Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-07-15
LETTER FROM NEW YORK.
Theafers and Theatrical Matters
Managers and Their Ways-FHaverIy,
Abbey. DAILY, &C.. DC.


greatest theatrical manager we ever had, and his
name had become a household word. But where is
he now? In Europe. What has become OF his i'm
menSe enterprises? Nearly all closed up or sold
out He had three Of the biggest theaters In New
York-the Fifth Avenue, Niblo's Garden theater.
and the Fourteenth Street house. Now he has
only part interest in the last and least of the
three. He has no longer the control of the thea
San Francisco, and all OF his enterprises had been
long disbanded, except the Georgia Minstrel
man, and Havery is absolutely Without an attrac-
ton. When he went away he made over all OF his
business to J. B. Mcconnell, of Chicago, and that
gentleman began at once to lop OFF and cut down
on all sides. According to his story, Mr.. Hav-
eriy, though directing and partly owning nine
of the most important theaters in America,
and running five immense travelling attrac-
tons, was actually losing money, but did
not know 1t. He made monstrOus splurge;
fences OF the country. his picture was pasted every
where, and he was spoken OF everywhere as the
greatest manager of the time, and yet he was con-
stantly sinking deeper and deeper 1t would seem
as though Mr.. Haverly did not know his own posi-
ton at all, for he believed himself in good financial
was convinced finally by the logic OF Mr. Neon
nells figures. He owed that gentleman great
many thousand dollars, which, probably, made
But Havery went away In good spirits. He was
given grand farewell when he sailed. The
on the day that She carried ssCol" Haverly abroad.
All the theatrical people OF the city were there,
including a band OF q hundred pieces made up
from Haverly's combined orchestra, and led by his
big drum-major in full uniform. They played a
march entitled 'sThe Haverly Farewell" and the
steamer was filled with the managers friends. He
went about among them, taking each hand in both
OF his. Strangers wondered who this little and
MISUNDERSTANDING man was who wandered
and his ulster turned up In the neck, and shook
hands with hundreds OF people, calling nearly
all by taei first mes He was
ing handkerchiefs as he sailed away. l wonder
how many Of these same people will go down to
meet him when he returnsi
Some people claim tho he was too kind hearted;
that he felt such an aversion to dsbanding any Of
hts organizations for fear of leaving his people out
in the cold, that he would keep thems~Ong and
make the more successful ventures tributary to
their support Againit was said that he was too
began to run behind. For instance take the
Brooklyn theater He made up his mind that it
would pay to erect an entirely new structure over
the spot where the awful casualty occurred q few
years ago. Friends tried to dissuade him, and
pointed out that it was not good place for a the
alter, aside from its horrible associations: but he
went right on AMI put up costly building, and
opened It with immense ecLdt. All season long he
made herculean efforts to draw the Brooklyn
house. He played the most expensive stars, one
after the other, but they could not draw and the
house closed after most disastrous season. The
other theaters in the same city, though far infe-
r1or. made lots OF money. He also his 'Strat-
egi5ts' company in the face Of inevitable failure,
and when demonstrated with insisted on keeping
tgong as an advertisement for his name Indeed
his name was everywhere. 1t is possible that he
p mSn have msre kept things going he mad
siderable money in California mines and
always believed that it would pan out largely. In
fact he was in the habit OF speaking of his
theatrical speculat1ons as OF no consequence, be-
side his mining Investments; but events have
proved that he was too sanguine about what the
earth was to give him. 1t is pity to loose man
OF Mr.. Haverly's good nature and warm hearted
ness. from the ranks OF managers, most OF whom
are more like sharks than men. Not that we have
had. don't place any credence in the elaborate
story he just had cabled across about the 'Great
few people do believe in it, It has been tried before,
and was always failure. This one Is, according
to the cable, to have capital of several million
dollars, with paid staff and Mr.. Haverly as
director 1t is to get its capital from spectators,
who no, viii get paid in large diyIdends-perhaps.
self, is 1t likely that he can make them for other
people? Besides it is not possible to get all the
talent In the country under one mans control.
Theatrical folk are peculiar, and always will be,
and the man who attempts to speculate in them
as he would in tea or sugar. is laying the way for
swift demolition OF his fortune
CHANGES OF STYLES.
The whole system OF theatrical affairs has been
changed. Every one remembers when there was
a stock company in every town OF any size, and
travelling combinations were a rarity The legi-
innate dramas were given then. and dramatic
affairs moved In quiet channels Nov everything
is changed All is hustle and rush, and the new
idea has driven cut the Old only three theaters
In New York-Wallacks, the Union Square and
ralys-haye regular stock companies, and these
usually go the road at the end Of the season for
short time. The number OF travelling combina-
tons Is put by theatrical agents, who book their
ment viii surprise many people. The Old school
of managers is disappearing with the Old system,
and busy, busting and active men are taking
their places About all the modern manager OF
combination has to do Is to get dates and keep his
people in railroad tickets, but 1t takes lively man
to do that nowadays. The managers and owners
OF provincial theaterS have learned a thing or
two by experience, and poor combinations cannot
book themselves everywhere, as formerly. The
combination system has given birth TO what may
be termed
MoNoPoLIsTs IN THE DRAMATIC WORLD.
The firm OF Brooks & Dickson for instance con-
trols vast deal OF the theatrical business of
America, and can dictate its terms to local man.
ayers with confidence. The firm has made an
enormous amount OF money. 1t thinks nothing OF
paying $10,00O In cash for single play before it
has been produced before any audience. The fact
that the play was written by the author Of the
Lights o. London" and "The World" is enough
for BROOKS Dickson, because they cleared $50 900
On the first and more than 100000 on the second
OF these plays last season. They own and control
twenty-three theaters In the twenty-three prln-
cipal cities OF America. except New York, and
have interests In other houses. Then they have
number OF combinations, all OF firstclaSs talent,
which they send over the country. They control
so many houses that they can virtually manage
the market themselves. II theater doesn't give
them the terms and time they ask. none OF their
combinations will play there, and their influence
W
at once, for the firm has some OF the best cOmbina
lions on the road, and every manager is anxious
to secure them. Thus they monopoitze the attrac-
lions and theaters.
SINGLE ATTRACTION MAN.
Another and entirely distinct type OF manager
is Henry Z. Abbey He has succeeded marvelously
so far in the opposite course from the Haverly
pursued. He did not attempt to get number OF
enterprises under way, but devoted himself to ST.
curing the greatest attractions OF Europe for
American tours. He brought Salvinf, when no
one else could get him; he got Bernhardt, when
everyone else had failed; he made PATHS trip in
America tr1umphal march, and he has now Sc
cured Mrs. Langtry and Henry Irving. He gets
them by Offering and giving security for tremen-
dous percentages. have often wondered how he
could make money, and don't believe he does
make much; but he Is certainly successful Thus
far he has failed In his negotiations with the great
Nilsson, but that was not to his diScredit, she Is
proverbially difficult person to get along with.
No less than seven American managers crossed
the water to secure Mrs Langtry. but they couldn't
get word with the naughty beauty. Abbey, with
his customary ShrewdneSs, went to LabOuchere,
the editor OF the London Truth, who is Mrs. Lang
trys adviser. and laid his check-boOk before him.
The result was that he secured the famous beauty.
How he prevailed upon Mr.. Irving and Miss Ellen
Terry to come Is hard to divine: but they are COM
Ing In "a, and with them comes the entire COM
pany OF the Lyceum Theater in London and nearly
all or the scenery. The last objection that Mr..
Irving made to visiting America was that he would
hnrn To ynoyrr Ia