Variety (June 1908)

VARIETY BOOKINGS HELD UP. There has been a cessation of bookings for next season, not at any time up to date unduly active, at the United Book- ing Offices, caused by the action of the smaller managerial group in the agency. The engagements have been made by. the small managers so. far with a prom- ise that in conjunction with the time placed over the little circuit, acts would receive in addition dates for the larger houses, at a salary to be fixed upon. No complaints or disagreements arose by this method, and routings were swim- ming along nicely, about 40 acts having been routed last week, when it came to the knowledge of the smaller group that the big circuits were making next season's engagements without consulting or con- sidering the lesser time. A conference held at once upon receipt of this information brought the small managers to a realization that without the co-operation of the large circuits, the little houses would be without contracted features for next season, with the proba- bility that when the headline™ were sought, the price would hit the roof—for them. Routing was adjourned sine die with haste, and E. F. Albee called into the con- ference. Mr. Albee acknowledged the jus- tice of the claim the infant magnates made, and the matter was to have been placed upon an equitable footing upon the general manager's return from Cleveland the middle of this week. Rumors of dissatisfaction among the smaller managers which have been re- peatedly bandied about of late were ve- hemently denied by one of the group. This manager said there had been no confer- ence on this or kindred subjects as re- ported, the sole argument arising from time to time being such as is apt to crop up among a mass of managers booking their own theatres, but that these argu- ments did not affect the interests of the smaller crowd or the booking agency. A number of acts are in process of rout- ing by the smaller .managers before the contracts have been executed, the issuing of the agreements given individually by each manager following the placing of all the dates. RATS WITHOUT BUTTONS. On Wednesday last mnnj mnmhrm of the White Rats were observed along Broadway without wearing the emblem of the order in the lapel of their coats, a customary, although not obligatory, man- ner of making known their connection with the organization in the past. Two or three being questioned, smiled mysteriously. The regular weekly meet- ing having been held the evening before, it finally became known that no White Rat hereafter will display the emblem while in Greater New York. No reason is assigned for the move. GERTIE HOFFMANN FIXED UP. It's all right; that troubled expression Max Hoffmann sometimes assumes has received its notice. Max's wife, Gertrude, after playing an engagement of two weeks on Hammerstein's Roof, commenc- ing June 29, will pass under the manage- ment of Gest ft Gomstock, who will star Miss Hoffmann in a Revue to be produced. PRODUCING MANAGERS MEET. A special meeting, attended by 100 members, of the National Theatrical Pro- ducing Managers was held on Tuesday last. Several important items of interest to theatricals, and. the managers in particu- lar, were taken up. A contract to be of universal form for all theatrical engagements in every branch of the profession was discussed. The question of free passes by house managers was given serious attention. The debate on this followed along the lines of having the traveling manager supervise the passes issued by the the- atre, with power of restricting the number during the engagement of his show. A resolution was adopted at the meet- ing requiring all members to furnish a bond for $1,000 each, which will be for- feited when proof is obtained that one manager has solicited the services of an actor while under contract to another, though the contract carries a "notice" clause. The piracy practiced by transfer bag- age men in one-night stands will be made a point of correction by the Association, and another matter talked over is the condition in Canada, where Americans are obliged to pay duty on property taken over the border, while English companies are allowed to import into the United States under bond. The lack of proper copyright relations existing between this country and Canada was also gone into, the. reproducing of native pieces in Canada allowing of no re- dress to the owners of the American copy- right. PLANNING FOR NEXT TEAR. The officials of the Stair ft Havlin Cir- cuit held a long meeting Wednesday, dur- ing which the theatrical situation was thoroughly gone into and plans were laid out for next season. A large amount of material which was subjected to criticism last year is said to have been taken again, but the per- sonnel of the companies will be improved. A special effort will be made to im- prove the quality of the attractions offered on the Southern time. Jake Wells is said to have peremptorily refused to take on any of the shows produced by an important New York manager. The burlesque question was not dis- cussed. PERFORMING COWS AT HAMMER- STEIN'S. Paris, June 2. According to information, New York is to see a show, quite unique, which will go there from Paris. It is Delito del "Oro, with her Six Brit- tany Performing Cows from the Nouveau Cirque. . The woman is of Italian extraction, and in due at Hammerstein's the middle of August, with her husband, Babylas, the clown. It is a good number, and should please old and young Americans. AN ALL AROUND NEWCOMER. The Madison Square Roof Revue will open Saturday night, June 20. Charles Alpin, who wrote the book, music and lyric*, will stage and produce it. Mr. Al- phin also