Variety (June 1908)

VARIETY FIRE SCARE KILLS JEPSON. Cleveland, 0., June 4. • Campbell & Drew's Colonial Theatre lias housed the vaudeville show from Keith's this week, following a fire in that house in which Eugene Jepson was stricken with heart disease and died. The damage from fire did not exceed $18,000 and there was no panic in the audi- ence. Jepson was in his dressing room when it started. There was some excite- ment back of the stage and when he learned the cause, Jepson, who had been ill for some time, fainted from shock. He was dead 'before medical air could be summoned. A representative of the Fire Depart- ment first discovered the flames in a ven- tilating fan on the roof and attacked the outbreak immediately with extinguishers. The audience left the house quietly and there was no casualty in front. Farrell Bros, replaced Jepson. The body was con- veyed to Hartford Ct., for burial. Manager Harry Daniels rapidly trans- ferred everything from Keith's to the Colonial, where the night performance was given. Press Agent Ned Hastings, from the stage, saii there was no danger, and a>ked the audience to leave the theatre quietly, and all riled out at an easy gait. The Delmore Sisters did an act of bravery, continuing singing "See Saw" until the house was empty. The burned theatre will not re-open un- til Labor Day. i Eugene Jepson was playing in "The Mayor and the Manicure" with Mrs. Jep- son and her sister. The piece has won a large measure of success in vaudeville. He was a man of wide stage experience. One of his first public appearances was in a minor role of "Ciirofle-Girorla," although he had been a church singer in Hartford, his home town, and New York. During his connection with "Girofle- Girofla," the baritone of that organization fell ill and Jepson was hurriedly substi- tuted. He held the more important part in the cast for sixteen weeks. Later he was a member of Denman Thompson's "Joshua Whitcomb" Com- pany under the management of J. H. Hill, and under the same management supported 'Margaret Blather in Shake* ipearian repertoire. For four years he v>as a member of the famous August in Daly Stock Company, being associated with Ada Rehan, the bite Mrs. Gilbert, John Drew, James Lewis and Charles Fishe^ He was engaged by Charles Frohman to support Maude Adams in her first starring tour and played Lord Rintoul in "The Little Minister." He had also en- acted important roles in many of Mr. Kroh mail's important productions. Mr. Jepson and his company had book- ings for next season over the Orpheum Circuit. Edward Darling, of the United Booking Offices, and also If. S. Rentham, Mr. Jep- son's agent, had attempted to persuade the actor to forego the Cleveland engagement on the outward trip, but Mr. Jepson in- sisted upon keeping it. The United would have preferred that the sketch played Cleveland upon the return from the Coast. CASEY SENDS AGENT ABROAD. The "Campania," sailing to-day, carries A. E. Johnson, the foreign representative of the Pat Casey Agency, whose mission abroad it is announced will be to fulfill assignments given the agency by large amusement purveyors in this city for for- eign attractions. One of the show places the Casey Agency has been authorized to book for, it is reported, is a very large playhouse in New York which has heretofore re- ceived, most of its foreign acts ("circus" numbers) through one international agency. The principal object of Mr. Johnson's trip, however, is believed to be the con- summation of negotiations by correspond* ence with Paul Schurz, the German agent in Berlin, with whom a connection will be made for the booking and exchange of native and foreign acts. Several American vaudeville numbers which have placed their foreign engage- ments with the Casey Agency will be closed by Johnson while on the other side, he having been in communication with the powers-that-be over there in reference to them. Queen's hotel, Leicester Square, London, will be Mr. Johnson's address while away. START WORK IN WASHINGTON. Washington, June 4. Ruilding operations will commence here next week on the n&w -vaudeville hon«e on II St;e»?t. The future affiliations of the projected theatre are clouded in mystery. All that W. F. Thomas, the promotor, would say on this point was that Chase, the Washington vaudeville manager, would have no interest in the enterprise. The new house will be called The Audi- torium. The site is on II Street, near the Treasury building. The house will have room to seat 3,000 and in addition to the main auditorium will contain a roof garden and skating rink in the basement. MR. HAMMERSTEIN LOSES 30 LBS. "I lost 30 pounds while abroad," re- marked Oscar Hammerstein, the operatic Napoleon, upon returning from his for- eign visit last Saturday. Mr. Hammer- stein explained in reply to an inquiry that by "pounds" avoirdupois mas meant, not English money, and the captor of all the high vocal lights allowed a grim smile of satisfaction to pass over his coun- tenance when a bystander remarked his trip had cost the management of