Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-09

HltM WA Wilbur opera 20.
81 w WORLDS nys.yn.....,
Curiosities, etc.
The above are the theatrical attractions for
this week.
When Mr.. Harry Williams says that he will
build q new theater there is not the slightest
doubt about the outcome-the new theater will
be built Mr.. Williams said to me yesterday:
Il intend to build theater on the property of
which I am the lessee in time for the season Of
1881. and the only things that will prevent my
80 doing will be my death or bankruptcy. The
plans were drawn some time ago by Mr.. McEl-
fatrick, Of New York, the well-known archi-
tect These plans are for q theater with
depth of 80 feet and 90 feet wide.
having balcony and gallery, a floor level or a
little lower than the street, seats for 2600 peo.
pie and exits in abundance from all parts Of
the house. Before building which will begin
in March, 1881, these plans may undergo some
alterations. A feature Of the house will be the
staircase to the gallery. 1t will be perfectly
straight with no turns to prove death
sSs p' entrance. an oasf S Ss S5 sid. 5T RanG Side
Penn avenue. a separate one for each part Of
the house. The passage to the parquet will be
on level with the street. The theater will be
what is known as ground floor house. 1t will
private alley on one side of the house right on
the stage All the steam-heating and electric
Light apparatus the dressing rooms and the
scene painting room will be in q separate build
ing behind the stage, for which the unusual
depth of the lot will give ample room. The
house will be warmed with steam and lit with
electric lights.
~ have pretty well determined the prices
which will rule. There may be possibly hun
dred seats for which 81 so will be charged. The
other seats VIII range in price from Is cents to
with higher priced seats for those who want
them"
'Tintend," continued Mr.. Williams, ito play
the best attractions can get, and the best will
be obtainable do not doubt The management
will be entirely in my hands; had an offer
from an outsidl manager who wanted to lease
the house, but declined 1t, thinking there was
no reason why should not manage it myself.
There Is a need for new theater, and should
not undertake such project if l did not think
IL would be profitable.
when first got the property I contem-
plated building variety theater. but changed
my plans when saw the opportunity to build
hrst-class combination house. I shall retain
the Academy of Music, Of course. Circum-
stances may change certain details in my plans,
but my main object will always be to give Pitts
burg new hrst-claSs theater. At first thought
OF two-stoTy front for the theater, but guess
shall make it fou' stories now so as to &C
y did not decide to build until too late for
looking for the coming season, but shall be
ready by September, lS9l The extraordinary
growth of Pittsburg-of which we receive here
at the Academy evidences every day-con-
Vlnces me that it will be quite ready to support
anew theater by the time mine opens"
So
Pittsburgers are prone to think Of Mr.. WILL
Jams only as the manager Of a variety theater,
but he has had plenty of experience in the
higher walks of the drama He made his first
appearance on the stage at Norfolk, Va, Sep
tember u, 1853. Four years later he Joined
John I, Eord's stock company at the Holiday
street Theater at Baltimore. In 1865 he left
Baltimore and played in afterpieces only at
variety theaters in Washington and ever since
then has been connected with the variety
stage stage ae was was esteemed a good all.round
managers In the country. As for his reputation
as the manager of the Academy Of Music and
Of innumerable variety companies there is
hardly any need to speak. He is esteemed
throughout the country as the most honest
conscientious manager in the variety business
Trewey, the remarkable actor who was hero
recently with the Hermann's Varieties Trans
atlantiques, told me that the fame Of Mr..
Williams had extended TO England. II Pitts
burg Is TO have a new theater, it could not be
in better hands than Mr.. Williams.
Es#
The management of the Opera House and
Aronson's Opera Company did not lose any.
thing by giving THE Drum Major" at the two
performances yesterday, at both of which very
large audiences were present The opera made
a very good impression, hear on all sides, q
better one in fact than IL did in New York
strange to say. Not so strange either, for New
York audiences are caprlcious and notoriously
unjust In their verdicts upon comic opera
%sR
THE failure OF Richard Mansneld's ambi.
tious schemes is signally complete. He was
backed in his "Richard Ill" venture by the
wealthy drygoods firm Of Boston that has
always aided him. From this source he OBJ
tanned capital Of 100000 Every cent Of this
has been spent. and Mr.. Mansfield is now play.
ing under salary in . newly imported English
melodrama. 1t is very hard lines for the very
clever young actor, whose ambition has always
been worthy. He will be none the worse for
the failure, however, If he works hard toward
the top of his profession. His mistake was to
imagine that he could jump over his elders
and betters' heads by the use of gorgeous
scenery and an expensive company. Mr..
Mansfield was booked for the Grand Opera
Ages" will take his date-unless Dixey makes
up his mind to 60 to Boston for two weeks.
asS
The Aronson Opera Company have had
very successful engagement here. Pittsburg
has singled out Miss George DENIM as its par
ticular favorite, and that volatile and charm
ing young woman may expect a warm welcome
whenever she comes here. The ability of Mr.
Powers as an original low comedian has also
been recognized here. The beauty of Miss
Pauline Hall has long been appreciated in
Pittsburg The Aronson Company's success is
deserved in all ways.
80
As . farce comedy pure and simple "The
FAkir'' is Is good as such things need be. The
capital acting Of Messrs Morris, Seaman, and
the whole company in fact, won THE Fakir''
victory in Pittsburg. HEPBURN JOHNS.
The Programme.
AT the Bijou Theater for six nights and mat.
inees Wednesday and Saturday, beginning to-
morrow night, Monday will be played
William Gillette's great American drama,
''Held by the Enemy" This play, which has
met with brilliant success in England and Amer.