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Patrick, Warren A. (ed.) / Show world
(August 10, 1907)
Makee, Walt
Philadelphia to have new company at Forepaw's, p. 6
Page 6
THE SHOW WORLD August 10. 1907, PHILADELPHIA TO HAVE NEW COMPANYAT FOREPAWS Edwin Middleton and George Barbier Secure Lease-Goo Attractions at Playhouses--- -Personal Gossip. BY WALT MAKEE. Philadelphia Bureau The Show World, Temporary, 2138 Arch Street. Walt Makee, Itepresentative. P TLADE1111A. Pa., Aug. I-19r- haps the most interesting news in- nouncenent of the week, affecting local theaterdom, is that Edwin Midll- ton and George Barbier have leased Fore- paw's theater and vill install a high- class stock company there. Both men are prime favorites with a large class of theater-goors here. Mr. Middleton was, for many seasons, come- dian with the Forepaw stock, remaining through several changes of management and weathering the various vicissitudes through which the house passed. Mr. Barbier, during his short career with the same company, won a large following. The need for sc a stock company as is promised by these gentlemen is admittedly a pressing one. At the pres- ent time there is but one stock house of English sp'aking. legitimate players in the city-tae Standard, whliicll season in and out, does a land office business. Under the old Forepaw management. when such sterling players as Carrie Radcliffe headed the company. Forepaw's was equally a big paying proposition. John Forepaw died. Fish, now a suc- cessful stock manager in the West, suc- ceeded him. But shortly after his com- ing, Miss Radcliffe retired and lesser lights succeeded her in leads. Whether her successors lacked those personal charms so requisite in a feminine stock star or whether the patrons would have none other than Radcliffe remains an open question. Fish retired and was suc- ceeded by Messrs. Miller and Kaufmann, and efforts were made by them to regain the former prestige of the house, but after many unavailing attempts, the stock company was dishanded and road companies were booked. Sometimes ties companies were good and presented good plays; again they were the best the management could obtain. but it is widely reported that the new manage- ment did not reap any too liberal for- tune from the former treasure-1iox, al- though it is clear that the splendid busi- ness done at their other house, the Girard Avenue, in a measure compen- satedthem for any lose w ich may have been inicurred at Forepawx's. Messrs. Middleton alid Barbier have not yet completed their plans. They are now in New York City engaging players and a telegram failed to reach them. They announced before leaving, however, that they xwould secure the best that could le had in players and plays; that while they would continue the popular prices at the house, they would eschew thesensational inmelodraa aand bid for patronage of the better chase, Trueconsesusteof opiion here seems to be that the venture will prove a success. The theater might lie better located. The old neighborhood is not as lively as it once was. but so high an authority as Charles Frohman once said that it made no difference where you put the play- house,-the play was the thing. Attractions at the Play. Keiths:-An exceptionally strong bill is agai offered to the Keithpatro this week, whoseappreciation was anifested by an afternoon and ev'ening attendance last Monday which filled the house to the doors. The audience at both per- formances w'as unustally responsive, and there wxas not an act which failed to elicit a full and overflowing measure of applause. Beginning with Belle Blanche, who made tuxe lilt of the bill with her Impersonitionse down te line to the splendid film, showing an exciting hippo- potamus hunt, each number of the pro- gram wa s lotudly applaxuded. Behle Blanche introduces her Imitations in verse. The poetic story relates that a number of well known players hav'ebeen arrested and the judge imposes a fine upon each one with a promise of remit- tance if the convicted player will prove to the judge that he or she is ri-hitly entitled to rank as "clever" among the actors of the day. Eva Tanguay. Anna Heid, Richard Carle, Alice Lloyd, and other porominent players. furnish food for Belle Blanche. who, besides her rare powers of imitation, is possessed of a soprano voice of fine quality and wide range. Charles A. Kenyon's dramatic sketch. The Operator, with AdelineDun- lop and Albert Britton, is an indictment of those railroads which force their em- ployees to work to the limits of human endurance. The story is that of a tele- graph operator who, by reason of the Illness of his assistant. is compelled to remain at his key for seventy hours, and. while receiving a message, in his half awake conditicn, makes an error which threatens to crash two trains. The thought of his deed, which is discovered by his wife, drives him to distraction, and the pair agrie t dii-: Ito- bhulo to shoot the wife