The New York herald., 1868-08-19
FOUL PLAY AT THE NEW YORK THEATRE.

The drama Of "Foul Play" which has been upon
the boards of the New York theatre for the past
two weeks, has, during that time, met with both
fair play and foul play from lessee, manager and
actors, and last evening it was not played at all,
owing to the factOf it having 'payed itself out the
night previous. Since the first night of its produc
tion the piece hasnever run very smoothly and be.
tween the third aid fourth Gets on Monday evening
last the culminatig point was reached by Manager
d. H. Harkins seizng what money there was in the
''box ofice' and Immediately thereafter calling an
indignation meeting OF the dramatic company
OF the establisnent In the "green room,n
where it was "resoved" that unless the
manager was permitted by the lessee to
retain the posssOn Of said money for certain deli
cate reasons icy he actors and actresses in "that
Play'J wOuldot appear again upon the stage Foul
evening, an the audience W oud thereby be COM
PEELED to cGent itself upon that occasion with but
half doof Messrs. Reade and Bouci cault's de-
lightful (Ylay. or course the public could not be-
trified WI In that manner, 80 the manager was
allowed retain the money already in his posses.
sion andne play proceeded without further inter-
ruptiOn,ie goOd-natured audience meanwhile re.
maihinSn total ignorance of the affecting little
scene At had been enacted behind the scenes
during time that the curtain was down between
the actand the trombone and fiddle in the orchestra
were Kng as much noise possible to drown the
voices the "angry debaters."
The use OF the difficulty, as near as can be ascer-
taineds as folows-it appears that Mr.. d. H. IIar-
kins pursuance Of u contract between himself and
Mr. Hid. Palmer, became the proprietor OF the
dramf ''Foul Play" for the city Of New York and
such Ger cities as might at some future time be
settleapon between them. Mr.. j. T. Lloyd, having
obtain lease OF the New York theatre from Mr.
Worr, agreed to produce "FOul Play" at that es-
tabiislent, for the consideration OF which Mr.. Har-
kins y to receive Onefourth OF the profits after all
expet5 were paid meanwhile playing the leading
male rt In the piece and acting as general man.
ager.dr. Palmer was to receive $50 for every even
ing rfOrmance OF the piece and S25 for
each atinee, these payments TO be made to him
overcoming; But few payments were made,
tor on important business, but left his agent to
cOethe money as 1t became due. Mr.. Lloyd re-
fused recognize this agent and Mr. Harkins who
sgndhe contract wherein 1t was specified how and
wheIhe money was to he paid feeling that he
alonfas the person to whom Mr.. Palmer would
lOOk,r his money, seized what money had been
taken at the theatre on Monday evening for the
pure Of settling with Mr.. Palmer, and yesterday
palder the amount due-a little over $3OO-to Mr..
JOhnfton, the agent OF Mr. Palmer.
Yerday Mr.. Harkins and other leading actors In
"FoPlay" threw up their engagements, in conse-
ques OF which there was no Foul Playr perform
ancast night. The following letters from lessee
andanager may enable the curious to better un-
dernd the quarrel, which is decidedly pretty as 1t
staj:-
To EDITOR OF THE HERALp:-
Theatre ia closed in consequence Of Mr. n. Fl. Harkns
PA having taken himself !he right
nsr Harkins employed upon the condons Of re-
ce fourth share Of The profits after all expenses
pal "ssce Close theatrG
evegnex j. L. LLYOD, Lessee.
EYoRK, August Is, 1863
TUE EDITOR THE HERALD
subscriber, manager of the New York theatre, begs
eao notify the public that the theatre closed for tho
fong reasons:The manager had contract with Harry
DINER the literary proprietor of the piece called fou
P TO produce the at the New York theatre and to
paereor certain stipulated for each representation.
Tpssec and associated with him refused to
fohe privilege OF producing the play, part OF which
hrcre Obligated by the contract with the TO pay,
sDnc manager insisting the payment of what he
scd just debt the lessee closed the theatre The whole
coany considering the manager the right withdrew with
hii ID. H. HARKINS.
" YoRK, August IL, 1868.