Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-24

BIJoC THEATER. The Clemenceau CASE
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.. Bristol's Trained Horse:
HARRY DAVIS MUSEUM. .Curiosities, etc
" NoiLD ..Curlosltles, etc
dAhkls' IIEATER. ...........The Shadow DetectlV,
The above are the theatrical attractions
Tor this week. The Duquesne Theater and
Harry Williams Academy closed lastnight
for the season.
The magnificent production of CLEOPATRA
at the Grand Opera House practically
brought the season to q close at that house.
with good deal of unwonted glory. Packed
houses have been the rule there since
Wednesday. There is not much more to be
said about Fanny Davenport's CLEOPATRA, -
unless 1t be that the final scene is very un-
satisfactory, and the introduction of the asp
piece OF realism that very well could be
dispensed with. Miss Davenport was seen
TO tar greater advantage in the title role on
Monday night than subsequently; and it is
clear that she stands in need of rest, as well
sne may after even comparatively short
season III such an eXhausting role
BY the way, it is becoming clearer every
day that productions of broad merit, such as
appeal to all classes of theatergoers, "Cleo-
patIa," for example, might be retained
profitably on the Pittsburg boards for two
Weeks. 1t has taken 4 long while for mana
gers, local and foreign, to grasp the situation
st sufficiently now to see their own interest
in giving Pittsburg more of the thiTKs it
wants. and less of the rubbish, be it indecent
or idiotic, that it does not want. Marcus
Mayer, the manager of Fanny Davenport, is
one of the few men who understand what
the American public desires in theatrical
entertainments, and he has q very alert lieu
tenant in Ben Stern. Two of the most salts
factory performances in every respect that
Pittsburg has seen this year have been
CLEOPATRA" and Agnes Huntington in 'Paul
Homes NJ Mo1- mo
The managers OF the legitimate drama, most
of all, have got to learn that plays must be
properly mounted and entrusted to strong
companies to compete with the lighter at
fractions, the f1ashy farce comedies and
comic operas, the spectacles and realistic
melodr9mas, upon which the bulk of the
money and the brains of the stage are be-
slowed to-day. The scenic excellence of
cleopatra" and especially the superb rep
Tesentation of the storm, is the chief
reason for the popular support it has OBJ
tanned.
The Duquesne Theater has closed for the
season. Manager Henderson deserves the
gratitude of the public of Pittsburg for CIV
ing them much more than a new and pretty
theater, and next season the full benefit of
his efficient management will no doubt be
felt. The Duquesne Theater has had q very
prosperous season, one that was phenom-
anally so considering the disadvantages
on the dead walls about town are brilliant
with red and blue bills announcing the open
ing of next season in August, and the strong
est list of attractions which has ever been
presented TO a Pittsburg public. The list
embraces much that is good in every line of
the amusement business, but particular at 1
tention seems to have been paid by Manager 1
Henderson in looking to the selection of high
class comedy and operatic attractions,
Among the companies announced are all the i
lsI-
"Men and Women" "Au the Comforts of
Home" The LyceIm Home Stock Company,
Frohman's Company in "TheTmidor," "Mr.
Wnkinson's Widows" and the Kendals
Besides these there also come to the Du-
quesne, Rose Coglrlan, Rosina Nokes, w. H.
Crane, Stuart Robson, Augustus Pitou's
Stock Company, Bill Nye's new play, "The
Cadi, under the direction of Stuart Robson;
Mr.. 4. NJ. Palmer's company in the new sue
cess, "Alabama:" Nj. 4. NJ. Palmers Madison
sqnaTe Theater Company in repertoly; Her
new English success, 1.-The Irishman;"
Fanny Davenport in "Cleopatra;" the
comedians Reed and Collier in their
Frank Daniels Little Puck" company, "a
Texas Steer" "a Trip to- Chinatown" "a
Midnight Bell" and Hoyt's forthcoming
tions the bookings of the Duquesne are
equally strong. THE Bostonians" will pre-
sent their repertory of late successes, in
Guiding Robin Hood" now the craze in
appear for one week, presenting several new
operas, among them their latest success,
'The Tar and the Tartar" The Minnie
Hauck Grand Opera Company will give d
week of the greatest of grand operas sung in
English, and Agnes Huntington will be seen
here again in "Paul Jones'" Of course Mr..
Hendersons own two companies will
senting "Bluebeard'5 as sumptuously
revised, and the other, the American Ex-
tTaEaganza Company, appearing for two
cago Opera House spectacle, "Sinbad, or the
Maid OF Balsora." This last named specta-
Gle, by the way, is now well under rehearsal
and the scenery and costumes are entirely
completed. The piece will be presented
upon scale of magnificence eclipsing even
the grandeur of "The Crystal Slipper" Two
hundred people viii take part in the origi-
nal production in Chicago early next month,
and nearly as many when the piece comes to
the Duquesne, following the IA weeks run
which 'Sinbad" is sure to have in the
nificent new porte coc'.ere of steel and stained
glass Will be erected across the pavement in
front Of the Duquesne.
e So
The BUou Theater will not be closed for
several weeks yet, although "The Clemen-
ceau Case" it is probable, will be the last
regular engagement of the season. The |
Buou Theater has never had more profita- |
BILE season than this, Manager Gulick says,
and theater has had nothing to g1umble |
about in former years. 1t is still eminently |
the popular theater of the city, and the list |
Of bookings for next season, published in |
The DISPATCH last week. shows that MeSsrS |
Gullck Co. are catering to the same public |
that has supported them so well in the past. |
E.*/
Manager E. D. Wilt, of the Grand Opera |
House, said yesterday: 81 intend to spend |
10000, more or less, in improvements on my |
.heater for next season. The interior of the |
house will be repainted and decorated, with |
view OF making 1T lighter and brighter in 4
Every respect. Some other alterations will 4
INVOLVE the removal of the stairs leading |
rom the foyer to the balcony, and the en- |
of the foyer at that point to a /
width of l6 feet L shall increase the seating |
capacity of the parquet floor, and improve /
he exits from the house. The curtain will |
De renovated, and many minor improve
nentS viii be made. The prices of /
omission will depend next season on the
Iuality of the attraction. If it is hrst-class
he prices will be from 81 80 down as now
except in such case as when Bernhardt
)lays hereto see whom the public must ex-
Dect to pay more. For weaker attractions
he prices will be from 70 cents to 10 cents,
which think is a fair scheme for the public. |
iy list of attractions for next season am |
lot prepared to publish; it has been nv
ustom to not promise more than 1 can
ultll, but hope to give my patrons an ex-
client line of plays and stars. As for the
'ast season, / am satisfied with the results, |
no don't think it is anybo6y's business
ut my own what my receipts have been"
Davis new theater has not grown much
uring the last fortnight, but it is said that
n arrangement has been made with the
trikers by which building operations will
egin again on Monday next. Mr.. Davis still
as abundance of time to complete his thea
er, and it is understood that he will be here
D speed the work early in the week.
A New York correspondent writes: Don