The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-21
John c. Remington Has Secured q
Three Years Lease and Will
Be Manager.
John Mcguire Says That q New
House Will Be Built This
Year.
some Plans OF both Man
ayers.

TIE management of Ming's opera house
will change hands on April l, and for the
Arst time In ten years John Mcguire will
be without q theatre in Helena. Mr.. John
q. Remington who is we'll and favorably
known az Mr.. Maguire's former local man
ager, has secured a three years lease of the
opera house and will assume the manage
mept on the first Of next month. The
house will be closed on July !, when ex-
tensive repairs will be commenced under
the direction of Mrs. Ming. The house will
be reseated throughout and re%frescoed.
A new drop curtain ~and new
scenery will be added. When next
season opens the interior of Ming's will
present q pleasing transformation if
present promises are carried out. In May
Mr.. Remington will 60 east to book attrac-
tions, and he pledges his word that next
season will bring the finest attractions ever
known in this city. He has given bonds for
$4,000. and has secured 4 long lease, the
only conditions being that the lease shall
be vacated in the event Of the
construction Of new opera house
BY Mrs. Ming. MI. Remington saws
for Great Falls. Bozeman, Anaconda and
possibly for Missoula. His local manager
ment Of MinR's in Maguire's circuit was
entirely satisfactory to the patrons of
amusement in Helena. He is particularly
remembered for his courtesy and care for
the comfort Of the audiences, for he was
always at the door.
John Mcguire, who has catered to the
theatrical wants of generations in this
western country, is still in the ring. He
was apparently not feeling the least bit dis
turbed last evening when asked about his
plans for the future. He said: II have
done business in Helena without Mine's
Opera house before and will do it again.
You may state positively and definitely
that a new theatre will be built
in Helena and commenced within
the present year and John Mcguire
will have the management. The details
are not arranged, but the success Of the
opera house Of which the citizens in Hell
ena will have good reason to be proud. l
think my past history in the theatrical pro-
fession and in Montana is sufficient assur-
ance that the people of Helena will not be
neglected in the way of amusements. l
have known for some time That a deal OF
some sort was pending for the lease of
Mine's opera house and I have made ar
r~angements accordingly. have booked
attractions up to Feb. I, 1892. but while the
next seasons attractions are booked for
Helena they are not booked for Ming's
opera house. Part of the bookings for the
remainder of this season are at MinR's and
part are not. I will have charge Of a
new house to be built in Anaconda
this year and I have other houses, 80 there
is not the slightest danger of the Montana
circuit losing its PRESTIGE" While Mr..
Maguires legion of friends will regret to
learn of his loss of the lease, il it means
misfortune to his interests, they will rejoice
to know of the prospect of a fine new opera
house of which he will have the manage
ment.
The present change is another phase of
the long tight for the control of Mings.
Mr.. Remington has been working for sew
eral months to get the lease. He also ex-
poets to have a house in Butte and book
attractions for botn cities. The trouble
between the two managers originated last
spring when Mr.. Remington retired from
the local management of Mings. Since then
an opere house war has developed and will
doubtless be fought through to the bitter
end. Mr.. Remington will not book for
MaRuire's opera house in Butte. and, of
course, Mr.. Mcguire will make no further
bookings for Mine's. The companies I'M
der these conditions will have to get along
the best they can, to say nothing about the
audiences. Unless new theaters are built
in both cities travelling managers will be
obliged to either Jump one own or play in
an opera house in one tow and a hall or
barn in the other. It is certain, however,
that both managers will leave no stones I'm
turned to bring the very best theatrical atz
fractions to Helena and Butte.