Variety (December 1907)

VARIETY EMPIRE OPENS SHUBERT. Last week's rumor that the Empire Cir- cuit Company would experience a setback in the opening of the Park, Brooklyn, a.s a burlesque theatre through the alleged op- position of the owners to that class of entertainment, proved entirely unfounded. The renamed Shubert opened Monday with Miner's "High Jinks" Company and the Burns-Moir fight pictures as special attraction. The patronage was rather light in the early part of the week, as was to have been expected, but* picked up later. Attendance perhaps suffered through an interdiction against smoking in the house, a prohibition upon which the owners in- sisted. Large signs at the entrance an- nounced that smoking was not permitted. It is expected that this order will be re- moved before many weeks. MAJESTIC OPENS IN LEXINGTON. Lexington, Ky., Dec. 27. The Majestic Theatre opened here this week a& a ten-cent vaudeville house under the management of Arthur Jack. It was closed two weeks ago owing to a dis- agreement between Messrs. Steves and Brott and a lack of funds. Mr. Jack bought Brott's interest in the place. BURLESQUE INVASION HURTS "LEGIT." Toronto, Dec. 27. With the new Gayety (Eastern Bur- lesque Wheel) in operation three weeks, it has h#»en noticed that the invasion of burlesque opposition has cut into the business of the popular priced legitimate houses of Toronto far more seriously than it has affected the patronage of its rival in the same field, the Star (West- ern Wheel), although the latter estab- lishment has felt the new conditions. Manager Stair, however, has met the opposition firmly and with the addition of special attractions to the Western shows has reduced desertions among his clientele to a minimum. Joe Gans, Young Muldoon and the Burns-Moir fight pictures, said to cost nearly $1,000, have been widely advertised at the Star and have brought results. Manager Henry is jubilant over the ex- cellent showing at tnVGayfcty. I"he\* last- week—the worst of the year—returned a good profit. PLAY REPLACES BURLESQUE FOR WEEK. Newark, Dec. 27. The possession of the Empire (Shubert) by the Western Burlesque Wheel will be interrupted for a week when a previous booking gives the Belasco play "The Rose of the Rancho" at the theatre for a short engagement. CHANGES IN HYDE SHOW. Following their engagement at the Pal- ace, Boston, week after next, "Hyde's Co- medians and Blue Ribbon Girls" will undergo radical changes. Richy Craig, the principal comedian, and Barney Williams, one of the two minor comedians, will leave together with Odell and Lamont, an act in the olio. No an- nouncement has been made as to their suc- cessors. It was reported this week that Lawrence Crane and Company, the chief olio attrac- tion with the show, would also retire, but this proved to be untrue. R. J. LANCASTER DEAD. Chicago, Dec. 27. R. J. Lancaster, for four years door-ten- der at the Folly, died Dec. 18, after a short illness. Mr. Lancaster was a brother-in-law of Col. James Butler, presi- dent of the Empire Circuit (Western Bur- lesque Wheel), and very popular. The remains were taken to St. Louis for interment by Mr. and Mrs. Butler, who, with relatives, were at the bedside of the deceased for several davs until the end came. Floral pieces were sent by John A. Fennessy, manager of the Folly; Colonel Whallen, of Louisville, and others. ADELAIDE HERRMANN. QUEEN OF MAGIC. Adelaide Herrmann, widow of the original Herrmann the Great, has received an offer of a year's engagement as court entertainer to the Sultan of Morroco. The American Consul, Col. Wallace Scott, is frequently requested to suggest some one as nn entertainer for His Serreflan Majesty and his royal court. Recently Col. Scott, on behalf of the Sultan, entered Into correspondence with Mine. Herrmann, resulting in the above offer, which may take the Queen of Magic from these shores. Like all Eastern monarchs, the Sultan or his attendants do not make any written agreements, nor do they promise to pay any given sum of money. However, in the case of artists, the Sultan ascertains the salary they command in other countries, ami on their departure they are rewarded with payment In English gold amounting to double the usual amount received elsewhere. All Orientals are Interested in magic and the fame of Mme. Herrmann's skill and that of her late husband's are well known to the Sultan, Alexander Herrmann (Herrmann the Great) having ap- peared before him on several occasions, so that Col. Scott's suggestion met with immediate royal approval. Mme. Herrmann has not as yet decided whether she will accept the offer, but It Is probable she will, after completing ber London engagement next spring. "PARISIAN BELLES" IN RHYME. Chas. E. Taylor, manager of the West- ern Burlesque Wheel show "Parisian Belles," is sending out press matter to at- tract attention to his organization in the form of a continuous rhyme, which con- tains an entire description of the piece and" casC ■•• • The following is a catchy sample of Mr. Taylor's poetic attempts: Yes, that's a title everybody knows. Don't tell me you've uot heard It, if you take in ull the shows. Tlie first part is called "A Pair of Plums." I guess they make things hum. They keep 'em laughing all the time, and you know that s going some. Lou Morgan and Ed West—two lively Dutchmen —form the plot, and it thickeus as it goes along and the pace is fierce and hot. There's the lively giddy widow with her very homely son, and the village pest—the "Sheriff"— to add to all the fun. There's the landlord, always busy, and the handsome hotel clerk. If we had him In the Hur- ley House he'd soon be put to work. Then there's Maida ('ash—Miss Gladys Sears- full of life and go; I even forgave her singing "In the Land of the Buffalo." The first part ends in a merry chase as some- times first parts will. And then comes on one big sensation—Taylor's "Scotch Lassies Drill."