Variety (September 1913)

VARIETY U 1913 SHOWS' GETAWAY IS POOR; UNPARALL ELED A LONG B'WAY But One Capacity Hit in Fairs New Play Crop. Two Hold-Overs Among the Few Favorites. Musical and Dramatic Pieces Treated Witliout Partiality. Managers Hoping Settled Conditions Will Improve Attendance. Score to 1913 the very worst the- atrical getaway for a new theatrical season in the history of the theatres of Manhattan's showdom, but one is full blast, every theatre in town being open save two (one of which is on the outskirts), the returns that re tumbling in to the two big clearing houses of the business, as well as the figures of the few unattached theatres, consummate a story of public disin- terest without parallel in the box of- fice records of any fortnight following Labor Day in the annals of Broadway. This, too, despite the concession that brilliant spots here and there, and an average run of normal successes, be- sides two big hold-over hits, dot the lists of the town's new play bills. The managers are unable to explain the condition. They admit the weather has been ideal for indoor shows; that practically everybody is back in town; that the hotels are filled with out-of- town folk, buyers and home-going va- cationists, and general trading brisk. Yet, despite these auspices, general public apathy toward the theatres pre- vails. Of 28 attractions bidding for the patronage that supports the bulk of Manhattan's showdom, but one is approximating capacity. One of the big musical productions of the past ten days, headed by a popular lyric star, can already be seen at less than box- office rates via seats being sold by speculators. Another musical attrac- tion of imported origin, heralded as a phenomenal hit, attracts capacity houses Saturdays only, ^ catching a good downstairs attendance generally during the week, but playing to light balconies. One of the biggest musical hits of Broadway's last season, headed by twin stars, leaves town after this week, fol- lowing a vain attempt to recapture its former measure of patronage. An- other new important Broadway musical piece headed by a male star of unde- niable draft, hailed as a success, is barely struggling along in hope that time may mend its fortunes. The shift of another musical play from an ex- pensive theatre to a less costly play- house simultaneous with a cut in its prices of admission, is another straw showing the direction of the wind. Further conspicuously illustrating the early season's theatregoing indiflfer- ence is the experience of .a twain of musical comedy stars at the head of a big musical production critically ac- claimed a success, at one of the most popular of Broadway's playhouses, for which performance the best down- stairs' seats may be bought at the box office a half hour before show time, even on Saturday night. But for the money paid into the box offices of the theatres in bulk l^y the hotel theatre seat agencies (some of the hotel ticket investors advancing as much as $10,- 000 weekly for the first four weeks of shows), several of the new musical pieces now hanging on would be open- ly heading for the road. And no less unhappy arc conditions in the ranks of plays not musical. Charles Frohman's sudden withdrawal of the elaborate production of "Much Ado About Nothing," with which he signalized the return of John Drew to the Empire theatre, is another link in the general chain of concession. A fl^w French farce brought to town Monday night will probably find eight performances sufficient for its stay in New York. Another foreign farce, re- cently premiered, and counted upon for a run until Christmas, packed up and stole away last Saturday. And so the records go, all along the line, with but slight variation from the general experience, and with man- agers hoping for new conditions when the vacation spirit is entirely out of the air and Manhattan's five million people have really settled down to business for the fall and winter. GONE WITH "TIK TOK." Cincinnati, Sept. 17. Charlotte Greenwood and Sydney Grand are here rehearsing with Moros- co's "Tik Tok Man of Oz." They will replace Josie Intropdi and Charles Pur- cell. Miss Intropdi gave the show two weeks' notice. She has been engaged for a New York production. Miss Greenwood anti Mr. Grant left "The Passing Show of 1913" at the Winter Garden, New York, Saturday. Monday their substitutes in that com- pany made their debut. MAXIM*S TO C50VENT GARDEN. Margaret Mudge, the former soloist at Maxim's, who went abroad and carved out a name and salary for her- self, is going back to London in De- cember to sing at Covent Garden at a salary said to be $1,400 weekly. A manager formerly connected with the Metropolitan Grand Opera House here swung the contract for Miss Mudge and the London 'theatre man- agement. •♦OH, I SAY" IN CASINO. The Shubert production of "Oh, I Say" will open at New Haven Sept. 24, for its first time out, remaining on the road two weeks or more, when it will probably enter New York at the Ca- sino, replacing there "Lieber Augus- tin," recently opened. If yon don't adv«rtlw