The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1883-02-25
"ESMERALDA.n
An Interview About "a Theatrical Re.
form and Mrs. Burnett's Play.

\ HERALD reporter sought out Mr.. Marc
klaw, business manager of the Madison Square
'Esmeralda - Company, (Which performs at Ford 5
tomorrow evening" at the willard Hotel yesterday,
and applied the reportOrial pump with about the fol-
lowing effect. said Mr.. Klaw;
MIR, Marshall Mallory, the proprietor Of the
Madison Square Theatre impressed at the be-
ginning with the necessity Of radical reform in many
features of dramatic management. After consdera-
BILE thought and consultation with the highest
authorities on the subject, Mr. Mallory authorized
the engagement OF the most skiIlful architects
artists, and inventors In this country. The result
was the completion Of theatre with so many inno-
vdtions, inventions, and violations Of theatrical
not amazed at their inability TO foreell the
future of what they acknowledged to be the most
beautiful art temple in America. 1t Is doubtful II
any new enterprise is ever carried ont without dis
COuragements and accidents. The Madison Square
seemed destined to be the exception which proved
. this rule. Every newspaper man, as he re-
covered his presence of mind, predicted that the
double stage would not work for several months.
Yet that stage has been working smoothly and noise
lesly for four consecutive years and winter
aud not second delay accident has retarded
1t up to this day. Time is sure test for
aud the little Madison Square Theatre
has stood the test noby. The theatre has
never been closed two days in succession since 1t
first opened; consequently there has been oppOrtu
nifty for retouches and redecorating Yet the house
is as fresh and sweet and clean the day OF Its OPEN
ing, because 1t completed establishment before
/ its doors were ever opened to the public. And so
with its plays: they not served up half done
Weeks ana months OF valuable time are consumed In
rehearsas before the public is even notified of
play, and the management would no more dream OF
frst-night' roughness than would a master sculp-
tor put unhewn rock on exhibition represent
some classic image. That is the reason plays run
so long. They are thoroughly Tehearsed, carefully
mounted iudiciously acted, and supeThly stage
aged and business mandaged. Hazel hirke = ran
continuously to full houses for 4sG nights,
toyer one and half years. and 1t las
Just celebrated It's twenty-five hundreth per
/ fOrmauce. The Professor followed it, and scored
/ 2j7 nights before 1T left New York CITY. and
It has believe, passed its e-thousandth perform
ance. Esmeralda the third success of the the
atre and the most instantaneous success you ever
The name OF Frances HodgsOn- Burnett, Madi-
son Square, and that grand old comedian, John 4.
owens formed an attractive dramatic trinity which
theatre goers found utterly Irresistible. The EsmeT
aida Company is doubtless of the best balanced
casts We have. Just think OF John +. Owens, Annie
Russell, Charles WalCOt, Mrs. Charles Walcot Louise
DOn, and Kate Denim Wilson all banded together
In one company It's quite a rarity, tell you. In
the company which VIII present Esmeralda in
Washington next week will be found AT least half
dozen names which have already enjoyed regulations
stars. Esmerdlda : ran entire year ~ the
Madison Square Theatre, aud then taken of only
TO make room for Young Mrs Winthrop, which Is
now running there. The four hundred and ninety
second presentation of Esmerada takes place here
next Monday evening and you may then Judge Of its
merits yourself. -