Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-30
A NEW PLAY HOUSE
Assured for Pittsburg Patron.
age Next Season.
THE PAPERS ALL SIGNED
And the Duquesne Theater Will Re-
place Jackman's Stable.
PLANS OF MANAGER HENDERSON


the Windy City, the latter the owner of the
huge stable on Penn avenue-had come to
terms, and that the Chicagoan had signed a
lease for ten years, and would commence to
transform the stable into a metropolitan
theater within 30 days. With the opening
assured for next fall, and the certainty of a
frst-class theater, the play-going Pitts
burgers have reason TO congratulate them
selves.
So far as the public is concerned the news
was the more welcome, lnasmuch as for ten
long years the new theater rumor had per-
ennially, almost diurnally, bobbed up and
duly petered out. There was some pardon
able incredulity expressed, soon. however,
ailayed by the exhibition of the papers.
signed, scaled and delivered.
THE DUQUEsNE THEATER.
With such a manager at the wheel as
David Henderson, the public which will
traverse the lobbies of the "Duquesne
Theater" will echo the sentiment OF that
time-worn saying: This is the way long
have sought"
In the last statement from Mr.. Jackman
he was negotiating with a manager of ma
tional reputation, and hoped to bring the
deal to successful finish. His hopes are
most handsomely realized in arriving at
terms with Mr.. Henderson. The energy of
the manager of the Chicago Opera House is
proverbial in the theatrical world, and the
combinations which have toured the country
under his N Management have accustomed the
public to look for the best.
Pittsburg's new manager visited THE
DISPATCH office, In company with Mr..
Jackman, last evening and chatted freely IN
regard to plans for the future of his newly
acquired property. He commenced BY
stating that Pittsburg was theatrical CEN
ter in which he had unbounded confidence.
and that he felt assured that the patronage
of such a home of dramatic as he intended
to erect and equip would be bounded solely
by its seating capacity, provided the best at
fractions were provided.
AN OPENING ATTRACTION.
AS to the latter portion of his plans, a
hint that Barrett with perhaps Booth would
be the opening attraction furnishes strong
intimation as to the character OF the book
ings to be expected under the new regime.
In locals theatrical circles the liveliest salts
faction was delineated on all faces last even
ing.
As 10 his plans in detail, Mr.. Henderson
stated that he and his associates would erect |
a thoroughly complete theater. AS Mr.. |
Henderson did not use the word remodel"
it can be taken for granted that the building |
will be entirely new. 1t will have shall |
low lobby, extending the whole width of the |
SO-foot frontage on Penn avenue, and |
doors Will lead direct into the auditorium |
on the ground floor. Including the balcony
aud ~ rba h. IL
ity of ], 500 seats. The theater will be
practically freproof, and the auditorium
will be decorated in a unique and magnifi- |
cent manner. The Moorish -stvle will be |
followed, as in such modern theaters as
Sanger's Broadway, and Abbey, Schoefel |
& Grau's fremont street house.
COST OF THE BUILDING.
At least 5000, 900 will be expended upon
the building. The stage will embodv the |
most modern ideas of mechanism, and will |
be OF ample depth and extent for the spec
tacular effects of the largest travelling COM
1inations. The house and stage will be |
supplied with every possible electrical aux
iliary, and ventilation will be thoroughly |
subserved. This item is significant, mas |
much rs Manager Henderson intends to |
keep the house open the year around, en-
ploying artificial methods to battle the |
simoons of summer or the billiards. of win |
ter months.
The theatrical fraternity will find cause to
bless Mr.. Henderson, as the dressing rooms
will be roomy and comfortable. There will |
be commodious greenroom and secure le-
treat for the musicians. Manager Hender-
son lays particular stress upon his inten-
tions as to staging productions in his house.
A corps of scenic artists and mechanicians
will assure surprises throughout the season.
NO EXPENSE SPARED.
Expenditures will be as lavish as the
policy that has proven so sound in the con-
duct of the Chicago Opera House, now
rated the leading theater of the Western
The parsimonious cheese par
ing of the average provincial manager find
no favor in Mr.. Henderson's eyes. He will
give the public value received.
1t is not improbable that PIttsburg will
witness the metropolitan First night" with
Out being forced to journey to New York,
as Mr.. Henderson has several combination
upon the road.
All in all, it is pleasant theatrical pros
pect that the vista OF the future presents.
The oft-repeated statement that Pittsburgers
will flock to a hrst-class theater will be
likely to receive an exemplifcation in the
near future.
Mr.. Jackman has had some tempting
offers from managers less prominent and not
giving promise of frst-class regime, but
has sturdily refused to entertain any propo-
sition which did not comprehend an essen
tally metropolitan addition to Pittsburg's
playhouses.
THE NEW MANAGER
"Dave" Henderson is a newspaper vet
eran and a popular gentleman, whose voice
is always attuned to pleasantries and whose
face is ever wreathed in smiles. He
had an extended experience on the
press, being in turn dramatic critic
IF the Chicago Tribune and doing"
he became managing editor of the Chicago
Nelcs, and several years since founded the |
Chicago Herald IN company with James
w. Scott, William D. Eaton and Ilason |
Thompson. He was editor of that bright
ournal for two years, and turned his atten-
ion to the theatrical business becoming
manager of the Chicago Opera House when
t was opened.
This house has achieved a national rep
ltation for the sumptuous production of a
ong list OF spectacular extravaganzas, not
me OF which failed to turn up trump"
The Crystal Slipper" "Arabian Nights" {
md "Bluebeard, Jr." have all been big
Winners. He gobbled the Western rights ,
# 'The Gondoliers, and is gathering in
many shekels every week on that venture.
Those who know him best predict a ,
heatrical revolution in this city.
AS OTHERS SEE 1T.
Manager Harry Williams, of the Academy
f Music, was not the least bit alarmed about
he new theater. He said: Henderson is
good man, and 1 believe he will succeed.
I will not change my plans in the least.
there is plenty of room here for another I
heater. 1 will build nv theater next year, 4
s L have before stated. The work will
next March, and my new house ,