The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-10-19

business is now mainly in the hands Of speeuls-
tors. who are in 1t for commercial reasons rather
than through any love Of dramatic art When
began my career AZ IN actor. most managers
were men who were or who hal been actors.
They had gone on the ssaze through love OF the
histrionic profession, and when they became
possessed OF theaters Of their own they retained
their pride in their art and were notably not
only willing, but anxious, to do anything in
their power for IL. Tney recognized shak IS
peare ~ the past grand master Of dramatic
writer's. and they were willing TO present his
plays in the best possible manner. great
shAkespearean production was the summit OF
their ambition.
The Kembles, the Keenea and the MacresdyB
spared neither wesitn. labor, nor research in
their 6hakespearcan revivsls. The only Shakes
pearean productions OF the present day have
been those Of actors, notably Henry Irving ana
Stuart Robson, to whom is due THE Comedy OF
Errors.' Shakespearean plays required good ac-
tors, character actors We have clever actors
now in the society" plays aud actors who can
personate contemporary forms OF character, bat
very few. except tue old-timers. who play .
Shakesperean part even acceptabsy. More's the
pity"
Mr. Keene, by the way, still keeps Shakespeare
to the fore. and for 80 doing he deserves the
patronage Of all lovers of the higher form OF the
drama. In the good old days people who loved
art used to pay duty visits to the sneaters. to
courage dramatic art Mr. Kecne opens his en-
gsgement in Seattle at Seattle opera-hoEse Octo-
Der n.
The Size OF the former Madison street theater
is undergoing thorough metamorphosis Adj
diti0ns and improvements are being made TO
the old building which completely changes its
appearance.
Some time since the property was purchased
by J. r. cordray 4 Co.. well-known theatrical
managers, of Portland. Work was at once begun
on the remodeling OF the house, and extensive
additions are being made. The estimated cost
OF the improvements is $4,000 The new play
house Is to be known IS Cordray's Musee and
Theater. The building will be cut mp into the
musee and the theatcr proper. On the musee
stage will be exhibited specisliies Of . refined
nature, such as singing, dancing and athletic
performances. There will also be . large col
lection of curios In the same room.
II the plans ard specifications 60 for anything
the theater proper promises 20 be gem of its
kind. The management say no trouble or ex-
pense will be spared to make il the best APP
pointed theater in the Pacific Northwest II
VIII be fitted up with ell the modern conven-
fences and appliances of amusement houses
The theater will support good stock COM
psny, but occasionally outside attractions viii
hold the boards. John F. Cordray has made q
splendid reputation as an amusement caterer,
and he promises to give Seattle nrst-class
place of amusement. He has similar estab-
lishment in Portland. which has met with great
success. and he expects to repeat that success
here. His object Is to establish an amusement
house which shall excel, not only in its appoint
meuts, but IN the class of its entertainments
He expects to cater only to the better clEsses,
and no Objectionable features of any kind win
ind Q foothold.
sis expected that the doors OF the new theater
will be thrown open to the public about the
middle Of November.
Mr.. George Edwin Bryant. the New Zealand
lecturer. who viii shortly deliver his latest Gre
alton. Down the Murray River under the au-
spices of the Washington Alpine Club, Is, We
understand, quite an enthusiastic canoeist Mr..
Bryant was for some time one OF the staff OF the
Victorian Botanical garden, lMelbourne, Aus
tralia,) and drifted into the delightful bohemian
lie of . canoeist while studying native botan-
zeal specimens. He viii, after filing this sea-
sons engagements, launch mis- canoe on the
rspid waters of the Yellow tone, and proceed 70
the Gulf OF Mexico, distance OF over 1900
miles The object expressed Is to see the United
states from the banks of its principal rivers,
write an American lecture, and return TO his
native land.
Edwin H. Price. manager OF Clara Morris, Is
quot. ID as saying that the great Northwest ID .
Iesel8ttOH ~ nfm fti manly W6se- nc AsoS arc1
ssmore than was dreamed OF in his philosophy
and John Msguire too" happy consummar
ton not accorded every one IN the short space
of . lifetime.
Clara Morris, who comes to the Seattle opera
house Wednesday for four nights. ID playing
over the Montana circuit This week. She has .
number Of very strongly emotional pieces. In
GLIDING "Rene" Camille" "Odeite," miss
Mutton" and ''The New Magdalen.v
Smoking has become = common practice In
the gallery OF the opera-hOsse. While it does
not disturb those on the lower floor it does not
look right ana should be stopped By the man
agement
T. w. Keene's company win play at Oakland.
Sacramento, Seattle, Tacoma, Portland. Spokane
Falls, ETC., after San Francisco. thence South
for the winter.
Some enterprisng man can make q fortune by
renting cushions to the patrons Of Seattle opera
house. board seat II none the softer because
of its perforations
The dress George Parker wears during her
Spanish dance in the ~. 8. MALI is faid TO
have cost $780,
The orchestra of the Seattle opera house IL
now giving satisfaction. II is the best Seattle
has ever known.
1t is strange that Joe Grismer should allow
side instructions audibiy given to his support to
mar his artistic work.