The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-02-17


all equally prompt fs arless and efficient we
should soon be rid of the vermin with which
this island is infested.
The New Theatres I'm New York-A New
Opera House Needed.
The metropolis is overcrowded with strangers,
and most of our places Of amusement are doing
pretty good business. Our new theatres are
especially prosperous, and there is every pros
poet that those which are to be opened during
the present year WIN be equally successful.
The French theatre is rapidly progressing
towards completion; but every day the fact
becomes more evident that this theatre is
located too far from Broadway to secure all the
patronage which its directors have anticipated.
Seduced by the cheapness Of the lots near
Sixth avenue, they have built their theatre out
of the great lines Of travel, and they now
begin to see that it would have been better for
them to have invested little more money
and obtained more central location. But, in
spite of this drawback, we believe that the
French theatre will be q success, both artist
cally and financially, although not SO sure and
SO perfect success as it would have been If q
site had been chosen on or near Broadway
and further up town. There is no kind of
an investment which pays larger interest at
present than theatrical property; and as our
population is constantly increasing, and there
are not enough good theatres to accommodate
our people, il follows that there is every en-
enlargement for all the new enterprises of this
kind that can be projected. The wealthy men
who erect or conduct good places of amuse-
ment are not only certain of making plenty Of
money, but they are in one sense public bene-
factors. On the other hand, those who make
use of the theatres to vitiate the public taste
and corrupt and debase the public morals are
to be justly regarded as the worst enemies of
the people.
The Broadway theatre, Woods theatre and
Miss Rushton's theatre are capital instances Of
the success of new enterprises and the popu-
larity Of skilful management and excellent
taste. The two places of amusement first
named owe their existence to the tact, talent
and energy of Manager Wood, who came to
this city from Cincinnati, and has surpassed all
his rivals on their own ground. Manager
Wood has had no ordinary difficulties
with which TO contend; for he has been
obliged TO redeem his establishments from
the bad reputation affixed to them by other
proprietors, besides creating for them new
and very different fame. Three of the associ- !
ated managers had successfully tried their
hands at the Broadway, and each one was
Obliged to desert it. Manager Wood came, and
in month he made It the most popular
place of amusement in tho city. Woods thea
ire, opposite the St Nicholas, was formerly
under the control of another member of the
managerial association; but It gradually lost
caste, and finally expired quietly but ungrace-
miiy. Tnen manager woo took possession Or
il, and from the very first night It has been nu-
merously attended. Singulnrly enough, actors
and actresses who, for some reason or other,
play very brief engagements or are unable to
play at all at the associated theatres, achieve
the greatest triumphs at Manager Woods. This
was notably the case with Mr.. John Owens,
who was denied admittance to the houses
under the control of the association, but who
has played and is still playing the most extra
ordinary engagement on record at Manager
Woods Broadway. Miss Lucille Western has
had an almost similar experience. A short
time ago she appeared af one Of the associated
theatres and acted but a very short time. Next
week she is TO make her rc7,trfe at Woods thea
tire, and we presume that she will remain there
for several months. Mr.. Woods success has
enabled him to have the first choice of the best
stars who come to this city, and as he improves
this advantage to the utmost the performances
at his two establishments are always popular.
II he we're to manage half dozen other thea
tres with the same enterprise and discretion
they would equally monopolze the talent of
the profession and the majority of the theatre
goers
Miss Rushtcn's theatre, opposite the New
York Hotel, Ia another new place Of amusement
which has already become an institution, in
spite of the predictions of It's failure published
by the associated organs Miss Rushton con.
ducts Der establishment in her own way, with
out submitting TO the dictation Of her
competitors, and the result is that the
people who would not 20 TO see her
when she made her debut ct one of The
theatres OF the association, now crowd her
house nightly and encourage her with their
applause. The new play which she has pro-
duced has made decided hit, the utmost care
Is bestowed upon all the details Of her theatre.
and there Is no cloud in her sky. II must not
be forgotten, however, that we owe this pleas
ant and popular place Of amusement 10 the
good sense and shrewdncs Of Mr.. A. T. Stew
art The dry goods millionaire. Mr.. Stewart II