The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-21
THE THEATRICAL SEASON.
JOSEPH JEFFERSON A SPECIAL AND
THE LAST ATTRACTION.
The Lesson OF the Season Has Been
Learned by the Management. and
When the Time Rolls Around Strong
Attractions win be the Rule.

The Memphis theatrical season of 1885,
1889 practically closed on the 18th instant,
with the engagement Of Milton Mobiles,
although the theater will reopen on
Wednesday next, for one night only, when
Joseph jefferson will appear In double
bill-"Cricket on the Hearth" and "Lend
Me Five Shillings."
The season did not open until the 18th OF
October, when Robert Downing appeared
In "Spartacus." The blockade troubles in
Alabama, Mississippi and other Suites
South in September, owing TO the cpl
demc scare, caused many travelling
dramatic and musical organizations who
had booked for Memphis to cancel their
engagements here and at other points
South, and all this materially interiered
with the program mapped out for the
Memphis theater by the manager, who
had to fiji up blank dates for some
two months succeeding tho open.
ing with whatever no could get to
change dates and come this way. The
list OF attractions given, however, con-
tanned many strong organizations, which
won popular favor and secured large
patronage After Robert Downing came
the following Wilson's Minstrcls, New
ton Beers's, Lost In London" Twelve
Temptations" Lights and Shadows"
Sol. Smith Russell, Estelle Clayton, Lillian
Lewis, "Streets OF New York." Eflie
Ellsler, "Na,ural Gas" Rose Coghan,
Lewis Morrison in "Fausl," ]. ~ En-.
NETT, Kate Castleton, Lost in New
York." "a Possible Case Company"
Fred Warde, Emma Abbott, Wilson's
Minstrels, Dixey and Adonis, The Little
Tycoon Opera Company the Rehan Com
edy Company, Marie lliliorde in "Theo-
DORA" Lolita, Jim, the Pcnman," ole,
She, Him, Her." Oliver d. Byron, James
and Wainwright, shadows of q Great
City," Selika Concert Company, Annie
PiXley, Cold Day Company, Boston Ideal
Opera Company, Milton Mobiles and Joe
Jefferson.
One OF the noticeable features OF the sea-
son was the large patronage given the the
alter by the people Of Memphis and sur
sounding country. When very strong
attraction appeared box parties were all
the 20, aud special thcator excursions
from neighboring towns were In order.
The public taste for theatricals has been
growing very rapidly in Memphis. and
has become highly educated, and particu-
LARRY 80 in the line Of operate music.
They did not have enough OF opera during
the season, and hungcrcd for more. The
| Boston Ideals could have sung through q
weeks engagement and 10 full houses,
instead oil Tor three nights. IL Is TO be
hoped that the Memphis rheater manage
mcnt will secure for next season n strong
list OF operate attractions. Ii was clearly
| demonstrated during the present season
| that poor companies, dramatic or musical,
fail TO secure any patronage after the flrsI
night while deserving organizations were
literally and generously supported regard
less OF the prices Of admission. The only
failure during the season on the part of the
public 10 sustain ilno attraction was in
the case Of the Rehan Comedy Company,
who presented "Nancy q Co." "7-90S."
end love In Harness in superior and
superb manner, and before bcggarly &C
count oi empty boxes. They deserved |
better iato here, alter playing a very sue
ccssful two weeks engagement IN New
Orleans, where hardly any dramatic or
ganlzation did a good business during the
season. Comedy did not strike the popu'
lar fancy at the timo. Take the season
now closing as an average one as TO nttrac
tons, IL is clear that q stronger and betiel
list, from which all weak, cheap com
panies are eliminated, should be secured
Tor the next season; the theaier will then
be patronizcd as never before.