New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-07
PUBLIC COMMENT,
RESERvING SEATS IN THEATRES.
ths -Edfkor ofThe Trfbune

To the 1Edttor Of The Tribune
SIR: In THE TRIBUNE of September 49, I
noticed an article saying that Walack first Instituted
system Of reservng advance at his old theatre
in Broadway. This assuredy is O mistake. Many
times have I engaged seats at the old Park Theatre,
which passed out Of existence before Wallscks came
in. At the Bowery Theatre have also secured seats
10 advance early 1883, and on one Of It's bills,
dated January 20. 1927 is the following; "The
box book ia now open and seats may DO
secured"-for entertainment to take place
several days afterwsrd-and adding; "The pit
seats finished with backs and cushioned Tho
box Office is open every day. except Sundays, from 10
a. m until l p. m. aud from until 5p. No."
We had separate chairs with numbers at that time,
and no seats were reserved in the pit where gente-
men only entered but the dress first circle of boxes
was divided into sections boxes which number
ed and seats could be secured in advance the first
second third ETC., benches In those boxes and several
private boxes in the second tier could also be engaged
as well as the so-caled stage boxes The doors the
boxes fastened by spring lock, readily opened
the inside by the occupants but to be entered from the
lobby only by the key of the box.keeper. who
at the Park was surly old fellow named
Il think) Ash, on whom "quarter" would sometimes
have quite modifying influence and induce the point
ine out Of desirable seats that remained unoccuped If
one happened to be late with places unsecured
At this time extra charge made for reserving
seats
ing that although the boxes numbered the
the benches therein not and some OF them
would hold six persons, and occasionally apary
of would arrive at the theatre first and take posses
sion Of the central seats bench ana refuse TO move
toward either end when a party OF four who had en-
gagged the remainder of the bench arrived and wished to
sit together, sometimes causing much loud talking ana
expostuatlon, and at other times a separation OF the
party for an entire evening.
am quite doubtful, too, whether Mr. Walack was tie
first to introduce cushioned chairs in the parquet
parterre, as Mr.. r. White insists it should be caed)
for Mr. Burton i'll his Chambers Street Theatre bills for
September, 1850, announces "orchestra seats with
cushioned aym.chars" including several nearest
the orchestra, which two years before Mr. Waack
managed his Broadway Theatre.
AS to engaging seats in advance. the custom
mencsd at very early period OF the dramas existence
in New York as you may see by the accompanying sheet
OF extracts taken from the bottom OF old bills In my
possession; in fact also have leaf from the old box
ed ApT l. isS for the last night but four Of Mrs
BARLEY and Mr.. Waack's engagement on which some
city Yours very truly JML
10. 3s9 Staie.St, Bridgeport, Conn, oe. 4, 1888
Extracts from old New.York play bills relative to
securing seats in advance at the theatres
Theatre in Chapel, Beekman-st-" Places in the
boxes 70 DO taken Of Mr. Douglass at Mr. Hampton's.
Johnst, December T. i767-' Places in the boxe,
be taken OF Mr. BrOadOet at the stage door LADIES'
will please send their servants 10 keep their places al
O'clock To begin exactly at 81
Johu.st, November 81 17S5.-"Places in the boxes
may taken of MrDelamater at the box lobby, every
day from 10 to II in the forenoon ana from to III the
John-st February 1796-"A report having been
circulated that number OF places less than whole
box could be taken, the manager begs leave 70 inform
ladies and gentlemen there is no such rule existing"
Park Theatre, first opening, January 20, l79S.-PlaceS
will let every day the old Office in JOhn-st by Mr..
Faulkner from ~ to l. and Oh the playsday from 3to4
PARK October 10, 1903" Hours Of box office from
TO l on non-pay days, and from till O'clock play
days. Performances then took place only three or four
Chatham Garden Theatre, July 10, 1924" Seats may
be secured on application at tue box once during the
day"
box book Open where seats may be secured. All
places taken will be secured to the owner during tho
whole performance ana NOT as customary only un the
Italian Opera House. corner Church and Leonard sts,
March T. 1885" Sofa balcony, stall aud box seats can
be secured at AtvilPs Music saloon. POI Broadway"
Franklin Theatre september 1850" Box ONCE open
old National. late italian Opera House. May 1897
Flynn willard anagersl-" Places and private boxes
TO be secured at the office every day from 10 a. H. to
Old National, walack, manager, late l. Opera
HOuse.-"Ths box sheet is open for the week"
Mitcheps Olympic during a revival OF camille"
October. 10, 1872" Gentlemen visiting this theatre
with ladies during the OF the opera Will avoid all de-
lay annoyance arising from the crowded state u the
house by securing their seats or private the
day the box office, which Is open from 10 TILL H."
BurtOns, July TO- lS4S-"rhe box book IS now Open"
Aston Opera House, when leased By Nlbl0, June u,
1s4S, and previous bills " fhe ticket ONCE place
viii opened saturday 3D. inst, when the boxes in
first and second tiers (ot FOUR eight and ten seats
EACH may be secured from $3.50 until =. NJ, aud
from to p. daily" Nibopreylously in his Garden
Theatre had no reserved seats