The New York herald., 1879-09-06
THE THEATRICAL OUTLOOK.
Programme of the Season at the
Standard Theatre.
Mr. HENDERSON ON THEATRICAL EXPENSES
Preparations for German Pa
irons Of the Drama.
lR HENDERSON on THEATRICAL EXPENSES
THE GERMANlA THEATRE SEASON.

At the Standard Theatre Mr. William Henderson.
the manager. was found on tho stage surrounded by
a crowd of importunate male and female applicants
for positions during the coming season. Having
disposed of thesei the manager led the way Co his
private Office. In to question us to what
preparations he making for the approaching
theatrical season Mr.. Henderson said-
"We commenced the front of the building. as
you may have seen. and the coats of white paint
applied have made that part look quite presentabe.
The smoke from the engines on the Il road seems
to make q decided impression on the front OF the
budingso much in fact. that it requires paint
ing at least year. Now. in regard to the inte
rior of the house. it will be refurnished throughout.
The mirror walls will be recovered in tasteful
manner both up stairs and down. There will be
carpets laid all the aisles leading throughthe
parquet and also i'll the auditorium"
"Are there going to be any alterations the .
stage?'
''Yes; but those alterations will principally be in
the footghts and border lights which will be
arranged to enable us to present realistic repre-
sentations OF sunset and moonlight which improve
ments have hitherto lacked. The general i'm
preston has been that, theatre being small the
stage is proportionately contracted. This is mis-
take, however. the stage is one Of the most de-
srable regard to width of any in the city it being
100 feet from wall to WALL That. consider. is q
great Improvement upon the Oiu pian OF DulfolnS
theatres, which was make the stage deep and
narrow. For instance, when wo have heavy set
upon the stage. the curtain dropping we can-re-
meve the setting almost bodily and place it on
side which enables the carpenters to set the
scene expediiously. thus relieving the audience
from long and tedious waits, which often
found annoying.
..The stage being so commodious you probably
found an abundance Of scenery when you took
charge OF the theatre!"
.'No, indeed the contrary regular Theatrical
performances had taken place here seldom that
very little scenery had been required; that Lhave
been obliged to get up nearly all the scenery used
during the past year and half of my management.
and we are now getting up entirely new and appro-
pirate scenery Narcisse the opening play Of the
season..
when is your opening nght?"
"Wednesday, September ~. It was the original
intention to have opened on the 9Th. butseveral
members of the new company could not get released
from their English engagements in time to be here
for proper rehearsals.
'sThis company, to which you aIlude, is the one
that Mr.. Bandmann opens with in your theatre"
yes he himself engaged it on the other side for
the express purpose of supporting him during his
engagement here
'.How long is that engagement for?'
1.-Two months, subject to renewal, however, II
the public desires, for hold that the public
the true managers of all theatres and that in
nav have lease long or short MI it terninates the
moment the public ceases to pasronizc u.s.
HAS Mr. Bandmann leased the theatre?
mo. He receives portion OF the receipts for the
services OF himself and company. Mr.. Bandmann
pays for all the new scenery and also the new
TUNES which have been imported for his plays. and
they the most elegant dresses have during
add that in producing the entirely scenery,
wardrobes and properties 1t is the intention of Mr.
Bandmann and myself to have the performance
complete in every detail, claiming for the same
perfect presentation that given by Mr.. Irving at
his late revivals in the Lyceum Theatre. London.
The piece will be improved by the Introduction of
ballet young ladies and also OF children. both
of which the costumes have already been purchased
abroad
care there any other novel features to be pre-
sentedT
'sIn my early years of management 1t was always
the custom to give farce after the first play and
think probably that the reason for doing so to
send the audience home in a merry mood after q
serious piece Now for the last ten years this has
been almost entirely omitted by the managers. l
therefore resolved to give amusing farce and
for two reasons-hrst, for the purpose of amusing
the public. and second. for the purpose OF intro
ducing some OF the new company tor the nrst tme
to New York audience"
csse'Y"
..The next play after 'Narcisse' will be Hamlet.
which will also be presented with entirely new
dresses, scenery and properties Mr.. Bandmann
has played Hamlet with marked success in all our
principal cities here and also in London and the
british provinces. And by the way. would state
here that one OF .he most charming aud correct
Ophelias on the stage is Mrs. Bandmann. who
formerly Miss Milly Palmer. and great favorite in
the London theatres
..After Mr. Bandn,ann, what theny'
"we will then give season OF comic opera. open
ing with the Princess Toto. hbretto by Mr.. Gill
bert, music by Frederick Clay. That will probably
bring me up to the spring season. when few popu-
lar stars will appear
rnk QUESTION OF PRICES.
"Are the prices OF admission mt the Standard
Theatre going to remain the same last yearp''
They are; that question of prices has been quite
an important with me in my managerial expe-
rience. have tried both horns OF the dilemma, and
result is that am in favor OF the present stand
ard OF high prices.
what are these?'
..One dollar and q half for secured seat, 81,
fifty and twenty-five cents for admission. My
reason for believing in the high prices. just
timated. is that the theatre goer is the best
judge himself OF what price he wishes to pay for q
ticket. There ls another thing that would say in
this connection. and that is that while all articles of
consumption that have fallen in price
almost fifty per cent, the cost of running theatre
has not decreased but, the contrary, 1t has in
creased For instance. terms to stars are higher
than ever before. First class performers command
higher salaries thar at any time that can remem-
Der. Takeh all together. the general expenses of
running theatre now are fully up to any previous
time
''whst do you think of the prospective success Of
the season.
II think the prospects good. from this fact.
that the demand produce OF all kinds has largely
increased. This s especially the with the cot
trade and it is principally caused by the cotton
factor finding foreign demand tor his goods which
brings us back ready cash. There is also in-
creased demand all through the country for real
estate and stock investments. all of which tend I'M
mistskably to show an encouraging revival trade
generally. Under those circumstances believe that
it "a manager gives such entertainments will suit
the popular taste he Will IND his reward In the box
Office
TICKET spEcUIATINa.
What is your opinion about ticket specuiatngY'
"My opinion Is that IL the public cease to buy
from the specuator ticket speculating must cease.
SO Tar AS | ain concerned have never ENCOURAGED
ii"
THE GERMANIA THEATRE.