New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-12-02
T1RIETY THE1TERS.

RIBS AND EXPENSES.
On Nov. 4, 1916, there was opened at No.
40 BowCTy an entertainment called " Tie Mel0dc0u,'
under the MANAGEMENT OF Charles White. The perform
ances called of the variety order. No programme
used. The prices OF admission were ga and 12la
cents those OF tEe audience holding shilling tickets were
given coupon thai entitled chem to glass OF some sort
OF beverage The performance at its best was lewd In
1857 Ir White again opened the variety theater in
more successful manner, and from that time this kind OF
entertainment was fuly established in NcW-YoIk and
soon initiated throughout tle country
The variety business, as 1t called. was then only
imitation OF .at Ciase OF anusemeuJs that mad Tor
many years been common to all Europe But 1t grad
uay assumed the genuine novelty oi Yankee invention,
was improved m respcctaby, and now Ear eXcels any
thing Of the kind placed on the European stage. In
London, the best music halls they termed not
only IL entertainment afforded by the stage but much
inJuiguo is given tic of tobacco, ardent spirits,
auj refreshments. This is not ia America and here
street decoJm a. observed The performance 10 this
country generally vSthout utemissi0n, and the bill
of the evening diversified and each act follows the
other IN such rapid succession as keep the attention
Of the pieasureeeker constantly occupied. The diver
tsemeut respectable enough, and often the artists
do some wonderfully clever things in thoir way. The
success OF this kind Of amusement is something
u be wondered at Financially the best
Iiety theateIs pay well the temples
devoted 90 the opera or the legitimate drama. The
salaries paid large, and an actor playing certain
speciality derives large income. At present nearly
every town in ,he Country having population oflOooO
over boasts OF variety hall outside of NewYork City
the most prominent OF these are the Howard Aheugm
Boston, the Adepm Theater Of Buffalo, the Holiday
Ile4ter Oh BALTIMORE the Theater C0mique, Cm-
nulu the Alephi, Chicago the COmique, St Louis
the Grand Central OF Philadelphia, aud the Incatcr
Comigue of WASHINGTON THESE, with some OF the minor
establishments outside Of New York and the prominent
i'm u
regard to the merits and dement's Of the people they are
employing attractions. The time Of employment aver
ages about Two weeks theater, and the performers
then move around the circle"
In New-Yorz there are four variety theaters that
well estabshedtle Eagle, the COnque Tony Pastors,
and Olympic. The Tbeaer COmigue Is the furthcst
down town, Messrs. Hagrlgan & Hart are now the
lessees ana the manager, ~ W. Hawley, is perhaps the
youngest Of ali holding that position. The expenses Of
-aen a theater the Comlque average $500 week;
tie receipts are often 500 Light. As much as $40
week paid % good performers. The orchestra costs
$500 week, leaders being paid 500 weeh IN respect
to the salaries given, Hauican and Hart formerly re-
ctivcd $3.50 week Barry, who plays the negro is paid
1928 "a week, ana Toocy Dutch 1laecO gets so the
year around "sJng and dance artists are paid from
$50 down 60 81 90 a week serio-comc singers earn
large salaries. Shelby who is nov successful manager
fra Buffalo, formerly commanded the largest oi sdair
5000 "a week Attractions are usually cn-ased for one
considered r~t Co cake them OF thc bills Tor time, arc
"r.ff4.I QUIZ
Tie lg- Tbcatar con be called the model Varieties
OF tie Volo-.t being one OF tAe I"y7. suptiD'I APP
pointed JIua.-.s i Jla C.,T and ID a3o1s under -l
expense of from SO 800 to 200 a week. Josh hart,
the proprietor been for fifteen years IN the business,
and has hal various experiences He SAYS: 81 DON'T
want this called variety thcater You would c1ii
others principally fJrcas aBd hurI-~quer anc N
cvery thing present have eudcayOrgd 10 reach higher
tone but [ fear taat only certain standard can De
reached u variety performance, and % put perform
aHc OF too h. character Ia Iny theater with It's sur
rounding. si NOT 10 rJg Le audience he I catering
20 lle better rIss but VITA the expenses be is under
must twice a amount OF ou-ile7- o. realize profit
ie intends comedy tlratar hereafter Hart Eds
rsld IoTteScUc -l25 % week; Wiidr, SID Rooney,
$50: Knight. -I-J; Richmond, 81 -, and Miss HueLts,
500. These are a. engaged hp tAe season.
TONY Pastors expenses from $1,000 to $4,000
SIC. A and tl.5 covers some nigh salaries. Williams gets
5000 Miss Morgan 800, ans - on iu proportion.
Tie Olympic I7.lt,r - uadcI lie management Or Col.
SLIM. IT .- called Novelty 1Ieater proy1sy from
the fct that 70 not altogether devoted o lie variety
business Sumo weeks ~. drama is played AID tAra %
theatre. is given To- variety conn ANY, Dies 5i-td
Novelty Company so e. or whatever tAr ease lIay
be. Few Performers employed .Shker tAda NtsA ~
q time The expenses OF tAs house Lrc IRON <JJo 90
5000 "a We. Is and the salaries paid correspond 10 LAo'e
OF Jtlcr taeateIs. Tie pcIui, who have te -a.-eaJ
work IRE perhaps the Cyul-' aud although tie NUM-
Der o. accidents that have Happened 10 the followers or
This line of business s very arEe, tie ssu OF rINp OF
81 80 Der week 90 be slgI-ut iuduceMeAi Tor
them 10 Tl5G tLClr ueens.