The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-05-09
Theatres in the Souta and West-YOunG
America in the Field.

credit on the managers the audiences. In many IN
stances the theatres in the interior have been directed by
persons who had interest in the art except so far as
getting certain amour, Of money in the house was con-
cerned They tell good story Of of these spectators
who opened his theatre in midsummer with company
like Falstas charge of foot half paid and half starved
"HaIet was the play the opening night, and drew
good house. The director deep in corner lot opera
uon was asked by his sub, Wba shall put up for To-
morrow2' "What, inquired the manager, Is being
played toDightY" ''Hamlet" "Ah, yes: it's good
piece-everybodys in it, Keeps the actors at work. Put
up again" Singular to say the play drew another good
house. "Aha' said tho manager even get good run
out OF this piece" On the third night however the house
fell oil TO almost nothing. "Wel sir, inquired the sub,
"shai We give them Hamlet AGAIN." "No," said the
manager "curse Harnlet-it is Internally bad piece
none of shakspere's pieces draw. Put up Jack
Sheppard'-thai always draws" Another manager
grain specultor and day asked his stage director If
there was any rehearsal The reply being the negative
the high priest Of sadThen you better send the poo
pie down to the landing aud tell 'em help unload that
-four Of mine" All the Western cities arc good thearica
places. They have large floating populations, and the
majority OF tho residents have not tho slightest shade
Of puritanism. They love tho theatre and arc
most liberal IN patTonhiIg it, They treat all the actors
WE'LL but their favortes petted entertained Toasted
and paid Ike princes The standard of critical taste, OK
cept in New Orleaps very low. This is owing to va
cty Of The neciency Of the press Is ono great
cause. It is easier to puff puff pu than Is to anayze
the claims Of an actor or play besides that the manager
Is capital fellow, or the actor glorious companion or
the author plays great game of poker or somebody has
tho finest old Bourbon in tho State or somebody has dis
counted somebody eises doubtful paper-so pun pun,
puff, goes the Journal This has some effect. Then,
again, some of the actors have what called an outside
aintau # hnlf tho
theatre going people in single night Some spend
little money in this way; others have
cheaper methods. One star We wot of was
originally mechanic When he goes into a strange
place his lrs care TO SNAKE benefit that night
be has certain share Of the gross receipts while on tho
others - share after sum has been deducted
for expenses The star walks about town. drops into all
the Shops assimates with everybody interests himself in
their avocatons, Claiming 10 have been worker EACH
and, going away, drors word about his identity
and his benefit He has been known TO claim kindred
with six different trades in city. To enumeratc all
the lodges which are used to fictitious reputation
In such places would require space than the subject
deserves and lead away from the point which is
that while the people Of the West have sincere love for
the DRAMA and strong disposition TO patronisc II libe-
rally, they have been badly treated by the managers
and charlatans that they have no taste for really
good play, but prefer mess Of trash. serious, must
be what il called intense and thrilling like tho "Corsican
Brothers, % or immoral, like "Camille" If comic must
be Of the breadcs and most practical class Of farce, and
the gross the double eadr the brieer the skirts
Of the coyhee the better tho audience pleased These
are fachc writer has been the ground and records
only what he has and heard We not surprised
that this is So when you 60 Western theatre there
is always some second class star, who lacks merit 10
chain the audience alone and obliged to resort to
Al MIA
ssablc he quickly finds his way the metropolis
There very few good stock west Of the
tains, because stock has chance in theatre
which Is only used y vehicle for second rate stars.
All this calls for thorough amendment and furfhor,
tho theatre badings nearly oil .he Western cities need
Improvement. The work has already been commenced.
Two managers who have heretofore controlled the theatres
IN CINCINNATI Louisville, Chicago, and partially LOUIS
will retire with large fortunes at the end Of the season
Last season Mr. George Wood built elegant theatre
the Peope's-in Cincinnati. During the coming sum ner
Mr. Lewis Baker, Of tho Walnut street theatre Pha
dcpha, win assume tho management Of the National the
are, Cincinnati, and tho Louisville theatre Ono Of tho
local journals gives account OF the improvements
iemPlaied In the National theatre, as follows
IN the Grs place Is 10 be considerably enlarged, 80
tina u viii comfortably 5000 persons n will be tho
roughly Quilted and re modelled after the style of the Me-
uo'ltan theatre, Afterwards Laura kccne's Varieties,
ana at present Buftos new theatre fhssame artists who
engaged Ia decorating the interior that elegant
structure have been secured by Mr. RlSer The exterior
will, IN the meantime b. e,ualy altered and improved.
on 9 north de ~ the theatre which i 70 give nare 10
the north wing OF magnificent block OF buildings IN
earr,eo hundred ice, 'front.' cavngs beautiful archtec
There n I'M al.o he sIe saors vbch ~ ca os a,
vii facilitate the egrcss OF the audience These latter i'm
p tooea.nta wa 'Slnaehoe ,lie lately iuo "a oalns
template putting up structures 20 match the improvements
which arc " beauty the of site.
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AZ, n,rcr 4 n vonnr amo,,c,n ao,,r ~ ,ht,, ia ha,
nl,v.a in his c,,v a, Ra,,on,, an, Tho pro.o ,oo,,
~, 80 =. ,,.,.,., ,,. ,,,, ,,,e.~.,. =, 49,, a.,