Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-10-27

srade we have had. The experieuce of these
companies y fully told bv the manager q
tne buskln Club when he SAYS, in speakinR
u the poor support received by those com
panies which the Buskin Club sent here
we were 90 poorly patronized that re did
NOT care to risk any further entertainments
there (Augusta), although we have often had
the opportunity to place some of our first
class attractions there" Citizen. evident.
y has vast amount of local pride in the
SIZE Of the stage. He says: I'VE have the
largest stage outside of Portland" There
may have been . time when this was true !;
out Citizen" is evidently unaware that the
stage OF Norombega Hall. Bangor, has been
largely increased in size since the Buskin
Ciuo began to secure entertainments for that
CRY. and that II is now decidedly larger than
our hall stage. He is also evidently una ware
OF the immense stage of Music Hall. Lewiston.
which Is an exact reproduction of the Boston
museum stage; or the City Hall stage, Lewis
ton; or the Hayford Opera House stage.
neifasfi or of the stage in the new hall in
Camden. which is so arranged that il can be
made fully one-thrd larger than any stage in
this city: or Of the stage of the new Opera
mouse, Bangor. ANY of the above halls can
boast OF stages as large. and most of them of
larger stage room than we can although with
proper floor, carpets and scenery the stage
room in this city will fully accommodate any
company we can secure 20 perform here.
'Arion' saws: If this affair cannot be man.
aged without the assistance of club sixty
nve miles dis;an., we ought not TO have any
entertainments 10 enjoy" s.Arion," evident
ly. has not had much experience in securing
nrst-ciass companies. or else did not read nv
suggestion IN regard to cooperation. Both
Mt
disturbed at the idea of having anything to
do with outsiders. Well. Mr. Editor. that is
one of the very things which has so reduced
the number and quality of our entertainments
We grant, as we should. packed houses
TO local efforts, but outside companies
of the merits of even those mentioned
above, can barely secure recognition sufficient
to pay expenses. Ny suggestion was not TO
employ the Buskin Club To furnish Us enter
tainments, but that a club of reliable per-
sons be formed. to embrace among Il men,
bers men from the towns and cities below US.
and that this club cooperate with the mana
gers of frst-class entertainments in Bangor
Lewiston. and Portland. In this manner en-
tertainments of a higher grade could be
brought to all four places at less expense
than now. as it is a well known fact that the
first talent can be commanded for tour of
Blk nlgHts "hen ar engagement Tor small
town for one night cannot be effected at ALL
except at prices far beyond the reach of such
towns. These four cities. collectively, could
require six performances of nearly every
company engaged. By such an arrangement
the best could be held at a minimum price to
all concerned: and while, l will grant, We
should loose some of our exclusiveness,
which is now expended upon minstrel trOupes,
we should gain in quality by fraternzing a
little with the ''outside barbarians." The
project of selling tickets to a course is good
as far as it goes, but it is spasmodic; you get
a half dozen good entertainments one year,
and none the next. There is no certainty
of any one being ready tie econd year, rs
the plan requires large amount of
hard labor in soliciting, which few people
are willing to undertake but once. Under
my plan. fund is created by one successful
which can he drawn upon, if
for any reason an entertainment was unsuc-
cessful. If well known men should cham
piOn the enterprise their guaranty would be
sufficient to fill every satisfactory seeing and
hearing portion of our hall; probably about
seven or eight hundred persons could be fair
ly accommodated. The objections to be over
come were very plainly set forth by "Arion."
But whether under one plan or another, it
matters but little, if this discussion only leads
to the securing of a better class of amuse-
ments and generous patronage of them when
secured by the citizens of Augusta.
Among whom may be found
john SMITH.