in VARIETY, don't advertise at all. BROADHURST'S "TODAY." ''Today," adapted by George Broad- hurst from "Style," a "Yiddish" play written by one Sohmer, will be thi next attraction at the 48th Street, fol- lowing "Kiss Me Quick.' which leaves there Sept. 20 to take to the one- nighters for a week or so before land- ing at the Cort, Chicago. "Today" is financed by Harry Von Tilzer and Minnie Seligman. As gone over by Mr. Broadhurst it is said to be a very strong piece, with the kick in the final act. The Broadhurst drama is pretty cer- tain of a showing in the William A. Brady theatre. EARLY RETURNS DISAPPOINT. Emma Trentini in "The Firefly" is said to have done something like $9,000 last week at the Royal, the new Bronx theatre, far less than was expected. The "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" show at the Prospect (Bronx) last week did not do as well as expected either, the hot weather and Trentini hurting. The week end business was up to expectations. BELASOO SHOW REHEARSING. Five David Belasco productions are to go into rehearsal between now and spring, says report. Of these the new play for Frances Starr will be the last instead of the first, as originally planned by the producer. Miss Starr's piece is slated for March. "A Good Little Devil" commenced rehearsing Monday, having been de- layed through the illness of Mary Pick- ford. David Warfield and "The Auc- tioneer" are on the verge of readiness. Sept. 29 "The Temperamental Jour- ney" will move from the Belasco to the Republic. Warfield in "The Auc- tioneer" will open at the Belasco that day. DANOREY NEXT WEEK. The debut of Anne Dancrey in "The Passing Show of 1913" at the Winter Garden has been postponed until next Monday. The French girl was to have appeared last Monday. During the week she has been giving her full performance before the Shu- berts, who have selected the 4)ortions they think suitable for New York. Chorus rehearsals for numbers Dancrey will sing have also been held. PRINCE IN ROSS ROLE. Milwaukee, Sept. 17. At the close of the week's engage- ment of "The Passing Show of 1912" at the Davidson, Charles J. Ross left the company to go into vaudeville with his wife, Mabel Fenton, in burlesque (<i classic plays. Ross is succeeded by Charles Prince, who joined the organization here. ♦•INNOCENT SINNER" ACCEPTED The F, C. Whitney producing com- pany has accepted a new musical piece entitled "The Innocent Sinnor," which will be placed into rehearsal at once. POP STOCK. The Amphion, Brooklyn, now under the direction of Steve King, and at present playing pictures, will shortly install a stock company at 10-15-25. EMPIRE, NEW YORK, DARK. The Empire is dark next week. Sept 29 John Drew will appear in two plays, "The Will," C. Haddon Chambers' com- edy, and "The Tyranny of Tears." Bus- iness fell away oflf on the "Much Ado About Nothing" and even a generous distribution of paper isn't helping this week's padding of the house. Next week will be spent in rehearsing of the new pieces. "PARLOR MATCH" AGAIN. Charles E. Evans is going back to his big musical comedy success of an- other generation, Charles Hoyt's "A Parlor Match." The tour is now being booked, and the business arrangements completed. The company is selected, save a play- er for the role of "Old Hoss," played originally by William Hocy. The season opens Thanksgiving week. ABARBANELL IN **RED OANARY." "The Red Canary," which has Tonx Barnes from vaudeville as principal comedian, will open at Ford's, Balti- more, Sept. 29, for a week, with Lina Abarbanell featured in the leading feminine role. From Baltimore the show is reported due in Boston. The Mackie Amuse- ment Co. is behind the production. It will carry a chorus of 18 girls. "GIRLS" FAILS. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) London, Sept. 17. At the Prince of Wales's the l^e Clyde Fitch's "Girls" is a dismal fail- ure. It was put on hastily when Albert de Courville found he would have to postpone the opening of the Leon- cavallo operette. "SEALED ORDERS" LACKS CLIMAX (Special Cable to Varibtt.) London, Sept. 17. "Sealed Orders," produced at the Drury Lane, is great for three acts, but the last has an airship scene which lets it down with a thud. The papers are boosting the show, and business is certain to hold up for a time. "THE PEARL" ABROAD, SEPT. 20. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) London, Sept. 17. "The Pearl and the Girl" will be produced at the Shaftesbury Sept. 26. "INTERLOPERS" GETS BY. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) London, Sept. 17. "The Interlopers" at the Royalty has been very well received, but the news- papers are indifferent in their criticisms of the piece. DE DKYN UPSTATE. Schenectady, N. Y., Sept. 17. Arrangements have been made for Sevorin De Deyn to head a new stock company here at the Mohawk. It will open about Oct. 1. Dp Deyn has been a leading man and stock nianaf^'er for years. ALICE IIKC;K.MA\ WALKS OUT. Alice Hcfj^ctnan. riluarsiriK with Klaw tS: Krlanj^cr's "Little ("ate," left the coini)any very sii(|(|«-nly Inst week.