The New York herald., 1869-07-04
THEATRICAL.

terminated so abruptly In this city rev snort weeks
ago. still languishes. The petty animosities and
jeaouses which last season existed among our
managers led many OF them into runous ruts from
which some few OF them have not even yet succeeded
IN extrcating themselves. Imitation was their only
strategy, and many cases it proved their bane and
ruin sosoon manager hit upon an original idea,
or something novel which at all likely 70 prove
remuneratve, so long as there was not too much OF
IT, Others there were, who straightway sought to
initiate him, and the result was most disastrous to
all concerned Satiated TO an alarming degree with
the veriest trash, the good natured public at last
refused TO partake longer Of the nauseating doses
that had been prescribed for its benefit and amuse-
ment by our managerial doctors, many OF whom,
when the tide OF public appreciation turned back
again into the legitimate channel found themselves
left in the lurch and were absolutely compelled to
swallow their own villanous stur Contracts were
made for the entire season. salaries were TO be paid
likewise heavy rents SO, acting upon the principle
that "a half loaf was better than no bread,n many
of our theatres have been kept open up to the pres
ent time Notwithstanding the fact that but very few
of them have been clearing expenses and not few
OF them losing money every week. The theatrical
market was completely glutted with opera bot.6e
pantomime and burlesque, dlshed up to US in many
instances by foreign importations OF only mediocre
calibre while genuine talent OF a native growth Of
all grades ana genders, was sent proving about the
provinces TO pick up precarious subsistence 10
keep 1t from starving Managerial fingers were Sc
verey scorched by these same ''importatons,n - and
in some instances managers who sought to take the
wind out Of the sails Of rival theatrical craft by mpu
dent and braZen .'imitation' were left loundering
amid the bllows Of direct ruin, with not plank to
stand upon.
Warned by the sad experience Of the past, our
managers are still IN doubt and unpleasant uncer
tain ty as to the particular tactics which they will
adopt for the approaching campaign. Affairs theat-
rical and musical remain in statu quo, or pretty
nearly as they were at the commencement
Of the summer season. But few arrangements
as yet have been perfected for the COM
ing season, and still fewer engagements
have been erected between artists and managers.
There, however, appears 10 pe a most decided oppo-
sition on the part OF the latter to any further in
dugence in the eliervescent eXravagances OF opera
6oltDe, pantomme, burlesque and "the show busi-
nesso generally, and o corresponding and praise
worthy determination to return without delay to the
legitimate which year after year has carried them
safely over their troubles With the revival OF the
"legltimate there will at last be some prospect for
genuine talent and arsrc capabilities being recog
nlzed; but as yet matters are IN such an unsettled
state that managers themselves scarcely know what
they intend doing. Although our city Is at the pre-
sent moment filled with the actors and actresses
who have returned from their rural rambes and
Danlshment, and although metropolitan and provin-
cal managers are also In town for the purpose of
reorganizing their various companies and enecting
engagements for the fall and winter season, we re-
gret TO say that but very few engagements have as
yet been made. There appears TO be disposition
on the part Of our managers to grind down the poor
actors to the lowest possible for their services,
and the actors in turn seem just as determined to
hold out for the old rate OF wages which was paid
when "bralns,n not legs" was the commodity
hold sway over the mimic stage 1t VIII be rather In
teresting to watch the progress OF this game Of
"bluff' between manager and actor. SO far as per-
fected the following bl DIS fair to be the programme
of the theatres In this city for the approaching sea-
SON.
BOOTHS THEATRE
This establishment Will, probably, be kept open
August, at which time Mr.. Joseph Jefferson COM
mences a seven weeks engagement with his great
specially OF "Rip Van Wnkle." He VIII In turn be
followed by Miss Kate Bateman, VINO Is under ten
weeks engagement, during which she Will appear in
q series OF her famous impersonatlons, including
"Leah," Mary Warner and Blanca. Miss Bateman,
IL Is possible may be succeeded by Mr.. Hackett In
round OF his Falstahan representations, aiter:whlch
Mr.. Edwin Booth, in D1'opria persona will give us
Shakespearian tragedy In an unaduterated form.
Mrs Edwin Booth nee Mary McVicker having dis
carded excitements of the "foot lights" sor connu
bal happiness and home comforts, will not appear
at this house next season. and rumor sayeth not yet
who is TO take her place 1t Is also whispered that
summer season. Whether or not the rest of the
company at present playing here Will remain intact
is not definitely known.
This house closes about the middle OF August Tor
REPAIRS preparatory to opening for the regular sea-
son. 1t Will probably remain closed for about two
weeks, ana will reopen with some new drama, the |
title Of which has not yet been made known. Mr.. |
viii return about the latter part OF August and will
bring over with MIN the piece which Is to inaugu-
rate the season The business of this establishment
viii be the same as has heretofore characterized it.
and will consist Of standard dramas and comedies.
The engagements for the coming season at this mouse
are not yet completed but SO far as known are as
foows:-JOAn Lester Wallack, James w. Wallack, |
John Gilbert, Charles Fisher, Owen Marlowe and
Messrs. Stoddart, Rlnggod, Williamson, Held Z. |
Milton Holland and Rockwell. The ladies comprise
MISS Enle Germon. Mrs. John Seton, Miss Emily
tlnge, Mrs. jennings, Mr.. George Holland and Mr..
A. W. Young have severed their connection with |
NIBLo's GARDEN.
The home OF the centpeda and spectacular dra- |
ma will sustain its reputation for sensation and |
tomary extravagant and gorgeous manner and we
assured that everything placed upon the stage |
will be done In manner to merit the approval ana
continued patronage OF the public. "Arrah ma
Pogue" win be brought out on or about the I'd OF Au
gust, when "Sinbad" and the Thompson troupe will |
districts. Dominick Murray OF London, has been
engaged for four weeks TO play the part OF Feeney
been completed. Lotta, after her return from Cali
fornla, win also play an engagement al TINS mouse,
wl Ge 1urn@ sse Winter The
aeement contemplates bringing out grand spec
tacular drama with weird effects which Is said to
be even greater than the famed Black Crook"
Later IN the season new drama from the pen,
paste pot and scissors OF Boucicault will be pro-
duced, with gorgeous scenery and costumes.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
The arrangements for the coming season at this
are not yet , nreaa0 aoF 9ave ny even
Miss Lucille Western nothing definite has been !
decided upon, although we believe IL TO be the in
tenton Of the management TO run the theatre upon
the sensational principle. Tomorrow evening
"Oliver Twistr will be produced, with Miss Western
as Nancy Sykes; and later In the season "Patren is
to be revived, with Miss Western In the role Of
Dolores and Messrs Bangs, Sheridan, M'Kee, Ran
KIM and ]. Gutthold Newton In the cast. This time
1t is confidently expected by the management
"Patrie viii have run Of some months at least;
but upon what particular foundation this fond ex-
pectation Is based, deponent sayeth not.
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
The doors OF the 'Catacombs" are in their
chronic state-clOsed. Nevertheless, Italian opera
bids fair to claim a share of our patronage and
attention. Impresario Mitchell, of London con-
templates favoring us with IL IN an unadulterated
manner early in the fall at the 'Catacombsn Mile.
Titlens, Mr. Santley and number OF other well |
known operatic stars have already been engaged by
NJ a this forf