Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-21


somely to Mr. Booths success, they have moi
done what they might have done had there
been a theater here large enough to hold a
| good audience; and had the management
| intelligence and acumen enough to know
how to place
MR.. BOOTHS APPEARANCE
| and other places. The need of good the
alter that will hold large audience becomes
more imperative. Ii we had place of
| amusement that would seat twice the audi
ence that the Memphis Theater does, it
could have been filled every night by the
people of the surrounding towns. Naturally
those people look to Memphis for amuse-
ment, but they have looked so long in vain
! that they have ceased TO look at all. In this
way the theatrical interests OF Memphis
laDguish, and the impression goes abroad
that it is a sort of
DRAMATIC GRAVEYARD.
The "Cheap John" policy of Brooks helps it
along in its downward path, and the inferior
nature of the attractions practically confirms
its tendency to ruin. How often do we see
at the Theater such audiences as have greeted
Booth? 1t is not so much to numbers of
those present as to their character
that reference is made. 1t is the rarest
thing to see one of the well-to-do mer-
chants of Front street at the Theater. Why?
They are men who don't believe in giving
something for nothing unless in case of
charity, and they see no reason why they
should contribute their shekels to Sufferer
Brooks. Now, were the attractions attrac-
tive, were the Theater made a cosy home
like place, instead of
RED, WHITE AND BLUE AFFAIR
with suggestion of mausoleum thrown in,
the best citizens OF Memphis would patronize
it. The worst comment upon the Theater ar
present is the fact that the representative cit
liens do not patroniza it. The usual audience
is composed of young men and young ladies,
and of course this class is not large enough
to sustain it, 1t is said that Memphis is
three night town; that there are not enough
people here to sustain a single play for a
week. The reason of this is simply the
" Shadow-of- Death circuit. Under this
baleful oppressor of the players, the old time
reputation of Memphis Is gone. 1t is still
good minstrel and
VARIETY SHOW TOWN,
simply because the people liking such shows
seemed to be catered to more especially than
any other. During the engagement now I'M
der discussion the lawyers and merch ants
and doctors have turned out as well as the
young clerks and business men, and the great
tragedian has had a welcome from a cosmo-
politan audience, and one TT fecting the best
character of the people. Mr.. Brooks has
shown that it is possible to run a variety
thsater here, and the engagement of Mr..
Booth shows that it is possible to run le-
Ultimate one here. The people are tired of
chaff and wind, and they want substance.
We have had
NO OPERA
o-oa,.t anJ IT,aooU, AZ Ill
nest possible excuses therefor, and we are all
heartily tired of it. Every year a new opera
or two is produced in nearly every other city
in the country; but Memphis has to wait and
wait, and very frequently is deprived of
hearing them at all. This is because of the
outrageous monopoly of the "Shadow-of
Death" circuit. Haverly's fine attractions
are never seen here, because that manager
will have nothing to do with Joe Brooks.
THE COMING THEATER.-
But the people will eventually secure a
theater, and it will be large enough to hold
large audience. Patti will not be compelled
to give US the go-by because it is rot possible
10 get enough people in the house to justify
her coming. The future theater of Memphis
will be cosy at the same time that it will
hold large number Of people. 1t will not
suggest a beer-garden nor sarcophagus.
1t will be light and pleasing to the eye. 1t
will be SO attractive that the sober business |
men cannot keep away from it. 1t will be |
so inviting that men will be compelled to go |
there, noteRs roteRs.
THE FINE TREAT
which Memphil has had during the last
three days is due to Mr. Abbey, the manager
of Mr.. Booth. The olden times come back
when one thinks OF the superb way in which
the trsgedian was met; and when a new
theater is built, as it undoubtedly will be ere
long, and managed by an intelligent man,
the old interest in the theater will revive.
The South is peculiarly susceptible to |
the drama, and Memphis is type. |
There is no town or city in the country ca
pablo OF nicer discrimination than the Bluff |
City, and when thinks of the dramatic |
events OF its past history he cannot but re- |
greet that the glory has departed, the old pic |
luresque enthusiasm is gone, and the DOM
nant figure in our dramatic interests is the |
money getter. Think of dry goods clerk |
deciding what is good enough or too good |
for the blood OF a Memphis audiencel The |
assurance OF the thing The present en- |
sagement is proof that
MEMPHIS APPRECIATES
nigh DIR amatic art. 1t was indeed vindica-
lion of the intelligence and refinement of |
his city. And though it was in the Shadow
ion of the Brooks policy. The APPEAL is
Jealous OF the reputation of this city in the |
matter of theatricals; it wants the great |
actors and actresses, the great singers and |
musicians, TO know that there is a class of |
people here who can and will support the |
man bringing good attractions. Mr.. Booth |
shall bear witness of the truth. The APPEAL |
is glad that the people have done honor to
him. He has added the
ADMIR- ALTON OF ANOTHER CITY
to the list of his dramatic triumphs Last
night he appeared in Tom Taylor's play,
The Fools RereRgc, assuming the part of the /
iool, "Bertuccio." The audience present |
was thoroughly in sympathy with the actor.
The nature of that electric performance is
completely pictured elsewhere. The audi
iiastic than that present at the per-
iormance of RicheLieu. The grandly
.ragic situations OF the play were applauded
10 the echo; and as intensity followed in
.ensity, the audience was all enthusiasm.
Those present were heard to pronounce it the |
yrandest thing they had ever seen, and when
he curtain went down the audience recalled
he actor with the greatest enthusiasm, such
as bordered on wildness. 1t was the general
sentiment that it was the grandest perform
anee seen here Tor years,
IF EVER SURPASSED.
As for the actor he goes from US as the ideal |
ragedian. His performances will never be /
forgotten, and those who are now young will,
IN after wears, recall TO their children the |
of RiehelisH and The Fools Re
,enee. Never has an audience been so
unanimous and so enthusiastic in its
If Edwin Booth. The magnificent rendi-