selected the cast. He is a new- comer in the east. MARTIN BECK, PLEASE NOTE. t Chicago, June 11. Following the appearance of Alice Lloyd at the Majestic this week re-occurred to the theatrical people in the city the late proclamation of Martin Beck's anent "song plugging," and. ihe_ suggestion that artists sing only their own songs. With Miss Lloyd's advent into town with her own purchased and copyrighted numbers, it developed that in houses booked by the Western Vaudeville Asso- ciation, of which Mr. Beck is the acknowl- edged head, the Engl'sh singer's numbers have been pirated. Miss Lloyd's feature song "Looking for the Lovelight" was sung at the Olympic, here; also at the Majestic, Milwaukee, un- der the guise of an "imitation" by Edna Luby, who had no compunction in the ef- fort, taking the "mirror effect" as well, although she had previously been prevented at Keith's, Philadelphia, from producing her "novelty." One other song, "What Are You Getting At, Eh?" which Miss Lloyd brought over was also sung in Chicago by another Eng- lishwoman, without any protest from the local Kohl ft Castle management. The remarks about town this week are that if Mr. Beck is sincere in his reforms, he might specifically instruct the Western Vaudeville Association on the subject, since it is known that office, through its New York branch, received notification that Miss Luby would attempt to pirate Miss Lloyd's song in the West, and a request to forbid it was made, as the owner of the number was also booked for this sec- tion. NORWORTH-BAYES WEDDING. Atlantic City, June 11. Following the closing performance of tliis week's engagement (the opening one) of "The Follies of 1908" at the Apollo, Norah Bayes and Jack Norworth will be- come man and wife, according to their own statement. The wedding will occur sometime on Sunday In New Jersey probably. Miss Bayes will appear in the show when it opens the New York Roof on Monday next. Mr. Norworth is headlining a vaudeville bill here this week. AMERICAN REMAINS CLOSED. There is nothing on the horizon at pres- ent to disturb the summer peaceful seren- ity of the American Theatre, which now rests upon it. William H. Parry, who was negotiating for the house, did not produce on scheduled time a matter of $1,000 asked for as a guarantee during his tenancy, which left no other bidder in sight. It is probable the American will not re- open until the Morris Circuit installs its vaudeville there. The headliner of the first Morris American program will be Harry Lauder, some time in October. ANOTHER HENRY DIXEY. There is another Henry Dixey, not so famous as his father, but this son of "Adonis," Henry Dixey. Jr., is but twenty years of age. He will shortly be seen in vaudeville in a comedy sketch entitled "Looking for a Backer," with Mona Des- mond. The piece will open at Atlantic City. Jules Ruby is the agent. BARS MAUD ALLAN. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, June 10. Maud Allan, the sensational dancer, who has been the rage of London at the Palace, was prohibited from presenting her dance in Manchester this week. Al- fred Butt, manager of the Palace, has Miss Allan under his direction. At Newcastle this week also an at- tempt was made by the "Watch Commit- tee" of the town to stop La Milo, who has been the cause in England of a great deal of discussion on draperies. Oswald Stoll, of the Moss-Stoll Tour (La Milo appearing at a house on that cir- cuit), wired the dancer to go on with her number, and to disregard all committees of any kind. The Newcastle "Watch Com- mittee" was much puzzled at this, turn of affairs, and no further action taken up to the present, although the incident has caused much excitement. Americans who have seen the Maud Al- lan dance at the Palace, London, say that nowhere over here would it be accepted excepting upon Broadway. La Milo has created any amount of comment abroad over her "artistic poses." In the provincial towns, where she was billed to appear after her much talked about London engagement, the local au- thorities and English "Anthony Corn- stocks" were thrown into Strenuous agita- tion as to the effect of her appearance upon the moral sensibilities of the towns- people. SUNDAY OPENING IN SALT LAKE. Commencing with the opening of next season at the Orpheum, Salt Lake City, which will occur on July 26, that house will start its weeks on Sundays. Heretofore the show week in Salt Lake has commenced with the Monday night performance. The city has greatly grown in the past few years, and with a route which can be adjusted to meet the new condition, the change from eleven to four- teen shows weekly in the Mormon town was decided upon. Following the Salt Lake City opening, the Orpheum, Denver, starts its season August 2, and from then until September 7, when the last of the chain reopens, all the Orpheums will go into action. 66 a-3 PER CENT. INCREASE FOR DILLON. Before entering upon his contract with The Morris Circuit, calling for his appear- ance on this side for twenty-five weeks, with an option for fifteen in addition at a salary increased 60 2-3 per cent, over that received last year, William A. Dillon, the monologist, will play in England for four weeks, opening on September 7. The Morris contract held by Mr. Dillon calls for his American appearance on October 12. LA SYLPHE IN NEW YORK. The foreign toe dancer, La Sylphe, who has been plsying in the West for a portion of the past season, will appear in New York shortly. She is due to be seen at Hemmerstein's on June 29, Alexia con- cluding her engagement the Saturday previously. La Sylphe has an elaborate stage set- ting, and the costuming is also a feature of the act.