Variety (Feb 1907)

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VARIETY STRIKE IN LONDON STILL ON Settlement Looked For — English Managers Combine—Arbitration Expected London, Jan. 31. The st i ike of the music hall artists and workers against Managers Payne, and Gib- bons has gone steadily onward for the past week. The artists have stood to- gether firmly. Nearly all the English managers have joined forces and now com- pose one large ''Managers' Association" against the V. A. F. Some of the London halls affected have given performances, and toward the end of this week a better attendance re- warded the efforts, but this has been mainly caused by the desire of the public to go somewhere regardless of the quality of the entertainment to be seen. The combination of the managers rather weakens them than otherwise. Whereas on the original plan the National Alli- ance had a disagreement with two man- agers only, the latest managerial move may involve the provinces also, together with the other London houses which have been able to give their customary shows. At this time it is expected that a speedy settlement may be looked for- ward to. Developments in the strike, of the Eng- lish artists affected the home industry this week. Reports ran amuck that crowds of English artists of the first grade had signed blanket contracts to appear over here and would sail immediately. Other reports said that foreign emissaries for the managers were here or on their way to secure acts for London. Neither report could be confirmed. A week ago one of the secretaries of the V. A. F. cabled the Morris and Keith offices asking if they could use English acts, but nothing came of it. As far as can be ascertained no more foreign booking than usual has been done the past few days, and as regards "blan- ket" contracts, that seems to have been altogether imaginary. About the only immediate opening of note from the other side is Rex Fox, the ventriloquist, who first appears , at the Colonial on February 11. This book- ing was made last fall. The rumor of an English invasion was taken seriously by the American artists, and a special meeting of the Vaudeville Comedy Club called for last Wednesday night. Addresses were made by Geo. Abel and Geo. Mozart, both foreign artists now playing on this side and members of the club. The Englishmen told their American brothers that they need not fear the Eng- lish artists would flock over here, but, nevertheless, the Comedy Club cabled the Variety Artists' Federation that if it ex- pected the support of the club it could not well allow its members to crowd the bills here at the present time. The message also informed the V. A. F. that it could call upon the Comedy Club for funds, if necessary. At the reg- ular meeting to be held Sunday a motion will come up as to the advisability of giving a benefit performance in some New York theatre for the V. A. F., the pro- ceeds to go toward defraying the ex- pense* of the strike. MRS. HOWARD GOULD, NO LESS. Hey, you agents, off with your hats to "Bill" Lykens. Talk about your Nat Goodwins, Ellen Terrys, Richard Mans- fields and a few others high up legiti- mately, not excepting Maude Adams, per- haps. Watch this Lykens boy. Who did he go after? Hold your breath. Mrs. Howard Gould. That's going some. All the Goulds (ex- cept "Billy") have money, and Mrs. How- ard formerly was Katherine Clemmons, an actress. Mr. Lykens knew it was not a case of necessity, but so diplomatically did he word the letter that Mrs. Gould responded with four pages, saying she had no intention of appearing once again upon the stage, and though she did, it would not be in vaudeville. But the nerve of that Lykens fellow. RUSSELL BROTHERS' NEW ACT. "Stagestruck Maids" is the title of the new vaudeville sketch which the Russell Brothers will give to vaudeville, possibly Monday at the Alhambra. It is claimed that the recent disturbance at Hammer- stein's when members of a Hibernian so- ciety strenuously objected to the Irish characters as played by the brothers did not enter into the decision for a new of- fering. SHELVES "DOLLY VARDEN." The operatic skit "Dolly Varden," pro- duced by Milton Aborn, has been placed on the shelf after its week's run at the Fifth Avenue. Mr. Aborn says he does not believe vaudeville cares for the ar- tistic, and although offers from several managers for time later in the season were received, it was decided best to place the camphor bags upon,it. Mr. Aborn is now working on another production called "Snowbound," which will be first shown in two or three weeks. ELINORE SISTERS HAVE OFFER. The Elinore Sisters are considering an offer from the Shuberts to appear in a musical comedy next season. No terms have been mentioned to date, as the sis ters have a number of weeks in vaudeville booked. After this there is a possibility that the Shubert offer will be considered if the inducements are alluring. SHUBERT AFTER VIRGINIA EARL. It is reported with circumstantial de- tail that Virginia Earl has received an offer from the Shubert Brothers to go with one of their forthcoming productions. Miss Earl is playing her first engage- ment In a new Cressy sketch at the Doric, Yonkers, this week, with other vaudeville bookings in prospect. The Shubert propo- sition just at this time comes as as econd string to her bow. ROBERTS REPORTED COMING A complicated cable arriving Wednesday said that Sydney M. Hyman, the London agent and manager, together with R. A. Roberts, the