Variety (September 1908)

TEN CENT© VOL, XII., NO. 2. SEPTEMBER 19, 1908. PRICE TEN CENTS. ENGLISH MANAGERS FIGHTING: MERGER GREATLY WEAKENED Payne Circuit "Bars" Gibbons' Houses; Moss-Stoll, DeFrece and Payne Still Left for "Combine"— Water Rats Buy Gibbons Stock (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Sept. 16. It's more' than an even-money bet the "merger" of the English variety man- agers has flopped. The Moss-Stoll Tour, the Payne houses and Walter DeFrece 'b Circuit are about the only houses of prominence forming the nucleus of the proposed Stoll combination. The Payne Circuit has "barred" acta playing the Gibbons' houses, and agents have been notified to this effect. It is undoubtedly an open breach between the Payne and Gibbons' houses with the Moss-Stoll chain likely to become in- volved. The Payne Syndicate is consid- ered affiliated with Moss-Stoll. It is also intimated in certain quarters that Thos. Barassford with his formid- able list of houses may form an opposi- tion to Moss-Stoll. Barassford through this is the artists' hope as against a "trust," although the vaudeville artists over here as a whole do not yet realize his strategic position which might inure to their benefit. Another complication in the already complex situation comes to-day in the un- confirmed report that the Water Rats has suddenly become a factor to be consid- ered by reason of its recent purchase of a block of stock in the Gibbons proper- ties. Although there are points of dis- similarity, the Rats' movement resembles in general the action of the White Rats of America in investing in active vaude- ville theatres through its "Investment Fund" plan. FIGHT ON "OFFICE COPY." (Special Cable to VARIETY.) London, Sept. 17. The fight is on in earnest against the iniquitous "office copy" contract which binds vaudeville artists for life to the serv- ice of agents. The Variety Artists' Fed- eration has made known its determination to do away entirely with the practice, and to-day issued orders to its members that they should pay no commission to agents under this hated instrument until the fight which the association has started for its abolition shall have come to a definite issue. This clause in the contracts between agent and artist has been the source of easy profit to the agent. He will not easily forego its benefit. The artist body, on the other hand, is equally determined and a big fight is looked for. A meeting was lately held between a V. A. F. committee and the agents to ar- rive at an understanding. "MIDNIGHT VAUDEVILLE" TAKING. Chicago, Sept. 17. Another restaurant here will take on "midnight vaudeville." This time it is the North American, several yards away from the Majestic Theatre. Six acts weekly will be used, supplied bv the Western Vaudeville Association. The other vaudeville restaurant is the "States." SECURES JACK LORIMER. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Sept. 17. Jack Lorimer, the Scotch eccentric com- edian, has been engaged by the William Morris branch here for a reappearance in America over the Morris Circuit. The contract was executed this week. "SALOME" STILL FEATURED. Chicago, Sept. 17. Notwithstanding the severe "roasting" Lotta Faust and her "Salome" dance re- ceived last week, both are still featured at the Garrick, where the dance is a part of Lew Fields' "The Girl Behind the Counter." AMERICAN ON OCTOBER 5. The American, New York, opens as a -vaudeville house on the Morris Circuit Oct. 5. The first bill will be composed of Four Mortons, Ross and Fenton, Howard and Harrison, Julian Rose, Barnold's Dogs, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Fitzsimmons, 3 Du- n:onds, Smirl and Kessner, "A Surprise" and pictures. Twenty-five cents to a dol- lar will be the prices. MORRIS' FULTON, SEPT. a6. The Fulton in Brooklyn, the new thea- tre erected over there and on the Morris Circuit, will open one week from to-night (September 20) with the following bill: Four Mortons, Boss and Fenton, Cliff Gordon, Grace Cameron, Yamamotos, Caryl Wilbur find Co. The Romanos, Smirl and Kessner and "A Surprise," be- sides pictures. The admission scale will be from 15 cents to a dollar. REVOKES VIRGINIA'S LICENSE. Chicago, Sept. 17. Mayor Busse has revoked the license of the Virginia Theatre for violation of ordi- nance in overcrowding the capacity lim- ited by the authorities. Amateur nights, when a big crowd collected, caused the complaint. Alterations will be made while the the- atre is closed. The management expects to soon reopen. GRAND OPERA AT HIPPODROME. Cleveland, Sept. 17. The Hippodrome is scheduled to open Saturday night upon a ten-weeks' season of grand opera. A ballet of 200 has been in rehearsal for several weeks. The or- chestra will have sixty pieces. William J. Wilson remains stage manager. Walter Brandt, formerly presiding in the box-office of Keith's, has been ap- pointed treasurer for the big playhouse. MARRIES IN AUSTRALIA. Sydney, Aug. 1. One of the Klos Sisters was married in Melbourne last work to Harold Bond. The bride is Maggie Sutherland, a brawnv Scotch lassie. Leonard Nelson, the well-known Australian comedian, acted aa best man. ST. LOUIS' FUNNY SITUATION. St. Louis, Sept 17. Despite reports to the contrary, it ia not believed all ir peace and harmony be- tween the Oppenheimer Brothers, who manage the American Theatre, and Mid- dleton & Tate, with the Western Vaude- ville Association of Chicago, managers of (he Columbia. Following the "settlement" last season between Klaw & Erlanger and the United Offices, the then building American, which was under contract to be booked by Wil- liam Morris, of New York, was placed in the W. V. A.'s office, the Columbia dis- continuing vaudeville upon the American opening. This was. said to have been a condition of the agreement then made by the Op- penheimers, and the report spread or was spread that the two theatres were "pooled." On Monday next (Sept. 21), after a large amount of money has been spent in improving the Columbia, that house re- opens with vaudeville, having Mclntyre and I loath as the headline feature. At the American Geo. Primrose" will lead the till. The common report is the Oppenheim- ers are now trying to figure how it hap- pened, nnd where they come in, not ex- act ly seeing how two houses in "friendly opposition" will benefit them any more than two in active competition. With both the St. Louis vaudeville houses book- ing through the Western Vaudeville As- sociation, and several members of that combine financially interested in the Co- lumbia, the American has no future sine- cure. KELLY'S PRICE FAR UP. London, Sept. 10. When Waller C. Kelly flays Glasgow, the manager will hand "The Virginia Judge" $025 for Mr. Kelly's presence each week and while in Sent land. Kelly hns a sfont bundle of contracts for English time. lOach '>ne reads for $. r iOO weekly, with extra .if.iry for all matinees played. This «•••■►: Mr Kelly is vacation- ing in London. ?!■<■ I'irkeiihcad house on the Barassford '''"Mr where he should have appeared bej-i^ uncompleted.