The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-28
" COME, LET US REASON"
FRIENDLY SUGGESTIONS FOR THE
GRAND oPERA-HousE PROFILE.
A shrewd and Experienced Mind Points
Doubling Finger at the Ground Floor
Plans OF the Institution, and Also the
Reservation OF Private Boxes.

1t is all essential that the Grand Opera
House, now an assured fact barring Prov
idential interference, be properly con-
structed, and managed skillfully after be-
ing thrown open TO the public.
There is no reason TO suppose the stock
holders do not earnestly desire and intend
80 conducting their valuable property.
The following communication may prove
oil great interest and value TO the gentle
men, /: being based upon TuE APPEALS
{ interview with Col. William NJ. Earring
ton in yesterdays issue:
70 the Editor OF The Appeal;
Reading your interview yesterday with
the committee in reference to building the
new theater, desire TO say few words,
as am greatly interested in seeing an
other theater here. We need 1t badly.
At the present time, during the theatrical
season, great many fine combinations
cannot be engaged for Memphis for the
want OF place, our present theater having
all dates for the season filed, vacancy
only occurring by accident.
] see the gentlemen are going to recon.
mend building a iheater with business
houses on the ground floor. In my hum
BILE judgment IL will be q serious mistake
and work 10 the disadvantage of the thea
ter. A theater should be built on the
ground floor for convenience aud for the
safety OF the public. Tho entrance could
be In the center with business houses on
either side aud the thcater proper be
thrown In the rear. but let II be on tho
ground floor.
The terrible Ere in the Brooklyn Thea.
ter, few years ago, and the Opera
Comiquc in Paris last ear, where 80 many
lives were lost, is still fresh in tho minds
OF tho public. Neither one OF these thea.
tors were on the ground floor.
The next important feature arises In re.
gard 10 the stockholders' twenty-five pri.
waite boxes, which are 10 be held by them
, free OF charge. Tho gentlemen have not
thought OF the probable disastrous result
OF the move. II will give free member
ship list nightly Of fifty persons, outside Of
those who must DO admitted through the
regular business OF the theator. II Is n
hazardous compliment the stockholders |
are paying themselves, their beautiful |
theater they propose erecting and the 70. |
spectacle companies they propose having |
appear, 20 state, ITO retain and occupy |
those boxes will be an assurance 10 tho |
public OF a respectable attendance" II il
well understood that they are not putting
up variety house" The mere names
OF the gentlemen connected with the en-.
tcrprise give II the highest responsibility.
without them being seated In those
boxes, free OF charge. In the event
that tho stockholders run the thcaler,
they will discover at the end Of the iirst
season, how dearly they have paid for
their boxes on the system named. They
are, perhaps, not aware that either frst
class company will not play In their house
or charge them per cent more than they
would otherwise. AZ business men, who
want to invest their money 10 bear fair
percentage, let them calculate . per cent.
OF the receipts nightly during a season Of
SIX months. and see what the boxes cost
them and how they reduce the percentage
on their investment The calculation Is
based upon presumption that the stock
holders will run H. They may ray they
Rfn lease tho thcatcr. Very good. IN
axe Il FROM that standpoint A manager
will think twice before taking hold Of n
house with such freq list attached. lie.
sides having 20 pay high rent, he would
have 10 pay per cent OF the nightly re-
ccipts Tor the amusement Of the stockhold.
ors. Making the calculation on season Of /
ak months or twcnty-six weeks, would /
be $500 per week; total for ak months,
1850. One who n not fully yer-cd la the |
business may take hold. but Il will ouly DO |
question oil time. and shortat thf.<eben |
he'll let loose. II will prove J.<.etfous TO |
both sides
Al tho Academy o. Music" In New
\ ork. the siockholds,s boxes were the |
homo Of contention and finally broke Il up.
Ihas sano Thing has caused trouble IN |
Fnshyille. II New York. with iis millions,
could not successfully handle the case.
how can Memphis stand the enormous
amount Of twenty-five boxcs7
Now Is the time 10 consider these mat. |
ierA II properly built, and run on husi. |
noes principles. u will pay. ain anxious |
for the new theatcr, and will do all In my |
humble way 10 bring fine attractions II / |
can secure dates. OF ! am willing and |
ready 10 lease the thcatcr for a term OF ten |
years, II the FREQ box clause IL left out. !
have In my possession At the present time
letter Offering me, for next season.
Theodore Thomas Orchestra with Joscily,
strauss Orchestra, the Juch Opcm Com.
pany and tho Campanini-W Whitney Opera
Concert Company, aud mus, PROBABLY ~.
icct them all. az there Il no place 10 put