The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-01-16
LANGTRY'S BIG PROFITS.
Over 600, 900 Thus Far Received
From Her Eastern Engagement
Successful Stars Financially Con-
trasted-Bernhar
Popularity.
New York Sta

New \ ofk Sta
Americans are, and always have
been, a theatre-going people. Ever
when the nation was 10 the throes of &
great civil war the theatres were
crowded. Indeed, the foundations ot
MANY theatrical fortunes were laid
during those troubious times, and il
was then that the prices of admission
TO places of amusement were advanced
and the reserved seat principle iusti
tu'ed. 1t was in 1864 that Edwin
Booth appeared in Hamlet" for one
hundred consecutive performances at
the Winter Garden, and on almost
every occasion TO large and paying
houses. Spectacle, burlesque and do-
mestic drama were to be seen at the
other theatres. The people seemed to
wish to drown all thought of the nor
rers through which the country was
passing inlthe light and glitter of the
playhouse. Not only this. but large
fortunes were being made, money was
plentiful, and, in the extravagance of
the hour, the theatres came in for a
full share of the wealth that was being
30 loosely scattered broadcast 1t was
at this time, too, that actors began to
receive the high salaries that have
since continued, and, altogether, the
war brought in new era for the play
er and the playhouse But it must
not be thought that there bad not been
large receipts at the theatres before
this. So far back as the time
when Edwin Forrest returned from
his second trip to England he played
to 81, 500 and $4,000 houses and
prices were lower then than they are
now-and his tour through the coun-
try was like a grand triumphal pro-
gress, in which he won artistic renOwn
and financial recognition. He died
rich man, and would have died much
richer had he not frittered away the
latter years of his life. Charlotte
Cushman also amassed a fortune by
her profession, even although she had
many dependent upon her bounty.
The author and managers of "The
Black Crook" all became rich through
theproductiou of that spectacle, and
although III. G. Jarrett, the only sur
viving partner, may have lost money
in other speculations, he is winning it
all back in the absurditv called Fun
on the Bristol" Fritz" brought in
ever 500 600 each for j. X. Emmett,
the actor, and Charles Gayler, the au-
thor, in little over a year. M. B.
Curtis might retire from business
very comfortably on the profits of
'Sam1 of Posen," and the same can
be said of Denman Thompson and
Joshua WhitcOmb." When the
"fvo Orphans" was produced at the
Union Square Theatre it ran for 179
performances, and the gross receipts
were 1926, 5OO.50.: At the first revi-
val forty-eight performances were Civ
en-, and the receipts were SAT 1886. 25. |
The second revival consisted of twen-
ty-one performances, and the receipts
were SIC. 1880. making a grand to.
tai at the Union Square Theatre alone
Of $3.50. $780, 5, and the receipts in
other places and at other theaters must
foot up an even larger amount. The
receipts for the lights . London"
which was performed at the same
house 1874 times. were s123,i99.2o.
These facts and figures are convincing
lndices that vast sum of money is
spent every year in theatrical amuse-
ment, and there is not much wonder
that foreign actors look to America a.
. sort of new Golconda where they
will reap golden harvest.
The latest importation is. Mrs.
[angtry, aud although the critics have,
in the majority of instances, handled
her without gloves and her indiscreets
have brought her into far
more notOriety, Deither she nor her
has reason to complain of
he substantial patronage that has
'een accorded her. Mr.. Abbey ap-
,elrs to hsve secured the monopoly of
oreign artists, and it is estimated that
vhen he comes t. balance his books
It the end of the season he will find ,
himself with clear profit of s. SO, 900 ,
o his credit. For the purpose of ascer-
aiming the receipts of some of the ,
notable foreign artists who have come
o this country. Star reporter called 3
t the Grand Opera-house, where w. !
". Tillotson. the acting manager, !
vas found. MIR. Tillotson commenced :
lis theatrical career as office boy for ;
arrett Il Palmer, and. by plodding j
ndustry, has attained the position Of q
manager and the possession of a dia-
,ond scarf-pin. What "Tilr does 4
ot know about the box office working
n FL cofor io hord1xy ~,o.tL .