The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1880-02-15
THEATRICAL PRICES.

lHeT4 lS very general COWWeuN, huu ~
little complaint, az to the way In which Man
ager Hall. Of the Varieties Theatre, has con-
trived to prize In an extra twenty-five cents
upon the admission price at his theatre
during the engagement Of the Abbott Opera
Company. We have already referred to the
fact OF the imposition Of this extra charge
and have shown that 1t IL unwarranted. We
still think that In the matter of the transac-
ton Mr. Hall has failed to do justice to the
patrons Of the theatre. and We now wish to
say that In the manner he has been disin-
xenuous. It was bad enough to raise the
price at moment when New Orleans was
entertaining thousands OF strangers, and
when there were multitudes here who had
virtually no alternative except to submit to
the extoruon; but it was still worse to veil
this under the announcement Of Theatrical
prices" We can see nothing In the affair
that Is creditable to Mr.. Hall-everythinR to
make us regret that the methods aud ideas
Of the Varieties management should be what
they are.
We have refrained, heretofore, from great
deal OF comment that was abundantly jusu-
fled by the circumstances Of the case, simply
because the Varieties Theatre Is an institu-
tion of which we are proud, and In whose sue
cess we feel genuine concern. The season,
however, Is now nearly over. aud. besides. the
nature of this last proceeding Is so fragrant
as to forbid further silence. II this company
did not aspire to interpret grand opera and
did not Insist upon larger prices than we are
Ia the habit Of paying for ordinary perform
ances, they would not invite this sort OF COM
ment, and the community would be very glad
to patronize them. As 1t Is, they cannot es'
cape such remark as this.
Ali these considerations, coupled with other
points Of Mr.. Halls management, lead US TO
express the hope that the proprletors OF the
theatre will exercise some vigilance ia the
event Of new contract with Mr.. Hail, or any
other manager. The orchestra has been a
fruitful source OF displeasure for very
long time past. It is thin, poor, badly organ
ized and miserably furnished Mr.. Halls
small economies In the matter OF gas, too,
are thoroughly exasperating. large pro-
portion OF the burners are constantly KEEP,
unlighted, and those that are lighted are sci
dom II ever kept at their full capacity. 1t Is
q matter Of everyday comment that after
the fall OF the curtain 1t Is almost impossible
to distinguish faces on the opposite side OIL
the auditorium, and nobody has yet been able
to see in this anything but narrow parsi
mony which Injuries the theatre far more than
can be compensated by the saving In the gas
bills. And when, In addition to all this, we
consider the swift enthuei ISM with which Mr.
Fl Ill invariably agrees to every proposition
to raise the price Of admission-as 10 the
present instance-it seems fair to sukyes,
that the Varieties has not cast Its lines 10
pleasant places, and that almost any change
Ia it's fortunes will be for the better. What
the Varieties needs is q liberal and enlight
ened management, . good orchestra, an oper
sccount with the Gas Company and an aboli