The New York herald., 1877-01-16
Tho Theatrical Revival and the
Hard Times.

Although "Hard Times" is now tho
popular song, and although the theatres
have been suffering from combination of
adverse influences, beginning with the
Brooklyn fire and including the weather
and the snow-b blocked streets, still the New
York managers have set an example of pluck
and enterprise which other business men
would do we'll to study and initiate. The
Olympic has closed its doors, in conse-
quence of difference of opinion as to the
proper person to foot the bills for the alter
atoms required by the Department of Build
ings but at most of the other theatres the
necessary attentions have been made with
out interfering with the entertainments, and
at the Fifth Avenue and Niblo's the super
intendent of the department has given o
certificate of perfect safety in his
report that mo recommendations are
necessary" The natural alarm of the pub
lie being thus set at rest there is no reason
why our people should not again crowd the
very comfortable and even elegant theatres
and witness the bright and enlivening en-
tertainments which our plucky managers
have provided. New York has more of such
theatres and entertainments than any other
capital in the world, and we need not fear
to compare the New York programme of
amusements, as advertised in our columns,
with those of London or Paris, except in
regard to OPERA and we are still in hopes
that M. Strakosch will help us out of that
odious comparison.
NJ -.
play adapted from the German and called
Lemons, or Wedlock for Seven," opened
the week last night. The perennial Bouci-
cault winds up his long season at Wallack's
with forbidden Fruit" and the veteran
Wallack himself is announced in GAIL for
Her," the most successful play produced
in England last year. "Dan'l Druce" at
Booths attracts the same large audiences thet
filled the London Haymarket Theatre during
its run there. Mr.. Edwin Booth, at our Ly-
ceum, is fair offset for Mr.. Henry Irving at
the London Lyceum The Union Square con-
tinues to reproduce the French "Miss Null
ton" in spite of being compelled to keep
numerous Miss Multons and several doctors
constantly on hand to defy the attacks of
illness upon the original cast. The Park has
revived "The Marble Heart" Mr. DAILY.
keeping his immense company together by
the shrewd generalship of sending out
brigades to reinforce other theatres supplies
the Grand Opera House with q successful
presentation of "Divorce." The favoritc molo-
drama, Uncle Toms Cabin" is ON the bills
at the New Broadway. "Azurinc" fourishes
at Niblos, the famous homo Of ''Thc Black
Crook" Add to these the standard attrac-
tions of the San Francisco and Kelly &
Icons minstrels and tho excellent enter
tainments at such variety shows as Tony
Pastors and the Theatre Comique and, as
soon as M. Strakosch gives us his opera
house, we may challenge all Europe to equal
the lengthy list.
In spite Of politics, the depression of
business, snow, fire and weather the people
of New York have been and will always be
good patrons of the good theatres. The war
times are remembered as having been the
best for the theatres, and there is no reason
why these times should be the worst. Dur
ing period Of depression there is no
cheerier resort than q theatre and no better
friend to the community than the manager
who labors to lift the public out of care and
trouble and furnish "a laugh for every
body" Without waiting for the formalities
of the Surrogate's Court, like Vanderbilt
and Stewart, they scatter their splendid
gifts broadcast, and everybody may enjoy
them at once. We hope to see this public
spirit fully appreciated by the public, and
trust that the story of the poor players and
the silent singers, which we recently pub
lished, may never have to be told again
so far as it has any reference to New
York.