Variety (October 1907)

VARIETY ^ AUDITORIUM'S IMMENSELY SUCCESSFUL OPENING House, Seating 4,200, Sold Out, and Police Called to Preserve Order. Capacity Business Continues. By FRANK Variety's Chicago Ollico, Chicago Opera House Block, Oct. 1*. Klaw & Erlanger's "Advanced Vaude- ville'' had its inaugural at the Auditorium on Sunday evening, under most auspicious circumstances. Interest in the advent of the opposition has been keen ever since the announce- ment was made that Kohl & Castle, who absolutely controlled the vaudeville situ- ation, would be confronted with compe- tition, which, judging from the demon- strative crowd on the opening night, is destined to become permanent. The opening of the spacious Auditorium, which for many years has housed stu- pendous attractions, created unusual com- ment. The advertising and publicity which preceded the conversion of the Au- ditorium, encouraged the public to antici- pate much. The advance sale was the largest in the history of any theatrical event of this character. The, scene around the theatre on Sunday evening was a spectacular one. Hundreds were turned away unable to secure seats. Several policemen were de- tailed to regulate the crowds. One of the lanie doors in the fover v as torn olT bv the uncontrollable crush f people. The future success of \audeville at tie Auditorium dep f ncls solely on the style of acts. Theatregoers here have been ac- customed to ordinary sized playhouses, particularly where vaudeville is given. The accoustics in the big playhouse are excellent, considering, of course, the size. it comfortably seats 4 200 people. The opening bill is the largest and most expensive ever seen here. That the talk- ing and singing could be heard to the roof was affirmed by applause and laughter from the upper galleries, but for a time it appeared as if the huge auditorium were too large for the upper occupants to catch distinctly the songs and dialogue. This first became evident with Clifton Crawford, who, after an interval, raised his voice so it could be heard in the remotest part of tho house. From present indications and judging from the enthusiasm displayed by one of the most critical audiences ever as- sembled in a vaudeville theatre. Klaw iv Erlanger have established their ''Advanced Vaudeville 1 ' in Chicago under most favor- able, conditions. It will probably be necessary, however, to maintain the inaugural standard as re- gards the acts. Better and more bril- liant bills than those offered at the Majestic, tho foremost Kohl & Castle theatre, will have to be provided. Sketch teams, ordinary talking, and singing acts will probably find fever admirers at the Auditorium than pantomimic comedy, cir- cus and large novelty numbers, such as constitute the major portion of the open- ing bill. WIESBERG. "Advanced Vaudeville" in its first week has proven a success from a financial and artistic standpoint. That is unques- tionable. If the succeeding bills are as stiong, and selected with the same dis- cretion, Klaw & Erlanger vaudeville will be abundantly patronized. Klaw & Erlanger announce they are de- termined to give Chicago the best that money can produce, and will not stop at expense to give the Western metropolis more stars every week than are seen at the four Kohl & Castle theatres together. Kohl & Castle believe that it is impos- sible for Klaw & Erlanger to secure sufficient features every week which have not already played their houses. The local newspapers were unanimous in commendation of the first vaudeville show under the Klaw & Erlanger regime. A. L. Erlanger, who was in the city for the opening, expressed the utmost satisfaction with the results. Geo. W. Ledeier is di- rector of the performance which ran with unusual smoothness for a first show. Prominent in the boxes were: M. Meyerfeldt, Jr., President, and Martin Beck, General Manager, of the Orpheum Circuit; C. E. Kohl, J. J. Murdock, E. F. Carruthers, Ed. Ackerman, of the Western States Vaudeville Association; Joseph Brooks, William Harris, ClitTord C. Fischer, A. W. Dingwall, Lillian Russell; and many other celebrities. A review of the bill will be found under Chicago cor- respondence in this issue. The fight has brought on some violent newspaper "mud slinging" by both sides, and it has also given to the Majestic Theatre the biggest bill this week, headed by May Irwin, the theatre ever held. The cost of the shows in the five lead- ing variety theatres for this week is about as follows: Auditorium, $7,500; Majestic, £i5.200; Olympic, $:},000; Ilaymarket, $.'.000, and Chicago Opera House, $;*,000. A review of the bills will be found under Chicago correspondence in this issue. The Auditorium has been playing to I * o capacity since the opening. The advance sale already indicates a similar condition for next week and the week after that. Vesta Victoria has become very popu- lar now and her songs are many times en- cored. She may remain here but two weeks. The local management wants her for a month. The attendance at the Majestic has been capacity also, but at the OlyirVpfc", Chicago Opera House and Ilaymarket the matinees opet ed light, business increasing to a fair average. The Auditorium matinee attendance has 1 n surprised in the light of past ex- periences with new amusement ventures »'f this nature. On Tuesday afternoon there were .'1.00(1 persons in the house; at \Wdne-day matinee, ::.JiiO. At the pi ices charged (l."> and _'."