The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-24
FIRsTOF THE AGONYOVE
NOW COMES THE SECOND PART, TO
BE BORNE BY THE PUBLIC.
Nearly All the Tickets for the Booth
and Barrett Engagement in the
Hands OF Spectators - Howl and
Suggestion from Nashville.

the spectators are loaded with tickets.
Nearly all the seats for each performance
blythe eminent tragic stars are pre-empted,
and can only be had at the rate OF from
$40 to SIS pair, as the holders express it.
1t is safe to say that not ten out Of the
hundreds Of liners bought for their own
use, or persons who really wanted to use
the tickets legitimately. The full limit Of
six for each performance was taken in
every instance, though in some cases this
was made up by an employee OF the theater
standing on the inside. He told an APPEAL
reporter that he had eight men in line,
who had cost him about $50 per day, and
was $500 ahead, with thirty tickets re-
manning. This speculator had partner,
and his plan OF operating on the inside was
to interrogate the party waiting for admis-
sion to the salesroom, and in case he did
not want the limit Of twenty-four, the
Spectator would take the remainder, de-
liver them TO his partner, and thus 1t
proved small sized gold mine.
Positions in line were valuable, provided
they were not too remote. For instance,
No. 93--for il seems there existed a mu-
W." oNiNNAANht ohohb viz VHbhb .bNt
was bought off the track for $40. There
was no uniformity about the price, how
~ over. One little darby considered himself
in big luck to scoop in 70 cents. The po-
sition Immediately in his rear sold for Sl5.
The thcater employe above referred TO
stated that he sold two OF his men in line
for 500.
Manager Frank Gray stated last night
that seats for every performance remained
unsod. They are not in the front row OF
the orchestra circle, though, nor in the
second, third or fourth rows. The sale by
MIR. Cray and his assistant, Mr.. Speers,
will continue for a short while this morn
ing. after which both can stand on the
corner and watch the way their SUCCESSORS
in that business coin money OIL an UNI
fortunate public. 1t can be truthiully
stated that Mr.. Gray deprecates the turn
matters take in cases OF this kind. OF
course he enjoys the novelty OF selling
every seat and all available standing room
In the theater, but he would prefer doing
80 10 the general public and patrons. lie
hoped by drawing the lines to limit OF
six would so lessen the evil Of exorbitant
speculation on the outside that there
would bo little chance for the people at
large TO be heavily victimized. This land
able desire on his part has not been real
lied; the tickets are held at an increase OF
over 100 per cent.
But Memphisis not without consolation,
derived from the fact that in her misery
she has company. At Nashville the same
state OF affairs exists, and in fact has pre-
vailed wherever the two great actors have
Appeared. The Nashville Banner bemoans
the fate of that city in the following re-
marks:
''The speculation In theater tickets is an
evil which should be prevented II there II
any possible way 10 do II. The result o
this unbridled speculation, rs illustrated
In the scramble for tickets 10 the Booth
and Barrett entertainments, is TO make the
regular patrons Of the theater-whose pat
ronagc 81 the less attractive shows through
out the season, sustains the management
pay tho forced and exorbitant prices fo
tickets on a special occasion. The specu
lstors get majority Of the best seats ant
the thcater-goes who should have ticket
nj the regulation price, are compelled e
stay away or pay outrageous prices which
place tremendous profits In the pockets o
those who have rushed in 10 make none!
by extortion. There ought to be some wa,
20 prevent this.
1T nsy be that those who engage II
these speculations to. extort big profit
out Of our people whose curiosity and dc
sire for entertainment overlap their pru
dcncc and good judgment, may be held
account for doing business without license
AZ any rate there should be devised som
means TO prevent such imposition upo
the public. The prices extorted by thes
ticket spcculators arc extravaglnty big
and comparatively few OF those who pa
them are really able 20 do 80. An entei
Attainment hntuaVaF attruaftNa
tify the the expenditure by young mar
who works for moderate salary. OF iroi
$40 70 $40 for two tickets Tor himse
and lady. Many men who could mo-
thoroughly enjoy the Booth and Barre
entertainment cannot afford 10 spend froI
sos To $50 20 take their families 10 ~
Hamlet presented on the stage. Y,
very many who are unable 20 afford III
expenditure, arc moved by their cagcrne,
10 avail themselves Of a rarc oppOrtunii
10 see famous actors portray Shakespeare
characters 10 do violence 10 their ow
judgments and submit 10 extortion
Tho money they spend for the enjo.
ment will be needed when the grocer
hills come In on the hrst Of the month. b.
the spectators are made happy with b
profits. The theater management &c
only ~. s2 and - for seats sold, viii
MNo bthN VI pun
and buy up the tickets get anywhere lrol
s. 20 so, or more. by every rule Of rigl
the patrons OF the thcater should get the
seats at the prices fixed by the manag
ment, which are high enough But d
patrons get badly feeced by the spec
latos.
at Ia difficult, though we think
should not be impossible. for the manag
incnt 10 prevent this 'corncring' Of thcat
tickets. The public, however, could NAL
IL risky for the spectators. We ha
heard Of one instance Of the cornerel
getting tho worst Of Il. In one Of u
northern towns the spcculaton made
rush and crush, and bought up all the be
seats for one Of McCullough's ontertai
menis. The legitimate buyers We
crowded out. and could only get tickC
by paying the exorbitant prices d
&. handed by the speculatoB The pu
lie, justly indignant, made up thu
minds that they would not submit 10 G
tortion, and, acting In concert, conclud
not 10 attend the Mccullough performant
The result was that on the day precedi
the evening Of the performance the 81
ply OF tickets In the hands OF the specu
tors 10 largely exceeded the demand, I
"corneres" were only tho glad 10 sell tiC
cts nj n loss OF 80 per cent, and then
not succeed in disposing Of them.
Nashyille thcatcr-goeB would make
their minds and bear the market th