ud then kill himself. At the Crucial moment a distant rail- road whistle assures them that the two trains have passed safely:-curtain. The situation is absolutely devoid of comedy. The met was well received and the work of the two players was well done. Car- roll Johnson, late partner of Frank Me- Nish aixdi Bobby Slaxin, and more re- centIy the star of The Ivy Leaf and Fmiries' Well, together with a company of twenty singers and dancers, intro- duLiceed a rather elaborate plantation sketch, which is an impirovement, in ways. over that used by Primrose during hIs recent visit here, although somewhat along the same lines. The Great Sit- cliffe Troupe of Scotch musicians, danc- ers and acrobats, proved an innovation and won the anidience fro m tue stturt. Loon Morris aind Compy with a col- lection of ponies, dogs and monkeys. was foxccd to remain beyond his alloted time ere the audience was satisfied. The Murray Sisters, in "a high class singing novelty*', two, well gowned, charming young women with well trained volees. made a deep and lasting impression. The Young America Quintette appealed strongly to the upper house. A lack of Imiusical training occasionally pro- duced discords. but altogether the act is very good of its kind. and the youngsters all work hard. James Thornton,--a hit, a big hit. of course, withi a budget of sparklingly new jokes. Trovollo, ventrilo- quist, responded to several encores. Oth- ers who wore well received were The Bradfords, Harlem Brothers, DeChaunt's dogs, Stevenson and Nugent. Chestnut Street Opera House.-(K. & E., "Advanced Vaudeville")-The Fays remauin-to draw even better than dur- ing the first week. The act continues to mystify and explanations fail to ex- plain. Daisy James played a return date at this house and incidentally bids fare- well to American audiences prior to an extended European engagement. "oEg- land's Favorite Comedienne." as she is called, has made a multitude of friends which has been increased in numbers dnuring her present engagement. An act of especial interest to lovers of physiscl feats, is the Four Raltus, who recently have mde a great hit at the New York IHippodrome. Their performance is one of the most daring of its kind on the vaudeville stage. Musical Lowe, with his xylophone. demonstrated unanticipated possi1ilities of that instrument aud was accorded several encores. Galetti's Monkey Comedians proved a decided treat. Mason and Bart, aerialists, did some daring stunts and made their audi- ence hold its breath. A special feature of the program was Aarons' Dancing 'Dolls, who have won a warm place in the affections of Philadelphia playgoers by reason of their work in His Honor the lyor during its ruin in this city, Thei' act is suibstantially the stiame as given in the show. Blaney's.-Opened to S. R. 0. business with two performances last Saturday. Charles E. Blaney's latest thriller. Lot- tie, the Poor Saleslady; or Death Before Dishonor, was the attraction. The title is so clearly descriptive as scarcely to need a detailed explanation of the play. Mr. Blaney calls it "the most effective emotional drama of the present day." andjugig by the manner inwhich two lig houses greeted it at the0 opening, it is safe to say thast lir. Blaney his not exaggerated to any great extent The company is headed by Miss Lydia Powell. It may be mentioned, in passing, that the old Arch Street theater. formerly owned and managed y Mrs. John Drew, was, in recent years. a financial buga- boo. It has passed thro'h a half dozen different anageents previous to its occmation and change of title by Charles B. Blanxey, since ",')rich it has proved at veritahlegold mine. Decidedl there arc few better judges of public need in the matter of dramatics tan hMr. Bilancy, ais anpIx' testified( hxy the box ofce record of this playhouse. Bijou.-The opening burlesque. entitled School Days, which introduced Ruby Jlackson. Ruth Wright and a chorus of twenty attractive girls. was well receiveld by a fnir-sized audience. In the o'io a Spanish novelty was introduced in La Tierra producing a dramatic sketch called A Night in Spain. Others xxhxo Wxx"1 well received were Comedian Al. Wilson and the Grotesque Rauxolphs. The program closed with A Pienic for Two. This theater is equinxed1 with one of the finest cooling plants in the city, installed when Keith built the house, some years ago. Lyceum.