^ They go through evolutions; flashing bayonets' fly; I tried to make a hit with one, but I couldn't catch her eye. Then comes the olio, with the Sergons to the fore. Julian looking handsome, slimmer than In the days of yore. They end up with a little tele- phone song which pleased us one and all. We certainly hurt our hands, boys, to give them a good encore. Then on trips Gladys Sears again In character imitations. She sings a tricky Hebrew song anil sonirs of different nations; ends up with poor •'Marlutch" and wiggles a tiny bit. Yon bet the i'.udlence wanted some more; they were loth to let iier quit. On conies the Three Famous Armstrongs. They're a very graceful crew; forgotten more about hieycles than some teams ever knew. I can't describe the act to you. They do all tliat and more, and they well deserve the hand re- ceived, a merited encore. Then comes" the cloalng act. That giddy, gay old faker—of course you know who I mean -ine- ■ponfitble Louie Dacre, and when she's done her worst to shock the man on the door, the closing burletti opens up ami you hear the Johnnies roar. To see those sixteen shapely pairs of dainty silken tights, encasing dimpled daintiness, it's really a pretty sight. Then fun runs riot and the baby number, too. just wait for the Cyclone Dancer before the game Is through. Watch our Violet Dusetfa as she undulates a bit, and gives one particular shore, too. That mak< s the final hit. anil as they sing "III. hi. hi. hi" (whatever that may mean), you say the "Parisian Urlli s" is Just as good as you have seen, and you can't forget the chorus as on your way you go. for you remember without the cboras girls, there'd be no burlesque show. THEATRES CHANGE OWNERS. Des Moines, la., Dec. 27. I. Ruben, owner of the Lyric, has as- sumed control of the Empire. The house will continue vaudeville, playing three a day. licit Goldman, for a number of years acting manager of the Empire, has pur- chased two theatres, one in Fort Dodge and one in Mason City. He will open January 7, with vaudeville, splitting the week between his houses. GAYETY MANAGER RETIRES. Pittsburg, Dec. 27. James Orr, manager of the Gayety The- atre (Eastern Burlesque Wheel), has re- tired from that post at the Hyde & Beh- man local house. He has been here sev- eral years, having taken charge of the (.'ayety following the acquisition of the Duqucsne by the Shuberts. Previously he v as manager of that house. He has been identified with vaudeville and burlesque ever since his early youth, having been in the employ of Harry Williams for years. NEW BURLESQUE FOR "HIGH JINKS." Miner's "High Jinks" burlesque com- pany, which is qpening the Shubert The- atre, Brooklyn, as a Western Burlesque Wheel house this week, will undergo still further changes following this engagement. The two-act piece used by the "Dream- land Burlesquers" last season under the title of "Roseland" is now their offering. The second act will be eliminated and replaced by a new burlesque being written by Dave Marion. New scenery is already being painted, and it is planned to put the new afterpiece on within a week or two. The cast of the "High Jinks" company i.> being revised and enlarged. Harvey Brooks, James Doherty and the "Three Variety Girls" have been added to the cast in place of Joseph and Nellie Doner, who retire. JOSEPHINE COHAN. The five ovals on the front page this week are devoted to Josephine Cohan's latest photos. Miss Cohan is now closing a highly successful engagement of two weeks at the New York Theatre, where, with her company, she has presented a new and novel one-act comedy entitled "The Oirl of 'The Times,'" written by Fred Xiblo. It is over a year .since Miss Cohan has played in New York City, having only re- turned from an extensive tour abroad, which embraced Europe, Asia and Africa. The "Dark Continent" was given the greater attention by Miss Cohan, and. being an enthusiastic amateur photog- rapher, she secured a unique collection of "snap shots." For novelty of subjects and remoteness of locality, they have probably never been equaled by a woman. Mi--^ Cohan baa many interesting curios from Zululand, Zanzibar and Mas- saland, ;ill found especially interest ins to her, and h;is hundreds of photographs of the natives many of whom h;i<l never- set eyes upon a white female before, At the close of her present vaudeville engagements (next May) Miss Cohan with her husband. Mr. Niblo, will again ,sail for the Mediterranean, visiting Morocco. Spain and Portugal on their next trip. GENEE REPLACED. London, Dec 10. Topsy Sindcn, late principal dancer at Daly's, replaces Adele C.enee at the Em- pire. Miss Genee goes to America. BURLESQUE IN HOBOKEN. Dave Kraus announced this week that he had taken title to a plot of ground at 11th and Washington streets, Hoboken, N. J., and would build a theatre on the site as soon as he could have plans from an architect. Mr. Kraus intimated that the house would be devoted to burlesque, hilt said that it had not, been offered to either Wheel. M. M. Thiese, with whom Kraus is associated in business, is not in- terested in the enterprise.