The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-09-04
OUR STAGE.
The Drama as Viewed Through Spec
tacleS at the Grand Opera House.
THE VIEWS OF MANAGER POOLE.
His Theory of Successful Management
on the West Side.
ANOTHER SHOT AT THE CRITICS.

Msssrs. Poole 4 Denncily, OF the Grand Opera
House. are . pair OF practical managers, who have
been brought faco to face during tho last three years
with the problem oil low prices Ia cennection with
first class performances During this period they
have given to the public Wallack. Boucicauit John
Mccullough. George Rignold, Mr.. and hrs William.
son. The Alice Oates Company, Fanny Davenport,
John r. Raymond and others or the bright lights Of
the theatrical profession At the present time their
stage is occupied by Mckee Rankin's 'Danites." aud
they promise during the 10 present series oil
powerful plays and star actora Tho question natu-
rally arises, How they can AFFORD 10 do this, while
other theatres nrging much higher rates OF nd
mission, yet sometimes show smaller attendance
The writer recently called Mr.. Poole, one OF the
managers, aud asked him Tor au explanation. HIS
answer follows:-
'n tho nrst pluce, have studied the character OF
our audiences. They represent class OF poopio who
cannot well afford pay the rates that prevail slse-
where and VINO are content 70 wait until We repro
ducc the popular plays and actors Our aim from the
beginning has been TO mako amusement as cheap and
good as It can Be found anywhere else"
MANAGERIAL ExPkRIKNcE.
sand what has been your expcr iencc?"
"Somelh,ng, certainly, OF which we have no rea-
son plain. Now and then no have run against
'snag'-all managers debut 10 the main the result
has been gratifying in every respec. don't think
would exchange my opportunities here for those OF
any other thoatre New York. This 10 third
season, and you can any night judge for yourself
whether the experiment. we have been making with
the public is q success"
ssBut how do you account for this success"
.'On tho planest Of business principes-tnternal
economy ana mer,sorious work on the part OF the
artists whom employ. you will take tho trouble
to run your eye this list you will sec that we
have boon cbary 10 endeavos TO present here
almost every good thing that has been seen else
where. For instance, We opened in September,
1876. The Oates English Opera 1rst appeared. and
was followed by sUncie Toms CABIN 'Bunalo Bill'
srhe Grabbed Age, The Black Crook with Mile.
Morlacch. and her ballet; sUnder the Gasbght.' by
Ausust,n DAILY, and a company from his Filth Avenue
Theatre; Divorce Man and Wife, Fernandc,'
Monsieur Alpnonse,' The Two Orphans, with the
Union Square Company; Miss Mutton and Rose
Michel Then came benefit 10 the managers Ut
the theatre, in winch every theatre in New York
was represented among the volunteer artists After
this followed In quick succession Tony Pastor WI tn
his variety business; the Princess Royal with
Fanny Davenport, John Brougham. James Lewis
and others in tue cast; Colonel Sellers
ssmike' and Kerry Cow Meanwhile concerts were
given hero by Giimore's Band, the Jubilee Singers
nrst season. In 1877 opened with 8. F. Chanfrau,
after whom came John Marlborough With his Sc
crct Service 'Ah sin.' The Dauitcs,' rcvival
Of Uncle Toms Cabin 'Rosedae.' with Mr. Lester
Wallack's Company; the Tho Hunchback,' with
Mss Reginald Dacs ~ a dcbutanto; tho .Octorooo,'
sKM, the Arkansas Traveller with Mr. Chantrau
as the star; Bouc,cault in the Shaughrauu, the
Folly Company with 'Babcs tho Wood Struck
Or ana tho Chinese Question: Henry w. the
~ NAH II
lIsh Opera Company which produced III rrovatorc, >
sThe Bohemian Giri' and Martha The most I'm.
portant feature OF the year tho engagement Of
MI John Mccullough, who played to large houses
Spariicus, virginius, Othcllo. Richard I'LL. King
Lear, Damon and Pythas, Jack Cade, Brutus
aud Macbeth. Tony Pastor followed, ana then
came the Celebrated Case Leonard Growers farce
Our Boarding House. the Hess English Opera Com.
pany and Bryant's Mirstrcls You may Inior from
this long list OF attractions what We have cndsavored
10 do ana am frank confess that SO far my in
formation extends have been successful than
any other theatre IN New York "
now OPERA HOUSE WAS TAKEN.
Grant Opera House ORIGINALITY"
"wer, think was sort Of instinct. Mr..
Donnely aud myself were riding up town In the cars
day when the suggestion was made that there was
money In tho place, Notwithstanding the business
m,shaps oil which Il had previously been tho scene.
We argued there must have been lack OF tact n
the m cement cause failure, and that
mutual experience, covering as it did quarter OF q
century, would enable us to detect ana correct tho
evils that had swampsd predecessors. So we put
our shoulders to the wheel; wont ut once TO the
VI a' Know lease ana con"
HAS your success boon asteady oncf'
and men sucoun,seed d,scourSrns Obstacles but ~c
pcrsevered, found our enorts appreciated; saw tina.
ihere broad neld tor enterprise on this side Of
| the town. ana now ask no tavors."
THE WEST PALArs.
'Do you regard the taste Tor the drama this side
OF tho city different from that which 10 TO be found
| more central locatiOnsf"
"By no meaus. The audiences that assemble hero
critical those which congrezato IN any place
| Of amuscmcnt In tho city. Look them over aud on
viii hnd ~ many evidences OF social refinement and
81 low rrc. Son bS.
| Satisfactory Y"
the people wanted and as regards the stars, think u
gave such gentlemen as Waiiack, bouclcauit, JONI
McC uiiou III, tho wrIiamsons and others unqualified
| pleasure TO witnoss tho immense audisnces to which
| thcy played. Why, have secn nights here when you
could scarcely turn IN the vestboie and people were
content with view Of the stage from tho stairwaya
''You iee quite sure that ali tns was the result OF
| your policy regards pricssf"
| .Yss--lnat added TO good performances But mark
you We have q thoatre with large seating capacity
| aud AFFORD 10 do that which might not he profit
able In a smaller estabsnmeut. Our expcrimc ut was
douptcss viewed with sood doal Of curiosity by oul
Contemporaries Ia the business but II was not long
bsioro they discovered that wc have an element oI
patronage whicn they had no control aud which
mas generously gwen us support. In fact, ! think
there are great number Of people living lar away
|
psarance Of popular play or an actor at the Grand
opera House, rather Than pay the usual charges which
| prevail elsewhere
what wore your primary sicps9"
eat first found people we're inclined u
think that because prices were low our perform
ances N ust necessarily be inferior, and We had u
overcome this feeling by presenting pieces WITH
really stronger east and stronger effect than ATTENDED
their appearance elsewhere. BY this means VI
quickly convinced tho public that ws were intent OF
securing the choicest talent Now that this Impression
has obIained foothold have no difficulty Th'
best among the stars glad to play with Us bsosus
they always make money, aud she best OF people 90
| cupy our auditorium. l think II gave Mr. WallacI
ana Mr.. Boucicault as much pleasure 20 play hero nj
they enjoy In their own cosey theatre on broadway
Both OF them certainly carried away handsome
| lot OF money and let with the impression thss VI
west siaers are good as some other people"
| "Is II your atm " produce new pIaysf"
| .'Qune tho contrary. We rsproduoe ouly those this
have met with success elsewhere. Other manager