Variety (January 1914)

VARIETY 11 CARNEGIE TECH WILL MAKE STAGE LE ARNED PROFESSION Iron Master's Technical Institution Proposes to Train Actors, Managers and Mechanics in Its Own Theatre, Giving Graduates Degree of "Bachelor of the Drama" After Plan of Pulitzer's School of Journalism. Pittsburgh, Jan. 7. A new theatre, different from any in existence and built with a purpose that should interest universities throughout the country and lead to a new factor in the theatrical world, is being completed in Pittsburgh. It will be part of the Carnegie Institute of Technology, An- drew Carnegie's pet foundation, and its purpose is to produce plays, act them, teach acting, theatrical mechanics, such as lighting, and scenic technique to pro- duce actors and send out successful farces, comedies and dramas on the regular circuits. . The theatre is part of the School of Applied Design building and seats 400 persons. It is the first of its kind to be built by a school. The Carnegie theatre will be opened April 23 with the presentation of a Sheakespearean play in which every- thing from properties to actors will be Tech products. Thomas Wood Stevens has been appointed head of a special faculty and the department in charge will be known as the School of Drama, leading to a degree of "Bachelor of Drama." The biggest feature about all move- ments begun by the institute is their practicability. It is planned not to pro- duce a crop of college lads who look smart and cut up, such as the big col- leges send out annually on a tour, but practical actors, stage electricians, car- penters and playwrights. Every part of the theatrical business down to the printing of tickets and collecting at the box office will be cared for, but none of the drawbacks, such as ticket scalp- ing, will be taught. Special attention will be given those students learning scene painting and stage lighting and decoration with a view of developing methods which will improve the theatre. Many of the first students to be enrolled will be from the electrical engineering department. They may make experiment. Enrollment begins in February. In the last year of the course each student will specialize in some branch of the- atrical work. Theatrical men known throughout the country will be brought here to teach and give lectures and ad- vice. CHICAGO CHANGES. Chicago, Jan. 7. Many changes marked the first week of the New Year and the theatrical map was pretty well made over. David Warfield brought his revival of "The Auctioneer" to Powers' Mon- day night. "The Honeymoon Ex- press" came to the Garrick Sunday, succeeding William Hodge, who took "The Road to Happiness" over to the Princess to continue the biggest run of the season. "Nearly Married" arrived at Cohau's to replace Raymond Hitchcock in "The Beauty Shop" and "A Modern Girl," produced at the Cort some time ago, came to the Olympic for a short run. GOING WITH DILLINGHAM. Chicago, Jan. 7. Halligan and Sykes, who recently were the big hit in "A Trip to Wash- ington," the La Salle Opera house pro- duction, will be in one of the big Chas. B. Dillingham productions next season. The team is now making a tour of the Interstate time. "HONEYMOON" VERY BIG. Chicago, Jan. 7. The success of "The Honeymoon Express" with Al Jolson at the Garrick has been phenomenal. Large numbers were turned away, both Sunday and Monday, and the advance sale indicates big box office takings. Manager John J. Garrity says the opening was better than that of "The Passing Show" last season. "SOUL KISS" GIRLS HELPED. Kansas City, Jan. 7. "The Soul Kiss" went to smash last week in Lamar, Mo. Most of the members of the company have enough tc get back to Chicago, but four chorus girls, Vinginia Westland, Maxine True- man, Maybelle La Rue, and Katherine Fark found themselves with only 90 tents between them and nothing in sight but restaurants. The county court heard of their predicament and appropriated $95 to the girls. Other money was subscribed by the good people of the town, and Sheriff Evil- sizer—all right despite his name—pre- sented the purse. "DUCHESS" EXPENSIVE. "The Madcap Duchess" is giving up its tenancy of the Globe Saturday night and takes to the road for three or four weeks with another big city as the ultimate stopping place for an expected long engagement. The "Duchess" is going to prove a costly road proposition, about $10,000 a week being required to run it. Thos. W. Ryley's "Queen of the Movies" goes into the Globe next week. WM. FARNUM IN REP. New Orleans, Jan. 7. When here with the Lillian Russell show William Farnum stated John Cort would in all probability star him next season in a Shakespearian reper- toire. "MOVIES" SHOW GOOD. Atlantic City, Jan. 7. Thomas Ryley's American version of the musical comedy "The Queen of Movies" was seen for the first time at the Apollo Jan. 1. The book and lyrics were converted from the German by Glen MacDonough. Jean Gilbert