-The burlesque stock company continue, to fair houses. Aside fromi a strong olin and two hurlesques. an ath- hetic earnival on Tuesdays. and amateurs oin Friday attract large crowds. At the Summer Parks. There is either a lack of money or a lack of good management in the publicity d l rl iients of b nr k A\lnn-c Xi1%itlioui x t .;o I'~, ii~v-tu g"2 " spc h" ,1 ul tl' 1"( 11" " It s itle often of salii ient size (Yet, too often. too insignificant to command at- niution), is devoted to the simple an- nouncement of a hand or orchestra. While it may be held as true that the morage man or woiman is more inter- estd in the mu ial offeiin s of these parks than any other attraction they pre- int, it would probably surprise the pub- licity promoters to note the increased ttendance 'which would certainlv follow ni more detailed announcement of the malifoid attractions which their paik cffords. Iley might 'well take les- son from the press agents of the Keith and K. & E. vaudeville houses, neither of whom would stoop to the folly of announcing only their headline acts. Willow Grove, for example. uses up about ninety agate lines, in the Sinday papers, with a bare announcement of Victor Her- bert and hi s orchostra. Undeniably Vic- tor Ierbert is a big attraction. but he is, after all. but one of a half hundred or more interesting offerings at this park. Palpaibl' this is an injustice to the many concession holders, vaudeville acts and operators of mechanical de- vices who. to some, at least, of the pub- lie, are of equal moment with the fa- mous operatic composer. Willow Grove.-Victor Herbert and his orchestra. Sousn Aug. 10. Woodside Park.--TTaley's Wshington Oiciiestra Band. Washington Park.-Roman Imperial Band, New York Quintette, Clam Bakes. White City.-Hill. "World's Greatest Canoeist." Roller skating. Beechwood.-Franklin Concert Pnnd. Lyiic Eccentric Quartet. Calls and Openings. The Park theater will open Aug. 26, withi Te Heart of Virginia, and not The Gingerbread lMain. as has been announced by certfin theatrical weeklies. Lottie Villiams will open the Peoples' Aug. 19. with an elaborate production of Little Madcap, supported by a well so- lected cast. After mno weeks of indecision it has been finally determined to open the For- rest, in possible, on Sept. 2. with vaude- ville, which will be transferred from the Chestnut Street Opera House. The main executive office of the Nixon and Zim- merman interests will be located in this new show ship. The first combination booking an- nounced for the Chestnut Street Opera House, which. when vaudeville is moved to the New Forrest. will le devoted, as of old. to the legitimate, is September the 23rd. The play is The Bell ofMay- fair. If the Forrest is completed in time . permitting its opening on Sept. 2, the three weeks intervening at the Chestnut Street Opera will be filled in with new or standard attractions. The date of the opening of the Broad Street theater has been definitely settled. Public Opinion will be the attraction Sep- tembher the 16th. Rehearsals ofthe Western Gingerbread Man, which are to be held at Ye Park, will begin next Thursday. The comnany opens at Asbury Park, Aug. 26, with Ross Snow in the lead. Rehearsals for the Eastern company of Tue Gingerbroad Man will begin at Ye Park. Aug. 24. The company opens at Norristown. Sept. 14. Simple Simon Simnie rehearsals are called for Aug?.. 3ii. The play, opens for the setisoni at Norristown, Sept. 21. On oftheNixon nd Zimmerman ur- prises willlie Mary Enierson in a recent new Metropolitan success which will be made public in a day or so. Rebearsals will beamn in this city Augn. 231. The first dat is Coatesville. Pa.. Sept. 12. The Standard theater will open its regular stek season Aug. 10, with Up York State, Miss Bob lWhite. Willard Spencer's per- eniialxy popular comic onern. is booked to open at Wilmlnneton. Sept. 7. with a strong company. Rehearsals are called for Aug. 17. The Girard Avenue theater will open Aug. 17 with Owen Davis' Since Nellie Went Away. Notable Advance Bookings. Among the plays -nd pllavers Ixo will pioiably be seen e the Shiuhe rt houses during the coluiins earson, mayvbe noted: .Tulia Marlowe. Faothern and Florence Reed in Shakespeare. T-Tenrv Miller and Mlargaret Aiiglin in The Great Dix'ide, Mary Manneiring in Glorious Betsy, Er- mete 'Novei. ITow Fields & Company in Tue Girl Behind the Counter, Chxailes Bigelow in The Scow Man. Cecelia Tof- tas nd .awrene D'Orsay in a new play, Virginia Tharned in Anna Knrenina Rl-nche Rine and Alexander Carr in a cew lay caled Jack in the Box. Touise Guilling, starring in T.e Paradise ho- Mahoniet. Marguerito Clark, starring in a new nily b Rida Johnson Young. At the Grand Oiera House will be son:-The Rays in a new play, and Wine, Womnn and SonS. At the National:---Ednna the Prott' Typewritter. The way of the Transg'es- sor. Pointing the Town. The Evil Eve, Never Too T ato to Menl. A Chorus irl's Inck in New York. Thoe Gambler From the TWest and Bunco from Arizona. xvith Lillinn Mortirmer as thw star. At the Chestnut Opera House:--Txe Girl in the Clouds, a new. scenie. sousa- ilolal novelty produced lv Ti'1ismi Woods. rnannger of the Brondivay thea- tar (N. Y.), the tabloid musical eonedx. College Days. featuring Fred V. Bowers. At Keiths:-Mary Ann Brown, the Fiitz Ili-ih Trio,. larriy Iavit niprt and liss 1"ii"i ii " a n(-x" shin. Iulcn and ol I i. lit-ill Sn'xlit th~e A\ li Comedn Four, Clifford and Burke, the Rose Went. Worth Trio, Carlotta. At Blaney's:-A Child of the Regi- ment and A Desperate