The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-14
A THEATRICAL ROW.
Trouble Between Dixey and His Managers
Ingenious Methods of Advertising.

Trouble Between Dixey and His Managers
Ingenious Methods of Advertising.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
New YORK. March 13-The astonishing run
of "Adonis." in this city, ends at last in big
raw During the year and a half that the bur-
lesque has been performed at the Bijou Opera
house the profits have most Of the time been
large though spells of light business
have not been unknown but alto
eether the clearance is understood to have
been not less than 800 OOO for the expenses of
burlesque are much less than those of other
forms of the drama, the salaries of girl burlesq-
uers ranging low. The trouble and breakup
of "Adonis" arise from an overabundance of
business partners. Capital was scarce at the
outset. and it was with much difficulty that the
enterprise was started at all. Henry E. Dixey
had graduated promisingly from variety into
burlesque, and was ambitious to become star.
He was willing to contribute his services. Ed
ward E. Rice was bankrupt, with debtors
troublesome, but he offered to put in the come
lest lot of girls that could be procured,
and to provide the piece, "Adonis" which
had been written on his order by William Gill.
He also gave some money, but in order to raise
it he had to let in Isaac B. Rich, his father-in-
law, as limited partner. Miles & Barton, the
lessees of the Bijou, were in litigation with the
owner James, who had undertaken to disposses
them. But they could arrange to place the
that cash was raised by John Donnelly, acting
manager of the Bijou. This pool made six part
ners Success depended largely on blooming
Dixev," and that was done with such ingenuity.
perseverance and success as has been unknown
in the amusement trade Dixey volunteered for
every benefit matinee, his fine ability as mimic
making him always valuable for such purposes.
He appeared, whenever opportunity offered, at
club receptions where his Rotations made him
welcome. He did a vast number of funny
things in hotels, cafes and the street so cleverly
that they could readily be got in the newspapers,
and by these methods popularity unprecedent
ed for any other comedian in New York was
worked up for him. Lately, when the partner
ship contract grew near to expiration, the diff
culties of renewing it became enormous.
Dixey demanded lions share on
whole show. Miles e. Barton possessed the the
alter. however, and would not concede anything.
Rice started a rival show by producing his
"Evangeline" at another theater. with prettier
girls than he employed in sAdonis." By way Of
retaliation, Miles & Barton copied his costumes.
marches and other features, and reproduced
them in Oxygen" by the Lydia Thompson
company, which they employ. Abuse and re-
tort have been very venomous. The upshot Is a
general disruption. Nat Goodwin has been en-
gagged to take the place of Dixey as chief enter
tainer at the Biiou. Rice has renewed his lease
on the Fourteenth-street theater for burlesaue,
and will probably undertake to develop Tim
Murphy now a variety man, but deemed to pos
sess great latent ability as mimic Dixey will
not leave the field to these antagonists, but has
already negotiated for control of the Standard.
of July. On and after next Sept l. New York
will have three contestants for that adulation
which for season has been conferred on DiXey,
and burlesQue will be plenty.