sup- plied the music. The new show has many clever novelties, some very catchy music, a rich production and is very good en- tertainment. A part of the score was colorless, but that may have been due to the mediocre conducting of only a fair orchestra. The setting for the first act, showing the entrance hall of a New York hotel is said to be the most massive that has been put on the stage. No attempt was made to bring it here, the hotel setting of the "Count of Luxembourg" being used instead. The interior used in the second act and the exterior in the third, showing the entrance to a motion picture palace, Both showed that money has not been spared in the production. The costumes, too, brought something new, and one set of girls wearing "powder puff" dresses at- tracted much attention. Valli Valli showed some fine acting, but was handicapped through a throat affection, purposely going easy on her singing. There is no question about Felix Adler pulling down the honors in the male contingent, though the work of Frank Moulan was brilliant and he caused many laughs. Adler does a picture director who has an impedi- ment in his speech. The role originally afforded relief from stuttering by swear- ing. That is when he was stuck, a few cuss words would enable him to "come through" with the rest of the sentence. Felix changed it so that instead of j wearing he would sing a snatch of some popular song. He got a laugh each time he did it. Others in the cast who stood out were John Goldsworthy, Alice Dovey, Jeanette Horton and Dan Collyer. The elevator, used in the first act, was watched with interest. It was about the most real thing in that line yet seen and served to allow Miss Dovey and Mr. Goldsworthy to sing a duet suspended half way to the arch. When "The Queen of the Movies" arrives at the Globe. New York, next Monday, there is little doubt but that it will prove good enough to carry it right on up to the summer. It is in Washington this week. HOLDING "FOLLIES" IN. Chicago, Jan. 7. A rumor says the ."Follies" may move from the Illinois to the Stude- baker after the expiration of the en- gagement at the former house. There seems to be some doubt just what to do with the big Ziegfeld production, as it has been doing a land-office busi- ness here, and it would b„ a pity to take it out, but "The Sunshine Girl" is booked in and the time must be given up. Doubt is expressed whether the piece shall be taken to the Coast or not. Jose Collins is reported as leaving the "Follies" shortly as New York vaudeville dates have been arranged for her around Feb. 1, it is said. Miss Collins is with Ziegfeld on a special contract. SHOWS IN FRISCO. San Francisco, Jan. 17. Business at the Gaiety has been fairly healthful. Indications point to an early increase. The Columbia was dark this week with "Kismet" (Otis Skinner) opening Jan. 12. The attendance is encouraging at the Cort where "Little Women" is show- ing. The matinees are drawing big with women the best patrons. There's a strong advance interest in the com- ing Margaret Illington engagement here in "Within the Law." M. AFFRE APPOINTED. New Orleans, Jan. 7. M. Affre will be impresario of the French Opera House again next sea- son. Other applicants were Jules La- yolle and M. Mazy. OPERA HOUSE BURNS. Paterson, N. J., Jan. 7. The Paterson opera house burned Monday night. Damage about $75,000. Stock was being played. COHEN'S HOUSE CONDEMNED. Poughkcepsic, N. Y., Jan. 7. When the Common Council assem- bled Monday night, Gcofge Hill, con- sulting engineer (New York), in a sweeping report condemned the new Cohen theatre from the overloaded piers to the lack of provisions for fire escapes, and recommended that all work on the structure he suspended un- til complete plans showing every detail of construction he filed with the build- ing inspector and approved by him. If Cohen conforms with Hill's recom- mendations it will cost the builder an- other $10 000. The Council voted to have Hill's report accepted. Cohen says he will abide by the Council's ruling. BRIDGEPORT'S NERVOUS. Bridgeport. Conn., Jan. 7. "The White Slave Traffic," which is said to be the same picture as that stopped recently in New York, was in- terdicted by the state authorities Mon- day at Keaney's Empire theatre. "The Love Slave," a sketch which opened for the first time at Poli's, is said to have been passed by a small margin. Both the "Damaged Goods" and "Yellow Ticket" productions at the Fark theatre were closely observed. Two censors from the state and local police departments arc to be present at the performances. TAKES MAY BOLEY'H ROLE. Boston. Jan. 7. Clara Stanton is now playing May Roley's role in "The Passing Show of 101.1." She was formerly Miss Boley's understudy. OI.COTT HAS SOME HELP. Philadelphia. Jan. 7. Channccy < Hcott took another climb last wrrk toward that million he is saving when he registered $14,000 gross at the Walnut Street theatre.