Chance. Ye Park:-The Heart of Maryland, The Gingerbread lan. Announcement is made by Managers Hunisch & Addicks that the German theater will open Sept. 14 with an elabo- ito prodution, in German, of .loan of Aic ("i Jungfrau von Orleans"). Re- tearsals will begin about the lost week in Augist. Aside from the prodction of Schiller s splendid drama, a xery am- 1itious program of German light opera and the higher class dramatic work of native German and foreign authors will be staged. Among the operatic masterpieces will be the best selee- tions from the works of such com- po1ers as Strauss, Milloecker, Suppe and Lebar. Among the dramatists to 1e rep- rose-nted will be Hauptmann, Fulda, Halbe, Il:sen, Sudermuann and Bornsen. The theater, which was but recentl built. is operated by a corporiitn whose stock is held by the forem.i irerman- Aniericans of Philadelphia. Interesting Film Facts. Business was rather slow in coming, the early portion of this week, for the moving picture men. Monday opened with a rain storm which continued well into the afternoon, and, as a ease- quence there were few persons on the streets. Today's business was an im- provement. in many quarters, over yes- terdaiyandtheweekpromisestomakeup for the falling off of its start. Here and there, a private moving picture then- torium has taken advantage of the antici- pated slack and has closed for altera- tions or repairs. It is the exeeptional manager, iowever, who has any com- plalnt whatsoever to make upon the summer season's business as a whole Anli announcement of moment is made bv S. Iiubin, who, xithin a fortnight, will remove is executive office and factory from its present location in South Eighth street to more commodious quarters at 926 Market street, occupying the four floors above his new theatortun. The building is 172 feet in depth and some- what over 30 ft. in width. He will hate the advantage of six times the floor splce of his present quarters, which, in future, will be devoted to his film rental depairtment. He is now operating two ]9,2g 4ga lories; ole a daylight roomt 912-14 Aich street. aid the other equined for pieture taking under all conditiins, either day or inight, at 92i Maket. Ali interesting feature of the new Lubin thettorium. asil to lie 1niiquet is tle s-steni of liahting. Tue old iethudci shutting out all light in order to em- phniize the piletures thrown upon the screen is obviated bY a lnse of high Dowr. This lenso which is not Yet In the market is a Lubin inventioiand wi form apirt of his 1908 model picture ma- Afte ra successful summer season, the Vitarxlii ptcture show. which has beet oenpyinig Forepiw's theater, will soon 1iev Ixcto co estocka moliy tro be in- stl'cdIi lx-Mliddleton anti Barliler. Lewis M. Swaab's business is increal- Ing at a woniderfn pace. Nobetterevi- dcce could e wanting of the valueli judicious advertising hacked by a polite of promise-koeniig. It is easy enouri to make a iaiinss promisein print;ke, dliffciiitx-. too ofteni, is tofnilfiullthe prom- ient Mr. stysa1i does not seem to if- ferenliate b'etxxeen the two. To hint, boli propositions are apparently easy. Professional Gossip. targaret Baxster (Fininiw), of Simple Siimon Simple, was married in New York City last Tuesday to Walter Morton, of Rily the Kid Company. ile ceremonY xwas performed in strict privacy, there beiing kut two avitrsses, and theseeret xvas kept for five days. Mrs. Merier. xio i retain her maiden name for stage use. has been re-eiigaged tot Simple Simon. Arthur.1. Lamb. recent benedit, author of a dlozen song hits, incluidiing Alic tIlou's "Splash Me", never does thin!, bv halves. His latest venture is in te field of drtiatic writing. His play cail1ed The Crime in Mid Oceai. Itmilsl have been a very desperate nd sakil" crime, requiring as it does. five acts If explnation. Mr. iTamb is widely known ili professional circles here, and several of his friends refusing to accept his ' cent effort seriously. have suggestedt13 lie ttike sonietliug for it. 'Nevertheless he has substantial visions of an earlY production of his play. Charles H. Yale will probably open sl of the local theaters next month, ie liguirting the twent-sixth season of be Dovil's Auction. In so doing lie will h folloxving precedent of twenty-five sea- sons' stinlding. Mr. Yale is quite ct aincd tiat the treasures of this world are corntled in the shop of Satan and thrat the suplv of bidders at his annual sales is incxiialustible. John j. Farrell, well remembered her for his splendid work as leading man oh thl late Forepow Stock Company, is el- iovilig a s'ierssfuil sensoni with the od Sto-k of Worcester. iacs. It is saei that his charming wife Valerie Berge., will be an arly attrictiol at Keith's. Florenice Reed, daughter of the ile Roland Reed. is to be E. H. Sothernse leading x-onan next season. Her rier in the profession has been rapid. BOI (Continued on Page 11.) 6 'V 1 F-
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