on expos tions t make it a success, t has becom than &n event and has really taken the ion of .a function This morning crowds to essemble at the gates at breakfast md at ten e’clock at least three th were walting for the gates + yet that did not take place unt the afternoon Every fellow to first in the grounds, just all the theatres where reserved sold and long queues form hours advertised time for the doors to wait in all kinds of weather, jus firet in It ts funny and vet it Is It looked elmost foolish at where there is ample accom hundred thousand and only number are here to-day Brown certainly made and ovements in the ind every show dis mprovement on mark in England before s Fighting the Plames cular preduction = s familiar in which is put on here by W. C manager of Wonderland Park Boston, and no expense by Mr. Brown to make it elaborate eter mpted, and he took the br dle off and told oning that what he wanted was the ve has it The show has taken the the neck to-day, and from earances at the first three shows {t is go ng to win a lot of money and reputation while summer rest and best also opened to f White thousand skaters went on the T was at three foor will easily accommodate 3,000 would rowd any other Music was furnished by the band Majesty's Irish Guards, one of the rack musical organizations of England, and this will followed by the best bands in the litary naval service of the nation llevo’s Continental Circus, one of the most complete little organizations I ever saw, gives shows a day, and the tent was crowded suffocation at each performance today. The run from four to twelve cents and how it can be done is a mystery It would make a fortune in Americs charging four times as much Every act is high class and equal to many of those with the big shows / big bunch of trained lions occupies one of the theatres of the park, and Miss Ella ts their mistress and trainer. This show is really startling in its originality and daring, and she has enough animals to work six at each show without tiring them, by making changes in bert act and giving a show every hour Another houses Madame Collard’s Trained Dogs, and I am taking my hat off to this lady, for she cer tainly knows her business, and be it a poodle or a Siberian blood-hound, it is the same to her, for she seems to have hypnotized her pets, and they do the most marvelous things in the shane of dow acting The other shows and riding park now number thirty-seven, of them has made a cash receipts of each will pay penses for two weeks The season White Citys assured of greater than during elther of its preceding years, for the people are getting educated to the idea of an American park and much of their preja dice has been overcome Mr. Brown leaves for his other place at the International Exposition at Nancy, France, oD Monday, where he will entertain the Eng! eb press in a few days > a. @ mere be ey do at not the nat the modation for a avout half that John Calvin bix nanges has some White the in anything The the America, Manning at Re has ble spec " ie best peonl I ‘ skating day as a City, and rink in Eu part of the nearly seven floor and paid The skaters rink sessions be and ' n the one devices and every to-day, and the its running ex of 1900 at success success seems TORONTO, The lnet week f.otival at the patrénage A of David of Lyman Howe's big travel Royal Alexander drew large notable engagement will be that Warfield, week of June 21. At Princess, The Westerners, comedy. the work of local talent, with much success the last two nights veek Thies closes the house for the season though Dockstader’s Minstrels are booked June 21 At Shea's, The and Co tertini excellent til Thos. EK. Shea lal at present any the a mueslce Rert Coot features Millman and Trio Arthur were presented The Middlema: the Grand. Next week M: on Monday night, for the f stage, his new play, A Man Yusiness will time " Rialto Rounders made merry at the © Majestic and Star are doing nicely © vaudeville and pletures Comedy Cirens, Mile. Omega, slack * performer, and Strong Brothers, comedy » eliats, were newcomers at the big Hippodr Searbors Reach Hanlan's Point and Mre. Pord had a big attraction In noted high divers JOSEPH GIMSON Owensboro’s (Ky.) new place amusement, The Hippodrome, now In the of construction, will open September 1 with deville, under the direction of Ben ©, Nunn A. Stutler. The seating capacity will be 5”