The New York herald., 1879-09-13
THE THEATRICAL OUTLOOK.
Behind the Scenes with the Multi
gans-How They Succeed.
HARRIGAN AND HART
Demand Among the Public for
the Homemade Drama.


back doors Of most other houses of entertainment.
is difficult thing pass. Cerberus sits there with
watchful eye, and At the least indication OF in
trusion his stalwart form fills in the frame. Having
business with the "Mulligans," representative Oh
the HERALD called at the Comique last nigh ana ~
the announcement of his desires the rear guard Win
politeness unusual in his class quickly carried tne
message TO the famous partners. "If your own re-
hections not amusing employ your mind on
that while am absent" said the back doorman to
the reporter he left him standing in the passage
The subject he pointed out for study was mani
festo issued by Mr. Welsh Edwards. the stage
manager of the theatre. and called the "Rules and
Regulations" This imposing pacaro forbids smok-
ing, drinking swearing in the house. loud CONVEX
sation in tho WINGS under pain OF dismissal. and
cautioned the artists that want Of familiarity with
their parts dallance with the rehearsing hours or
inattention business would affect the sum OF their
salaries at the end Of the week. As artists are
usually very sensitive the subject of salary. 1t Is
most likely that Mr.. Edwards directions are con-
sderatey carried out and that the actors under his
paternal management as prompt perfect and reg
ulated in their those of the best ap
pointed theatre in town. Cerberus returned and
said
THE MULLIGANs.
"The Mulligans will see you up stairs, that way"
and he pointed in the direction Of o large hole in
partition.
1t was easy to say THAT way" finding 1t was
another matter There were devious paths and un-
forsenn ways be readed before the curriculum of
the guards" could be reached-ways that twisted
and wound round lurking corners and doubled and
hid beams that corided with ones head without
permission and steps that carromed with ones
knee-cap and shin and not as much as say "By your
leave" Finally q stair looms up at the termination
AIaIxx ps,atf Nf
pendcular. dimly lighted steps were Harrigan and
Hart.
Il came for some information about your season."
said the reporter.
Talk to Ed.' said the rollicking little Hart.
'Hes the Oldest"
Have you made any alterations in your theatre.
Mr.. Harriganr'
''Well. yes. We've brushed her up bit. and. a.
Toney' says. she's looking like daisy now No
doing things by halves. We had good season
last year. and the old gall deserved a dress.
we gave it to her. We engaged the best workmen
We could hnd. gave them full play for their free
fancies. and the result is % K"
''What do you think Of thatr' said Mr.. Hart.
"Oh. Eds fine fellow. sir; yes. sir. What dye
;hink he's doing now? Practising. sir. practising.
You've heard of the man who threw the brick?
Well. sir. Ed means to swallow cat"
"Out of the chowderY'
"Red hot out of the chowder. He's ambitious
Nothing small will satisfy him. He says any fellow
can get away with knuckle bone piece of the
breast. but he means to go the whole animal. ana
all At once. too. at sgulp. Think Of that. There's
only trouble. He can't hnd one big enough.
We've had men and boys securing the town since
came back aud they bring in all kinds Of Toms
and 'tabbes. but they're most too lean and little
He wants q monster, sir. and he'd like him fat A
pet, If he could get one'
CHANGES THE coMIQUK.
Never you mind him." said Mr. Harrigan. "He's
always on the guy I'm vegetarian. But talking
about the theatre. We have engaged Mr.. Witham,
the scenic artist who was SO long with Mr. Daly at
the Fifth Avenue Theatre. and we have added Rob-
ert Cutler. the machinist, to our staff Mr. Cutler
was tor years connected with the late G. L. Fox.
That will show you what we propose to accomplish
in the way Of stage setting. You haven't seen the
landscapes in the panels around the auditorium. I
are something for the people to admire during the
waits
'.But don't give 'em any waits" broke in Mr.
Hart. ''once the curtain goes up we keep 'em on
the bounce"
.You have been very successful"
1--WE have. indeed" said Mr.. Harrigan; "and
think our success is due TO giving the public what
they want to the best OF ability. They like to
to Seize the Opportunity The discovery is not a
new one. and the merit lies In faithfully following
out fixed policy We try to strike folly it aies
shake up run and throw 1t vt them, short and
sweet. and keep the ball rolling That's our way Of
doing it,"
perouslyy
quite the contrary. We have often left this
building after paying our debts without enough in
our pockets to buy a cigar. People say now we
lucky; so we are But We had a terrible struggle to
fetch that good fortune. The Brooklyn ire came
during our first season and nearly swamped us. We
stuck to It. though and now, thanks to friends
we are getting along"
THE MULLIGAx SERIES OF PLAYS.
care you going to continue the Mulligan series of
II am. We find the interest in the clean Multi
plf cd hay fbcr mia ~ hat ,fo
ready. and when they're tired or this I'll bring it
comes in at the tail end of the season. He belongs
to the 'Chowder.' and that will run till then; SO
Ed Will have plenty OF time to study the situation
do you carry the persons through all these
playsT
Yes but tho plots. incidents and business are
different"
You have written more pretentious works than
this you are doing nowY
Yes; Old Lavender .Lorgaine' and others that
were produced here aud in California am now
gagged on u local comic opera"
what arc you going To call it?"
81 haven't called it anything yet. / have great
hopes OF IT, though Braham has exceiled himself
In the music. Now. | have any luck at all there's
where IL is-in having such musical director. Dave
Brahams melodies are whistled and sung in every
corner OF this country, and in many outside OF IL.
Go to the Battery some Friday evening and listen.
You'll hear Suppe. Gounod. Offenbach. Lecocq and
sullivan. ana the people Will enjoy their music; but
the moment the band strikes up one of Braham's
melodies you hear the crowd take 1t up and Join in
the chorus That's what call glory. One of the
papers called them street melodies They are
nothing of the KIM. They are Braham's melodies"
81 hear you have larger company Of negro per-
formers than you had last yearr'
EYES, have six teams of the clevcrest performers
In the profession. headed by John Wild and Billy
Grey"
HAPPY FAMILY.
"How do the dramatic and variety people get along
together"
''very well. indeed. We one family here, and
each one trying to do the very best he the
house We retain the same people as long possible.
and they understand that our Is also theirs
Every ono has Iis her separate line OF business,
and there are nc joalouses People engaged with
view their adaptability TO the several characters
they will bo called upon to illustrate during the
intend to bring out and get everything in complete
running order before we start strict discipline
prevails here, and ! assure you we take no small
pride In our little shop.
your sketches and plays have all been taken from
New York lifer'