> cents) the box office receipts for each afternoon per- formance cited amounted to about $000. "EXCLUSIVE," VOTES UNITED. There was a decided intimation ghnea a$t the offices of the United this week, thai: the warfare of the vaudeville ipjrtigrra- might extend to the artists engaged. Percy G. Williams is responsible forth*' hint that acta playing for Klaw & Hi> langer would not be looked upon with. favor by tho United. Mr. Williams said: "Attention baring: been drawn to the fact that lilaw & l-ir- langer caused to have published a. statis- meut that all acts on their circuit vtero 'exclusive engagements/ the United. IkoxkW ing Offices seconds the motion, and naakcas it unanimous." That the feeling is bitter between, tb* vaudeville factions, extending to the actss booked, was also asserted by an orficerroif the United States Amusement Company) (Klaw & Erlanger). He was informed. <d the report that Sam Bernard had been eat gaged by the United for 30 weeks- ad: jjst.ooo weekly, and asked if Mr. Bernard: had been overlooked by the K».& H. siAet. "We think it was very sensible oi: Str. Bernard to accept the offer," he aatfjgB ously replied. "I hope he saves his nwsrgi in* vaudeville and always earns a*- much*. for his future theatrical employment will! be altogether in that field." JH t >:::::* \*vu*r TO THE WWDS." tDwmiiatii to the winds. It is a ttnmy-nf the-pest with Klaw ft Erlanger vaaMtterilee/'waid Louif F. Wer^t, the gen «eivll manoagcT of the TJ. S. States Amuse meettt (Oompany, this week. -Hrroen now on," continued Mr. Werba, Thhere will he a wide open policy adopted, ilijp bill*, big Advertising and everything Um^, rroen beginning to end, will be the rniee. Lltrpave the heat in the end, we hare id*€covered, suadahall follow along the lines iif our past experience to that end." $90,000 FOR SAM BEHIfAHDj ' It is reported from a quarter generally^ possessed of correct information that: damu Bernard, the German comedian, has signed] a contract with the United Booking: liffitess to play thirty weeks at $3,000 weeki^ tu* engagement to commence after the ternxinaa tion of his present contract with (Jhaxhhs.- Frohman. That, it is understood, has ten \ieekfc. yet to run before expiring. The United has been reported sereraJL times in the past few months as seeking Mr. Bernard for its circuits, but the- RrohV man agreement was cited as the cause ton delay, the general supposition beirr^. tiuu .Mr. Bernard stood willing to ^ign wtuwn possible at the weekly figure <{iioteiL wnnLmTaE tssee. metropolitan? i-ioUnwing the successful opening of the AUaiitoriinB, Chicago, by Klaw k. Erlanger, iit baeoame rruoiored in New York that the tftrni 'would -grre serious consideration as 1 > whether the Metropolitan Opera House .ixliiidnaot he made a profitable vaudeville venture during the aeason when grand owenaiisraot on the stage there. AVikeii'the Tumor was put up to a man (owneeeteid with the K. A E. firm, he would rawit item .that -such an idea had been given - iiwwprJu, and -said that the vastness of the Wukhtmiuni having been brought to vaude- ?ilfc rrequirentents, there seemed no plaus- iioee Toasoii why a like attempt could not ibe rmaiae at the big opera house at the ^ckueee rwfauhrr price* now in vogue for the IK. &: 32. vmudeville brand in the Western 'merngKuss. K.&X.CC01fCEKXS AT MAJESTIC .tt~ jb test of what "Advanced Vaude- vtilee" may draw at Columbus Circle, Klaw .& nErlaajrer will place the Sunday night -iihmwsiin the Majestic Theatre, commenc- i rap»Met. -27. llrroTidmp the returns are satisfactory, til j- hinted the Majestic will become a iTejnilar -stopping point of the K. &. E. cir- '•euit. Mcdowell on inteh-stath. Chicago, Oct. life It may surprise some New Yorkers-to knoW that Melbourne McDowell ansd Win ginia Drew Tascott are playing the lirtcr* State Ciicuit. It was reported from Nvw York that Mr. McDowell and Miss- Tits- cott had been secured for vaudeville, with? an intimation thev would be the features- of many bills in the metropolitan district; They have been engaged for vaudeville. but by E. F. Carruthers, president cd ttiie Inter State. This week they open their tour at Little Rock, an Inter-.State standi playing acts from the pieces they luavc been identified with. 'Die legitimate seat son was closed by them in the same ctiy\ la-t Saturday night. *HcS. YEAMANS HAS MONOLOGUE. Ifhsiinjruished by the title of "grand old 'i*Wy of tht> stage," Annie Yeamans, who >Aatceetideid't)0 that honor upon the late Mrs. • <3 : lbertAs demise, has procured a mono- kcrav, and will pass i; over the footlights t«' Ifn- vaudeville public. Mil ET. Wilton has taken charge of Mrs. Waazoaii's bookings. The agent is arrang jzc: iarj opening date for Oct. 28. C. 0. H. GOES BACK. Chicago, Oet; 18b It is rumored here that the (Iha<rai£»> Opera House will revert to the Iegrtinsatee once again on Oct. 28, when a musical' 0miedv retakes the boards. The Opera House has played K* SL (T. vaudeville since the disastrous fire in ttie Olympia, since rebuilt. ^ffiVA AYMAR RETURNS. Ufter n reported marriage to Jimmy Ilrritt the pugilist, and an absence from Kast for a long time, Neva Aymar re- ui]jrpoa-ra 1 this week. "f?J*f has been engaged by Jos. Hart to Jwud his <r Dancinp Daisies," and will first uTipTeoar hi the act on Nov. 4. The name will be changed to 'Jos. Hart's 'Chame- ■\f*m<"' with Miss Aymar featured. The ;.yomnp xromari denies heT rumored nuptial ajTeement with liritt. V\t the time the reports circulated Miss \\ymxT was the head of 'The Rain-Dears," e 'yjtr' act then playing in San Fran- <cieou. «ODBXDWAta)S' "SHRIMPS." The next vaudeville act of Gus Ed *wmss will be called "Gus Edwards' ^i^rilnrps, , ' with Creorgia Kelly as the prin ripaJ. It is -vow in rehearsal.