Variety (Oct 1906)

VARIETY vt THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY NUMBER or •■.'.• . / '. VARIETY TO BE ISSUED ON DECEMBER 15th, 1906 Will contain articles by the leading mem- bers of the variety world, covering the field thoroughly in every branch. Rates Will Not Be Increased Photos will be accepted for that issue as follows: Single Column $10.00 Tull Page $ 100.00 Double Column $20.00 Half Page $50.00 Applications for preferred advertising posi- tion should be made immediately. Remittance Must Accompany Advertisements Forwarded By Mail. The Empire Theatre, Johannesburg The Tivoli Theatre, Cape Town SOUTH AFRICA 111 AUTEn "Badlinors of Iff All I Ell every descript on NOTHING TOO BIO. ALL TRANSPORTATION PAID. Mr* SYDNEY M* HYMANy the London manager of these* well known theatres, who is now in New York booking acts for South Africa and London, and will be here until October 31st, having heard different reports as to the treatment of artists visiting South Africa, reprints with pleasure the following letter from Newell and Niblo which appeared in Variety (page 8) on October 6. The letter was a voluntary contribution to Variety, having been written by Neweil and Niblo at the express request of the Editor for an IMPARTIAL STATE- MENT OF SOUTH AFRICAN VAUDEVILLE CON-^ DITIONS. SOUTH AFRIGj^ By NEWELL AND NIBLO. . Empire Theatre, Johannesburg, Sept. 2. We left New York on July 17, arrived in London in due time and sailed for Cape Town on August 4. Arrived there in seventeen days, after a very pleasant voy- age. Laid over in Cape Town until the next morning, which is a new way, as formerly all artists left on tlie day of arrival. The Cape Government Railway has re- cently added another train, which makes the jump in fourteen hours less time, with a dining car all the way and fairly good sleeping accommodations. We had been dreading the rail journey, having heard of its hardships, but now it is different. We reached "Joburg," as all the natives call Johannesburg, on time Friday morn- ing, and were met at the station by a crowd, among whom were our old Ameri- can friends Phil and Nettie Peters. They have the nice habit of sitting in their seats here until the show is over. The theatre is new, large and beautifully furnished. Dressing rooms ample and nicely fitted up; windows opening on to a court, which gives plenty of fresh air. A nice green room for the artists to lounge in. Regarding the treatment of the women it may be well to go into details, owing to past conflicting stories. The Empire of to day is not the old Empire. Then the audiences were practically composed of men. Since the building of the new house society has taken it up and it is not uncommon to see half the lower floor ^. filled with ladies and the Wednesday * matinee, which is the only one given, is principally composed of ladies and chil- .^. dren. _ , ^ If a single girl comes out here and chooses to behave herself she will positive* ly not have any more trouble in doing: so than in New York or Ix)ndon. Of course, if she wishes to go out to wine i^uppers and have a good time she will be' given plenty of opportunity. To men who' contemplate bringing their wives I can say with assurance that they have noth- ing whatever to fear. The women artists will be treated with as much courtesy and respect here as at home and possibly more. The position is exactly the same i\s at home. It all depends upon the woman. Joburg used to be a very expensive city » to live in and is still for that matter, btit things are growing cheaper every month. One can find all prices to suit their purse and individual tastes at about one-third more than in New York. Drinks are expensive, twenty-five cents being thf regular price for all drinks served across the bar, except home-brewed beer, which is twelve cents of our money. Clothes are about double London prices; so are shoes., May say to those considering the trip that • it is not only a very pleasant engagement bnt profitable as well, and they will find the Messrs. Hyman m<»Ht solicitous for artists' comfort. All communications, with particulars where your act may be seen, to be addressed to • SYDNEY M. HYMAN Rmm 119,1265 Braitoai NEW YORK CITY AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT D. GIRARD (at the »am^ aaaf«») '' ■