, 1874-04-12

d:tction of the waiter-girl abomipat,en,
Ind tho variety business was checked.
This was about fourteen years ago. Since then
It has been revived, and is now the most paving
American Theatre Of Philadelphia, which had
failed az legitimate house, was converted into
yarlety-show; after which several smaller
places in New York we're devoted to this branch
tho metropolis. At about the Eauo time tho
Front t1cat Theatre at Baltimore and the How
ard Athennun1 were started. The business re-
ceiyed
ITS FIRST INpETU9
from the opening OF the Yam1nany in New York
in January, 1863. Now there are numbers Of
such places all over the country. Tho Front
Street Theatre, Baltimore, has been in operation
for sir years. Fox's Theatre, Philadelphia, was
built for variety purposes, and is the largest
theetre in that city. There are others in the
eanie corporate ImitH, all prospcrins. The
Howard AthcnHum has many initators in Bos-
ton, all Of which are doing well. In New York
the number Of houses given Up TO this class OF
House, Nib1o's, the oiy1npic, the Lyceum, Pas
tors, and minor places. The Lycoum III to be-
opened rs yarlety-bouEe this week or the next,
while Dooth'G may or may not be 1un in the
eamo vc5. From positive statements" it ia
probable that
will be variety ty-show in another Way. Tho
highest form OF the legitimate, as cxpounded by
Edwin Booth himself, will be alternated with the
spectacular and The regular variety. but to
continue tho list: st. Louis has Aitche1lB and
Deagle'e, the Olympic having been restored to
the legitimate, and recently sanctitied by the
gaeement OF the great Californian. John Nc
Cullough- Cincinnati and San Francisco have
each d large Variety-theatre, and the latter many
small ones Of tho lower c1ses, with which this
article has no association; New Orleans has its
Academy OF Music, which is q lofty title for tho
samo sort of thing, End Chicago has two already.
the Adelphi and the Globe, the former by all
odds the finest house given up to this class Of
entertainment outside New York.
MISPLACED VARIETY STARS.
Does the reader wonder that this sort Of
amusement draws more none; from the people
than high art ? Il so let him ask Mr. McYicaer
how the receipts for En,met aud S.oddart COM
paro OF put the question squarely to air. Garli-
ner, who is his best paying star. MI Gardiner will
candidly roply-Joe Murphy. And what are Joe
Murphy, aud J. K. Emmett, and Lotta, aud
Johnny Thompson, George Thompson, Miss
Harrison Little Nell Katie Putnam, John Allen,
Lizette Bernard, and other Legitimate stars
OF their order, but variety performers out Of
many OF those who draw salary at HI ordiuary
variety theatre? "Lcgitimaro" managers have
no right to complain because the beer and cigar
houses have killed their bcst~paying stars. They
have contributed to tue cometary success OF the
variety business by encouraging the shabby,
highest conception is cloS-dance, and whose
hybrid existence Was sometime paradox on the
stngo. They have found their loyol in the
variety business. They at least ought not to
are placed. It is true that they and
their imitators can no longer monopolize
q whole evening Of hoydcnism and broad
they glimmer for moment
on the variety stage,kick mp their legs and givo
place to negro-minstrel singer, serio-coraic
A f7y a had
too much Of these people. Il the
brief blaze of variety success will kindly COLI
sume them. the legitimate drama will bo wonder
fully purified. Lovers Of what ia sincere, true.
present season if it will save them the tedious
troubles Of night with Joe Murphy, or an even
ing OF IS Zip" and hoydenism.
THERE IS ONE MORE LESSON ]
II the variety business which will no. be lost to
There arc but eight OF ten good the |
1av. Two hands will toll them all. from Janau- |
;chek, Sothoru, and Nelson to Jano Coombs |
The present season will weed the rest out, and |
eave the ground freor for true artists, Perhaps
t may bring sono to tho front who, like poor |
A1meo Descleo, hare been for years trying to
snows? All revolutions bring about come good.
THE MANAGER
II variety theatre stands upon the edge OF very
abyss. He threads his WY between
MO cnasn16, az II were. aLQ LIS ground 1e sofno-
imcs exceedingly narrow. He is often COM
yelled to do great deal OF balancing. On ono
.ide Yavns a gulf OF offenbe from word, look, |
" gesture that may be disreputablo; on the
,ther side ia dllncss- It requires no Little skill
o travel between them. He has not wall drilled |
orps of artista to rule, who at tho word Of COM
nand will follow out his most intricate mancu- |
res, but squad Of refractory individuals, each
Il whom supposes himself or herself not use- |
I'll member OF company, but the condensed
~ oil fa nf he |
aciety managers duties are incalculable. Ho
rperyises the house, tho bar, the stage, aud
[lvides his attention between wine, women,
reeds, beer, ballots, and heaps OF other things.
T6A STAGE MANAGER
Il 8 variety theatre ia an extraordinary person. |
1s exhibite3in Chicago, he is a condensation. We
hall bo compelled to be- very personal with one
4 these gentlemen, and mako public some OF
lis pecullarities- But previous to doing 80, VIC
si1l invite tha reader to step behind tho scenes !
,erson. The reader who has followed with In
crest the sevara1 hundred Thousand accounts Of
ife behind the scenes Of theatre written by
Il sorts OF people, in all sorts OF humor. and
will readily recognize the flats aud wings, sham
orests and pastoooard statuary, all Of which he
znows all abort. But as it is not yet time for
he curtnia To- be rung up, Mr.. Rice requests
he visitor to look round
THE DREss1Sd-RooMs.
IN descending from tho stage. he takes you
.ound beneath it into what looks like the
seventh floor Of hotel reduced with
minifying glass. The first corridor
contains the dressing-rooms OF the ladies',
# whom there arc about dozen, arranging
themselves to fascinato aud kill. Everything il
7ery orderly and quiet here for the doors arc all
;losed. nobody being permitted to scrutinizo the
mysteries Of color and eorm which go to make
1p stage beauty. Perhaps 3 head will be care
n1ly protruded and call mada for the boy or
or .*Jennio, or frankie, F." OF somebody, but
Nobody would believe tie Htatoment that dozen
# those lovely but voluble beings were on
Turing silence hero.
Passing along the main corridor, the visitor
:omes to tho mems dressing rooms. Hero tho
,ilence is not 40 golden, being alloycd with much
II the silver OF speech. The gentlemen oro
hessing, Is may bo observed through the half
open DOORS and tho array Of incougruous gar
nents scattered about on the floors and walls OF
.ho room or the person OF the dresser. Billy
stops to gossip With eome Of tho boys, md slang
:llen1, only to DO slanged in return. Like all /
members OF the profession, these people |
AXE delight in threatening ono another With |
tho most dreadful mutilation. or imprecatlng
Dlood-curdling Disasters upon their hearts and |
iycrs. At the came time they exchange lights,
borrow cigars, aud shake hands with great
o1, +1,a;-