his op- position (Metropolitan Opera House) even more. Mr. Hammerstein was in excellent health, and held a reception on his Roof Monday BUSH WINS FROM BERNSTEIN. Frank Bush, the story teller, was given the verdict in the City Court on Monday before a jury when the action for dam- ages brought against him by Freeman Bernstein was tried. Bernstein had placed Bush under con- tract to p!ay in a piece in which also May Ward, Mr. Bernstein's wife, was to be featured. An agreement was entered into between the men upon Bush accept- ing a Klaw & Erlanger contract for the past season to the effect that Bernstein should receive weekly from Bush $35 bonus for his release from the legitimate engagement which Rush played the vaude- ville time. Mr. Bush remitted to Bernstein the amount for nine weeks when payments ceased. Bernstein sued for the remainder of the sixteen weeks under the K. & E. contract, amounting to $560. evening. Two sets of scenery are in use at Ham- merstein's for Alexia. The settings on the n of and stage downstairs remains stationary during the engagement. DAISY DUM0NT IN FIELDS SHOW. The engagement of Daisy Dumont for the Lew Fields show "The Girl Behind the Counter" was entered this week, Miss Dumont canceling her United Booking Offices time to accept the contract. Miss Dumont will have the role taken by Louise Dresser the past season. M. S. Bentham. who is Miss Dumont's agent, negotiated the legitimate contract for her. It dates from the commencement of the road tour next fall. Clara Raymond has signed as soubrette for next season with Sam A. Scribner. NO DIVISION; NO CONCERT. The concert given on the "Cedric," ar- riving in this port on Saturday last, net- ted The Actors' Fund of America and the Benevolent Fund of Variety Artists' Federation, England, $b\ll each. This amount^ represented 25 per cent, of the collection made, and has been turned over to the charities by Herbert Lloyd, who returned upon the boat. Mr. Lloyd lead the protest of the pro- fessionals against appearing at the cus- tomary ship concert unless a division was made for the benefit of the profession. This was finally agreed to by the Captain on behalf of the White Star Line, which owns the "Cedric." About a year ago R. G. Knowles agi- tated this question, and the White Rats of America passed a resolution at that time that no member should appear at any concert on the seas where a collec- tion was taken unless a percentage of the receipts was to be applied to the Actor's Fund. Mr. Lloyd as a White Rat and V. A. F. declined to appear excepting upon this condition, and was aided in his endeavor to force a recognition of the orders, of which he is a member, by Nate Leipsig, Frank Powell, Fred West, Ernest Hill and Eleanor Hicks. During the outward trip about two montlLs ago on the "Oceanic," also a White Star liner, Mr. Lloyd and his pro- fessional companion declined to contribute their services for the same reason, with the result no concert could be given. Without the theatrical element taking part, the "concert" on an ocean ship is a very amateurish proceeding, arousing no enthusiasm with a diminished collection. These collections from time immemorial have been handed over to the Seamen's Fund, one of the wealthiest charities in existence, with principal offices in Lon- don, although the Sailor's Home at Snug Harbor (S. I.) is maintained by it. Upon landing Mr. Lloyd called atten- tion to the reversal of the stand taken by the respective captains of the two steam- ers on the same line, and cited it as an example of what could be done in the matter of ocean going concerts if all pro- fessionals would be resolute when their services were requested, On the "Cedric," Mrs. Nate 1-eipsig and Minnie Bretl acted as collectors and dis- posed of the programs. Hundreds of boats arrive and leave yearly. Seldom does one enter or depart with out professionals. On June IS, Mr. Lloyd returns again to the other siuc, where he will present under his management next season "Happy Hooligan" and "A Millionaire Tramp." For the shows there have been engaged Joseph .1. Sullivan, Lester and Moure. John K. Hawlev and Jack Henrv. Mr. Lloyd will personally manage and di- rect the tour of 'Happy hooligan" with- out taking part in the performance. During his absence in England Finest Hill will be commissioned to present Mr. 1 loyd's vaudeville act on this side, and an expert juggler will be installed in addition. J FANE FRANSIOLI. Jeane Pranainli la the ha'idw.me statuesque assistant !• lloraee Goldln, the Illusionist, ami has been referred to as "the best dressed woman in vaudeville, on and off the stnKe." Whether !n the theatre or on the Mreet. Mis* KranaloH in a striking Agar*, and her presence In Mr. Ooldln'a number lends an additional ebarm to It, while she ia of material t»l<l to him in 11 *•- illusions. "The Colonial Septet" *nd the Bell Boy Trio have been engaged for the Western States Vaudeville Association time by Louifl Pincus of the Casey Agency. Both acts open at Spokane on June 14 for a trip of ten weeks each.