The New York herald., 1879-09-01
THE THEATRICAL OUTLOOK.
A Brilliant Programme for
the Park Theatre.
WHAT MIR. ABBEY INTENDS TO DO

At the Park Theatre the HERALD representative
found Mr.. Henry E. Abbey. the manager. who, ON
being asked for information in regard to his
preparations and intentions for the approaching
season. said -
'In the first place. think you might as we'll say
that have concluded to slightly alter the namo Of
this theatre by prehxing my own SO that henceforth
it will be known as 'Abbey's Park Theatre"
lis there any special reason for your changing
the nameY'
Nothing very special but the simple fact that
there many theatres springing up all over
the country, and each designated the Park
Theatre. This reason might ut first sight appear .
frivolous yet it is fact that Ave theatres in differ
ent portions OF the country have been chrstened
with this cognomen during the past year.
Now. in regard to our preparations. During tho
entire summer workmen have been engaged alter.
ing improving and redecorating the house. A new
stage has been put in, and the theatre will be laid
with new carpeting throughout. The entrance has
been frescoed in an artistic manner and when the
pictures have been hung there it will present very
attractive appearance. On the stage entirely
scenery has been prepared for the regular opening
Of my fourth season.
'When docs that event occur?"
ION Monday. September g."
nEvIv1Na OLD ATTRACTIONS.
''what play do you open with?"
..Dundreary's Brother Sam,' with Mr.. Sothern in
the title role. The play written. you
doubtless aware. by the late John Oxenford. who
was for many years the eminent dramatic critic OF
the London Times"
..You think it judicious. then. to commence tho
season with play already well known to tho thea
tire going public Of New York"
..Ah but it is not woll known to the present gem
Grafton of theatre goers, Mr.. Sothern has not
played the part for FIVE years. he having last been
seen in this r6ie at Wailacks Theatre"
''Have you secured the company that is to sup
port Mr.. Sothern?
'.Mr. Sothern brings his own company. nearly all
of whom are English artists. The leading juve.
nile lady is Miss Julia Stewart who created such q
furore in London Maggie Mcfarland in the
comedy of Engaged. Then there is Mr.. Percy
Compton. son OF the late Henry Compton. who was
connected with the Haymarket Theatre. London. for
over forty years. Mr.. W. Blakely. of the Prince OF
Wales Theatre. London; Mr.. Manning. also of the
Haymarket THEATRE Mr.. w. Braggngton. of the
Theatre Royal. Manchester. and Others"
.How long is Brother Sam intended to remain
on the bonrdsY"
'.Not very long. Mr. sothern's engagement being
limited eight weeks. and he is desirous of appear
ing in round of his favorie characters during that
time which Of course will allot only brer period
to each"
..Do you know what other plays he purposes
viving during his engagement?
'4THE CRUSHED TRAaEDIAN."
s.He intends doing Lord Dundreary.' The Crushed
Trsgedian' (which had such an enormous run at this
house two years ago) and David Garrick.'"
'Then it appears that Mr.. Sothern is not to be d.,
TERED from presenting Tho Crushed Tragedian By
the formidable legal res ,urces and forensic powers
of the Count JoannesT"
thaN TN
tho attempt to burlesque Mr.. Sothcrn in his great
character Of Lord Dundreary will silence him for
the remainder OF his pugnscious career"
..Have you decided on the attraction to be pre-
sented at tho conclusion OF Mr.. Sotherns engage
"Yes; Mr.. Joseph X. Emmet will appear In new
comedy entitled Fritz In Ireland"
"In what respect docs that differ from the old
"It is an entirely new play. simply retaining his
vt the osng aa what N Sayo as
of it should say that it will prove. II possible,
popular than the old one and it certainly will
be more attractive In point OF dramatic construc-
.'Who will succeed Mr.. Emmett"
my regular stock company. This theatre Is en-
regular season is divided into combinationor rather
sothern, Emmot, Lotts and others-and the regular
stock season. when the principal works of Gilbert
with ali the old favorites and several new artistes"
"Would you like to give the names OF those conn
posing your stock company
A FAvORITEs.
Certainly; Mrs. Agnes Booth. Mrs. G. H. Gilbert,
Miss Sydney Cowel Miss Marie Chester. and Messrs.
James Lewis. Joseph L. Whiting. I. g. Riggs. w. 7.
Owen and William Cullington AL of whom were with
me last season. OF the now faces the most prom
Gus successful engagements at the principal London
theatres. and Mr.. "; !. Ferguson who Is we'll and
favorably known to New York audiences as . former
momber of wallack's company"
"what play do you propose to inaugurate the
..Gibert's Palace Of Truth which 1t s my intcn.
ton to mount in manner unsurpassed by any
IN the n v tho no as
scenery costumes and cast OF charactors as this
will be. with the possible exception Of The Wicked
World by the same author. produced at the Union
Square Theatre some years ago. We rehearsed Tho
Palace OF Truth last spring. and nearly ready
with scenery and costumes to produce It. but tho
unexampiod success Of 'Engaeed' compelled MS to
postpone its presentation"
"You have the play nearly ready. thenr'
.Yes We intend bringing it out at my Boston
Park Theatre September 10. The costumes.
out OF hs
of scenery have been painted"
"Do you find the Boston people enthusiastic
.'Such is my experience. There is scarcely q city
in America. in proportion to its size where there
many regular theatre goers. The Boston thea.
not at all dependent transient patronage
they rely almost entirely the city and its sub
urbs."
"Are you disposed to encourage ticket speou-
latorsY
OPPOSED TO TICKET srEcUrAToRs.
Decidedly not; have always been opposed to the
SYSTEM which think is altogether injurious to
theatres generally; but l have never tclt myself
strong enough to cope with them before, as tho
ticket specuators of New York form pretty strong
organization. Ipropose from this time forward to
fight them on their own ground. and from tho
course the HERALD has pursued on this question In
the past believe 1t will sustain mo- Ishall prob.
ably be very much annoyed ut rst but this Will noe
deter me from hghtng the evil.''
"What particular kind of warfare do you intend to
sdopt?"
II purpose keeping the ticket spocuators from
In front OF my theatre. and to accomplish this
will IL necessary, cause police officer to be sta
toned In front of tho house every evening, whose
duty it will be to arrest any parties who may DO
found dealing In tickets contrary to tho spirit ana
letter of tho law"
..Do you think tho season is going to be q sue
cessful oneT'
II have great faith that it win be successful, as