Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-02
A Talk with Mr.. Abbey.

A Tribune reporter saw Mr.. Abbey at the
Grand Operahouse after the FIRE was out
The manager wis quietly converting with
some of his employees, and giving directions
tickets TO the performances of Mrs. Langtry
next week
How will this affect your prospects for
Mrs. Langtry's season." asked the re porter
81 do not think that il will do any HARM
We are very sorry 10 disappoint the public,
but presume every one will see that we can
not help it."
"What do you Loser"
"PretIy much everything in the interior
OF the theater was mine. i put in tie chairs,
the box-hangings, the scenery, the proper
ties, etc. | had lately fitted up my own pri-
vale Office at a cost OF $1,000, and L think it
wAS tho hanhsnmest The alter Office in the
country. My losses will amount in all, in
Guiding very large and fine wardrobe 10
about 100000. l was insured for SIC, 500.
Two years sgo l thought of doubling The
amount, but the rates on theatrical prop
eriy were so high that l abandoned the
idea"
Have you spent much in altering and re-
pairing the houseT
"Yes; expended $4,000 year ago and
$1,000 this year. By the way, you might
make a note of the fact that great many
manuscript plays have probably been de-
stroyed, but l don't grieve much over them"
What arrangements have you made for
Mrs. Langtry's performancesw
"She will open on Monday evening next,
at Wallack's. Mrs. Langtry will have four
weeks in this city instead OF two. At any
rate she will have two weeks at Wallack's.
| have made arrangements 10 give TO all per-
soSs who have bought seats for the first
week at the Park fortunately there we're
none bought for the second), corresponding
seats in Wallsck's for each night. Many
will thus get better seats than they would
have had at the Park"
"Were you in the theater when the fire
broke out?"
''No; had been down town 10 buy a chan
delier, which was to be put in my Office.
You know had arranged to have that used
as lady's retiring room during Mrs. Lang
try's engagement. When L was returning
from that errand [ saw the smoke, and in a
moment / knew what was wrong.
SIN company with Marcus Mayer, nv bus
iuess agent for Mrs. Langtry, ran to the
thezter AMI endeavored 10 enter it, but was
driven back by smoke and flames. ] re-
treated to the street and watched the scene of
destruction. Suddenly l remem bered the
poor little woman vino must have been gazing
upon the same scene from her windows in
the Albemarls, so went there"
"Was Mrs. Lanstry much excited?"
mot exactly. She was naturally nervous
and terribly disappointed. But, 10 tell the
truth, she seemed to feel more for me than
for herself. She grieved greatly at my
Losses"
''Did she lose her dressesw
'No; she lost nothing. She lived SO near
by that she had sent nothing of her ward
robe to the theater. The ladies of the COM
pany lost all the dresses which they were to
wear. Mrs. Langtry telegraphed to her hus-
band and her mother. She will remain
quietly in this city until next Monday, when
she will make the debut so unfortunately
postponed"
"Have you any idea how the ere origin
ated?"
81 do not know how it began. Some men
were at work trimming the curtains OF the
private boxes with lace, and they had lam
tern, which my have set the lace on fire."
"Whst caused the explosions?"
'They came from the bursting of the tanks
containing gas for the calcium lights TO be
used on the stage"
twill the theater be rebuilt?"
81 think it not probable that it will ever
be rebuilt as theater, Property is Ieo val
liable in that neigh borhood, and heard some
store there"
How long have you been the manager of
this theater?'
"This is the beginning of my seventh sea-
sou. 1 opened the house on November 81,
1876. My lease had a year to run from
next spring, with the privilege OF renewal 90
long as the building remained theater."
"Have you had any offers made by other |
"On, yes. Mr.. Stetson wished to make an |
arrangement with me to take the alternate |
nights with Salvini, but did not care to do |
that. He then told me to draw on him for |
all the money I might need. Mr.. Palmer, |
Of the Union Square, having no perform
ance tonight, offered me the use of his the |
alter. ! did not think it advisable to accept |
he kind offer, although ! expected TO count |
lp $1,000 as the receipts of to-nighps per-
ormance"