The New York herald., 1879-08-30
A Varied Programme for the Grand
Opera House.
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY.
Engagement of a Host of Brilliant Star
m Attractions
AN ENCOURAGING PROSPECT.


men. who about completing divers and sundry
improvements to the already handsoW interior Of
the house. The writer having stated The object OF
his visit Mr. Donnelly proceeded to furnish the de-
sired information. aud in reply to an inquiry as to
what preparations and plans the management had
made for the ensuing theatrical season said:-
During vacation we have upholstered the theatre
afresh put down new carpets throughout the house
and otherwise embellished 1t generally. We have
also added new stock Of scenery and properties.
consequently in position to give the
highest Of entertainment in the best possible
manner"
How about your prices?' asked the writer.
"They will remain the same heretofore. Q
feature which has had 80 great IN influence the
of the present management. For instance.
we give roomy. comfortable reserved seat. which
be booked two weeks in advance. tor nifty cents.
"But you have higher priced seats in the theatreY'
eyes. we havo. Our orchestra stalls are seventy
five cents and parlor sofa chairs. Of which there is
limited number. 81. But our hfty cent seats
good any In the theatre. being situated on
the first floor. and equal to any seats for which
81 80 is charged in other first class theatres"
"How can you afford to give such desirable seats
for moderate price?"
"weIl because tho capacity Of the theatre is
great and the attractions positive that the house
is always crowded.
'sWhat is the secret of your success in securing
those positive attractlons?"
''When we desire to have stars appear at the
Grand Opera House we simply ask them. How much
money do you require for . certain number OF per-
formances? We take all the risk. confident In the
appreciation Of the public; and the steady support
that we have received from patrons OF the theatre
has warranted in giving the largest certainties
that have been given in the profession
When we took the Grand Opera House first our best
friends volunteered the opinion that It would prove
. white elephant on hands As evidence
Of the standing the theatre had the gross receipts
for sixteen performances during two weeks of
first season s2ls. while the expenses close
$5.000."
"were you not discouraged at that return for your
outlayY
..No; we knew We had one Of the finest theatres in
America. with every facility for the production Of
all sorts of dramatic. operate and spectacular enter
tainments. Mr.. Poole and myself felt that 1t was
simply matter Of time. having had lifelong ex-
perience actors. authors and managers and the
result has proved the correctness of our Judgment
.What style Of entertainment have you found
the most successfully
ENGAGEMENTS SUCCESSFUL AND OTHERWISE.
I'VE consider the engagement of Lester wallack
the successful artisticaly and financially. Of
to as much money regard the Satisfaction he
gave our patrons a. having had the gratifying
results"
"Mr Boucicault played q successfui engagement
here. did he not?''
Eyes. on the first engagement last season-very."
.'To what do you attribute the non-success Of the
last ensagementf"
..The thing that accounts for al bad business
"Dd not the production N at your house OF acknowl-
edged successes In other theatres materially help
your businessr'
Indirectly. yes. as 1t gave an opportunity to
prove to the public. by comparison. that enter
tainment in every way equal II not superior. to
any other theatre in the city. and in many cases
what financial failure at other theatres proved
quite the contrary here.
"Can you recall . case in pointr
"Certsinly. several. The Danites.' for instance.
when originally produced in Broadway failed to at
While bsn %
Grand Opera House 1t drew crowded houses. whioh
psinly proves the standing OF the theatre. as the
company in each was the same. Then, again,
Maggie Mitchell. the Fiorences. the wiliamsons and
several others. while they turned away people from
benches during their engagement at other theatres
in the city another compliment to our cheerful
"What are your plans for the coming seasonY'
"weli. We will pursue the Same course as Last
season.
WHAT raK MANAoRns INTEND DOING.
"To give tho best attraction in America ct one
all plays with much in the mise sce~e
the most liberal outlay will insure. In this respect
would state f.ct not generally known-that is. that
presented with entirely scenery and effects.
which go into stock and remain until the repro
dotion of the play, the wonderful resources OF the
theatre enabling us to do so."
''Are your arrangements in the form of attrac-
tions tor the approaching season completed?'
Entirely so. with the exception Of four weeks
which left open at the urgent request OF Maurice
Strakosch."
.Car yov stato tbo oh r.cta~ ~ t,a octorx.rr.ct
you intend givingY"
Our list OF is. consider. the best guarantee
to what the character or the seasons entertain
ments will be- We have begun with Msrsden's play
Of Kerry Cow in which Mr.. Joseph Murphy, who
appears as Dan oHara BY the way. this play Of
Kerry Cow was one OF the nrst and most marked
successes We have had at tho Grand Opera House.
and we feel that Mr.. Murphys return is source OF
genuine satisfaction to the public. He will be sue
ceedcd by Miss Emn-a Abbott and her newly organ
with Victor Masses new work. Paul and Virginia.
which willHbe produced In n manner which tor ex-
try. We are doing everything in our power TO mako
this opera pre-eminently attractive. lndepend
cnt OF our desire to please the public
Abbott that IL s labor of love part to please
her. Tho last scone in Paul aud Virginia will DO
particularly granG. 1t Is usually omitted, being
difhcut OF representation. 1t Is realistic prcsen-
taton of storm at sea. where fuil-rigged ship is
mateIy dashed to pieces on the rocks. This scene
has never yet been presented In this opera in
America"
NO INCREASE OF PRICES
"Of course you increase your prices Of admission
during Miss Abbou's engagementY'
Certainly not. Our prices are our trademark and
will always remain unaiterable. Our rule remains
the same with Miss Abbott with all stars. We
guarantee them certain amount and take all the
risks ourselves"
"How long will Miss Abbotts company remain
with your
"Only two weeks. In accordance with our policy
of q constant change in the programme of attrac-
tons they will be succeeded by Tony Pastor and his
unrvalled mirth making company who will appear
for one week. Then have the welcome Flor
cnces. the jovial Billy and his cstmsble wife, who
will respectively appear Hon. Bardwell Slotc and
Mrs. General Gilhory In the Mighty Dollar In
which Mrs. Florence will sustain her reputation for
being the best dressed woman on the American
STAGE She will oven excel her costumes of last
Aloek Elora I,aos IafIos