English actor, had sailed that day on the steamship "Baltic" bound for New xork City, where it was expected that Mr. Roberts would immediately play over the Williams circuit in his latest sketch, "Ringing the Changes." The cable made it perfectly clear that Hyman sailed, but whether it intended to convey that the agent would arrange for Roberts or that Roberts was with him could not be determined. Roberts is routed as playing the Palace in London this week. Mr. Roberts has not been booked by Williams, although he will play for that manager upon arriving, if the question of the agency concerned is adjusted. H. B. Marinelli claims the American rights to direct any tour the English actor may make and has a contract to that effect. Mr. Hyman seems to have taken Roberts in tow and this is the present difficulty. It is understood that Marinelli intends to assort his rights in this case, regard- less of who is affected, managerially or otherwise. The "Baltic" will arrive the coming week. Mr. Hyman's visit may have some- thing to do with the strike now on in London. This will not disclose itself be- fore his arrival. NO VAUDEVILLE FOR PRYOR. Although ten weeks in vaudeville were offered Arthur Pry or, the band leader, Mr. Pryor will not accept, having closed tin* week a contract for his band to appear each Sunday until the close of the season at the New York Hippodrome, commenc- ing February 24. The organization will also tour under the direction of William L. Lykens, who arranged the Hippodrome bookings. Mr. Pryor might have accepted the vaudeville engagement had not he considered that it would be said he had no other recourse. The summer time will be spent by the band in the parks. FEVER SCARE IN CHICAGO. Chicago, Feb. 1. The Board of Health has issued a warn- ing regarding the prevailing epidemic of scarlet fever and other contagious dis- eases. There is some talk of closing the theatres if the epidemic is not checked. It has seriously affected the attendance all week. ETHEL LEVEY AS LONE STAR. Ethel Levey has purchased passage for Europe for immediate sailing. She goes to London to have a look at an English opera in which she is to be starred in America next season, under the direction of a Broadway manager—probably diaries B. Dillingham. STAGED DANCE IN TWO HOURS. "The Dance of the Seven Veils" from "Salome" was given at the Murray Hill Theatre last Monday afternoon after a two hours' rehearsal by E. F. Rush, of Weber & Rush. The new act is a part of the "Dainty Duchess" show now playing there. Spiria, a dancer, was engaged for the part. After Monday another dancer was given the role. WILL POLI "BREAK AWAY"? Stronger than ever comes the report this week that S. Z. Poli is seriously contemplating "breaking away" from the Keith Booking Office, if he has not al- ready perfected his plans to do so. From all reckoning it will be necessary for Mr. Poli to "perfect" to avoid the liability under the ten years agreement he signed with Keith when he left the Morris office to join the Keith forces. Rumors mroughout the season said that Poli was dissatisfied with his bills and with the Keith methods. Accustomed to select his own shows when booking through Morris, Mr. Poli found that, while a big manager in the Morris office, the Keith crowd apparently ignored him and his bills were such as the office would allow the Poli houses to have, generally for the convenience of the Keith Booking Office rather than for the benefit of the Poli houses. This condition some time ago obliged Poli to make a firm stand and emphatic- ally say that he would book what he pleased and when he pleased, but lately, it is understood, he has even gone farther and booked acts without a clause calling for the commission to be paid to the Keith office. Booking the acts direct in this manner *is equivalent to informing Keith of a designated place where he might find rest as far as Poli is concerned, and people quite close to the inner work- ings of the Keith office aver that Poli will be back to Morris before this season ends. KEITH OWNS CLEVELAND. Cleveland, Feb. 1. The theatrical managers of this city are howling that B. F. Keith owns the town. The Keith house is the only one allowed to give a Sunday concert, the Mayor having refused permits to the others. The "Tribune" calls it "Keith's Sunday 'Graft.'" Only musical selections are given on Sundays and the Cleveland Grand Sym- phony Orchestra plays. These concerts were formerly held at Gray's Armory, but about five weeks ago Keith secured them. In a week's time there will be "some- thing doing," as the managers are com- bining to test the law, which seems to favor Keith at present. CAN'T GIvu, TICKETS AWAY. Fort Madison, la., Feb. 1. It's pretty tough when you can't give tickets away for a show, but that is what has happened here this week. The Ebinger Grand offered free tickets to women and "candy matinees" where free sweets would be given children, but still they wouldn't go in. The town is billed like a circus and the show must be terribly poor, but no one knows, as no one will take a chance. It is all done in opposition to the Em- pire, which gives vaudeville. "THE GIRL FROM THE 'HIP.'" Olive North, formerly of the Hippodrome cast, will be launched by Byrd Dougherty in an act called "The Girl From the Hip- podrome," assisted by eight young women, a chariot and two ponies, also the "Moon- Dear" song from the Hippodrome score. M. S. Bentham has ben entrusted with the quest for time.