New-York tribune., 1886-08-08
CHAT ABOUT THE THEATRES
RAYMOND. MANSFIELD. GILLETTE AND


OTHERS-MINSTRELS IN NEW-YORK.
John r. Raymond appeared once more on Broadway
| at the end Of last week. looking cool and mpencrabe
az ever while he iinged in his pocket those COINS
which he is po2uarly supposed to DC ever ready to
bring down vcnicnt polished surface with
| a slap as he matches" anybody for nythng. But
| sir. Raymond has at present something better to do
with his time than to indulge this probably mythical
| fancy lie is endeavoring to secure New-iork
theatre for the production of his play which was
recently brought ont in Denver. THE play" said Mr.
Raymond, met with such undenable success that
feel justified in predicting favorable reception for
| it in York Indeed l have never tst so
thoroughly satisfied with any play at an initial per-
formapce 1t is called The Woman Halter and Is Ivy
d. ID. Lloyd, formerly well known Washington
correspondent and the author of another of my plays
For Congress- which has been thoroughly pleasing
to the public everywhere. i produced the new play
last week in Denver at the close OF season OF forty
seven weeks which | glad to say has been
| throughout successful and prosperous. In San
Francisco we did surprisingly WELL and despite the
unusual length of my season there but few poor
enga gcmcnts played. am feeling strong and in good
spirits and quite ready TO begin work again at once
! should it be necessary" From other sources Mr.
Raymond's well known modesy fofbiddng his enter
ing into details it was learned that the San Francisco
engagement had indeed been uncommonly prosperous
lie opened in - The Magstrate.' pincros comedy.
played here by Mr. Days company. and on the third
night campstools had to be placed in the aisles ny
some of his critics his said To be- primarily
due to the play. but when he withdrew ii and put
ON others OF his repertory falling oil in the business
was oil scrvable aud he finished by playing Colonel
llers to packed houses for week. 1t is possible
that Mr. Lloyds new play vii; be shortly.
Tomorrow begins the last week of RchaUl
Mansfcid's season at tho Madison Square Theatre.
Thinking at first that with good luck he might play
threa weeks to a profit Mr.. Mansfield has played for
over three months 10 audiences which. never small
have often been extremely large. That the credit III
this case must be in large due TO the yonng
comedian is uudenabe. ior ;he play At the first pro-
dnciion hardly received win favor by III public
and even after the udcious alterations it received at
Mr. Mansields hands il ia more the character than
the farce which is commended The play was written
some years ago for. III stage vernacular. Dutch
comedian" hut seemed TO offer TO Mr.. Mansfield
setting fo- the quaint odd type he has given in
prince Karl. He will now reap the reward OF his
hard and laborous season. ior it is generally
thought that his the road will he immediate
| and mplce. Since his first appearance at the old
STANDARD Theatre IN subordinate part IN not par
ticularly successful opera nearly five years aS"
Monsheld has experienced many ups and downs. IIc
made a startling mclodramatic success as "Chevual
aud has played i'll milk and water comedy ~ good
young lover lie has STARED with disastrous
results and has played with more or less success IN bad
lmrlcsonc and good comic opera. Now he seems TO
have reached that goal Of every young actors ambition
and has proved that he possesses that capicy to draw
which separates the star roui the stock actor In one
thing be has shown wisdom He has engaged for tho
coming season two experienced managers 10 look
after hi- business interests Edward ircc' who VII
travel with him. of the best known men IN the
business. For the la-t year he has dropped out OF
Eastern sight. he has been managing ioi Mckee
Rankin in the California Theatre Before this.
however he was chiefly known A. John McCullougI-
maus2 Mr. Price was originally a lonrn'l'"' Mr:
MoInnry. who will travel in advance of Prince Karl
il also well known. aud last year looked alter the
interests of Mile. Rbea.
The coming dusky star who is going to give New
York constant supply Of burnt cork and mn-trelsy.
Levi, Dockstsdcr though energetic young man.
finds his cn-rgy pretty we'll tasked at present When
Mr. Sddal, OF Philadelphia. took the Comedy Theatre,
he teegraphel young Dockstader thai.he wanted hun
to manage it. instructed him 10 make all necessary
improvements. and few hours after was on hi, way
to Europe Tho cntro burden OF looking after work
men and decorators. securing company and making
| II the necessary arrangements for season which
opcn- the future, fell iJoc' 'sti'cr shoul-
dcrs They apparently strong enough to bear it,
said that everything Is going in entirely
satisfactory manner. though Of course the yonng
stre,s managerial abilities will not be- tcstcd ill
! the season begins Speaking of those who
declare that the days Of % "acees" in m'nst'.lsy
day: THAT Ia an utter mistake. There are Mt
present ne less than seven companies permanently
srttcd in cities throughout the country and
surely New York can support one also. On the road
there are fifteen recognzcd companies OF good stand
| ing and innumcraoIe smaller ones which you III
| New York never hear oi. ! notice. however that
when good company does come here II Is invariably
| succe s-ful. think that nretty little theatre,
occupied by a we'll selected company and Offering only
| as localized
local taste ought to do at least as we'll these
| wandering companies. Anyhow shall do my best"
| MI. Gillettes play which is to follow Prince
Kari at the Madison Square Theatre. Is said by the
| author to be tho strongcst play with an American
| motive that has ever been written SO firm IL Mr..
| Gllettos faith in " Held by the Enemy" as it Is
| entitled that no is said To have declared himself
entirely indifferent to newspaper notics Of any sort,
holding that tho production itself will be remark
able that the pablc will be forced TO TO tho
theatre see it, Hints OF tho surpassDg beauty of
sccnery and the strength Of the east have for weeks
been allowed to escape here and there by Mr Gillette
and his assistants. but otherwise the chef Of
information seemed to be in the display Of elaborate
Autographs all the city. That Mr.. Gilottc really
beoves his play IL shown by his reported decliH-
ton Of $1,000 for two weeks Of his time from Mr.
Mansfield 1t IL learned that the alleged phenom
't VII n.r1ss ssas na n HAy MH''c The @%'S n
has been before in Brook yn and Fhla ephia II
| treats Of Incident Of ths Civil War One Of the
great situations said to consist of the attempted
escape Of prisoner. sentenced to death spv by
the fegning of death. The spurious corpse however.
il stopped and an examination nsis ed upon when it
discovered thai the excitement has really killed tho
man and from a sham lc has become reality. Comic
interest is lent bv a soldier who wins his swecthcarts
sympathes and affections by prctendIn ny TO have lost
| his arm lie eventually shocks her aud ruins his
chances by 6oIrshng the missing member in q
| mOmcut of excitement
Colonel Joun A. McCaull is expected to arrive here
this morning. bringing with him plenty Of news as
well as the manuscript and score Of more than
new opera Not the least interesting part of bs pudg