The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-11
LOCAL THEATRICAL GOSSIP.

What has become OF John Maguire's
scheme for a new opera house i'll Helena
The last news was that arrangements were
completed and that Woods, the we'll known
theater architect, would be in Helena last
week to submit plans for the interior and
exterior of the building. Since then moth
ing has been heard. Ii Mr.. Mcguire In
tends having a new theater i'll Helena he
should begin at once. The theatrical sea-
son proper is nearly over. Under tho best
conditions it will be almost impossible to
build n theater ready for opening by the
first of next season. This Is not OF &C
great Importance if the people pt
Helena could only be assured OF a
new house by Thanksgiving. Mr.. Mcguire
is one of the best known promoters among
the theatrical managers of this country.
When he starts out 10 build a theater 1t ia
quite safe to predict that he will win. The
building of n new opera house III this city
has, however, been tagging iii some
unexplainable manner since Mr.. Ma
guire gave the assurance that all
necessary funds had been sub
seribed for that purpose and that tho loca-
ton had been secured. 1t was rumored the
other day that the location might be
changed to lower Main street near Sixth
avenue. Manager Mcguire has been max
ing a trip through Montana theatrlca,
towns with a view to strengthening his CIR
cult. He should come to Helena and pro-
mote his interests by rushing the new Opera
house ahead with all possible speed.
Mrs. Ming promises to improve the inte-
rior of her opera house during the coming
summer. Manager Remington says that
new carpets will be laid. steam heat will be
introduced, the walls will be redecorated
new draperiss will be added and the
scenery will be retouched. In all, possibly
5000 will be spent, but very likely not SO
much. If Mrs. Ming wishes to retain the
prestige of Ming's Opera house in Helena
she should either build a new house or
spend at least $4,000 on the present house.
She should do this at once. The money
could be expended in tearing out the left
wall, raising the roof and blasting out the
rock in the rear of the house. This would
make room for a stage of proper size. The
front of the house should be made to look
like a theater instead of a livery stable.
The interior of the house could be made
very aUtTaCtiNS WILL u CUlApd IdblSct1 oluoiA
expenditure of money. The expenditure of
but a few thousand dollars on the house
will be money thrown away for it will not
prevent the construction of another house,
and with two opera houses Ming's would
get the worst of the business. 1t ID high
time for a new theater in Helena. Nobody
cares who builds it but some one mnst I'M
dertake it. Ming's opera house is the
house of the town because there is no other.
1t is doubtful if there is a larger revenue
derived from any building in Montana of
similar cost. The rents have paid for the
building over and over again. There is a
large fortune in the estate. No better use
could be made of a part of this than in the
construction of an opera house that would
be a credit to Helena and a lasting monu-
ment to the name of Ming.
The season at Ming's has been very salts
factory in a financial way while the list of
attractions has been better than ever. The
list, however, is not compile for several good
entertainments are booked for this month.
Manager Remington dropped back into his
old place as manager with easy grace and
has conducted the house in a most satisfac-
tory manner. He promises a rich pro-
gramme for this month. The Rostonians
open o,night for three nights and a
matinee, and Cleveland's Mastodon Min
strels finish the week. Milton and Dottie
Mobiles will open, a week from this evening,
for an engagement of four performances.
This will give patrons of the theatre a solid
run of ten nights. On May 25 Nine. Rhea,
supported by William Harris, will appear.
Several attractions not yet booked will be
seen later on. Vernona Jarbeau, whose
popularity in Helena is without limit, will
appear at Mings in July.
Every manager who visits Helena talks
about.the growing importance of the north
western circuit. The business each year
grows larger and each season finds several
new towns in the circuit. Cities like Great
Falls, Fairhaven and new towns on the
coast are, one after the other, furnishing
handsome new opera houses which are illed
with people at every pc .formance. The
best managers are constantly struggling te
secure dates in this country. Manager
Brewer, of the Fred Warde mpa il
talking about this subject, said: "Helent
is most fortunately situated i'll a Theatrical,
sense. 1t is the objective point fol
all combinations in the northwest.
ern tour. There are three routes. IL
San Francisco, through the coast towns te
Spokane, Butte, Salt Lake and Denver OF
the same circuit from Helena to st. Paul
Then there is the'route from st. Paul to Hele.
ma. or from Salt Lake to Helena to the coas
and homo over the Union Pacific. You see
that Helena is the key. and the fact that
business is always good here adds to tht
managers efforts to boob this city. From
st. Paul it is the pace for Il rest over Sun
day before commencing an engagement
The hotels here are among the very best
west of the Mississippi river, and you
know an actor has a lingering fondness fo
a good hotel. Helena only wants a ney
opera house and then the city will b
; finely equipped for entertainment pur
poses.'
The engagement Of the Bostonians, whicI
opens this evening. will be welcomed b
hosts OF admirers in Helena. The engage
ment last year was a fine success, but wa
somewhat marred by the failure of Ton
Karl to appear. The famous tenor will b
seen this evening In a fine role, and wit
him will be seen Jessie Bartlett Davis
Marie Stone, Fl. G. Barnabee, w. H. Nc
Donald, George Rockingham, Eugen