St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-02
DULL DRAMATIC SEASON,
BUT MOST or LIFTS COMPANIES
HAVE DONE WELL.
..oLD Kentucky. IN LONDON.
jacob Lift Returns From His
Winters Scjourn in New York
and Talks Interestingly-G
Kingsbury Succeeds Frank
BiXby-Grand Will Re Closed
During Summer Season.

Jacob Lift, the well known theatrical
man, and the one to whom st. Paul for
many years past has been indebted for
the presentation of so many popular
plays. is i'm. the city. He came in from
New York last night, where he has been
for the winter. He is registered at the
Windsor, and stated to GLOBE report
er last night that it was his intention to
stlv here at least until tomorrow, and
possibly until "Wednesday, and then
leave for Chicago. He spoke interest
lngly of variety of matters. Among
other things, Mr.. Lift said:
81 have been in New York city with
one of my In Old Kentucky companies.
We had six months engagement in
The New York Academy of Music, and
did big business.
1.-The theatrical business, generally
speaking, has been rather dull the past
season with the majority of the COM
panies. The experience IN st. Paul has
been no worse than in other cities of its
size: in fact, as good as any. My Ell
sign" company has just concluded re-
markably successful tour Of California,
playing to excellent houses everywhere.
The in Ola Kentucky and lyon
Yonson" companies have had good sue
cess as well. My other companies. pre-
sehting "The Stowaway" and Nut
meg Match" have Jared badly. This
goes 10 prove that the public wants big
ger and better shows than these.
las 10 the outlook for the dramatic
business the coming season. it is eX
tremely difficult for me to make fore
cast. In nay opinion, however, it will
not improve any more than other bust
ness interests until the tariff question is
thoroughly settled. This makes every
thin dubious III the extreme. Why, in
the New England states, from what l
have observed. ] fully believe that half
The big mills are closed down, and this
means that few people are spending
money for theatergoing.
My prospects for the season to
come is quite a vast question TO con-
slider. So far as this section is con-
rerned, however. shall close up the
81. Paul Grand Tor the summer season.
which lasts for ten weeks. having de-
cided not 70 put In a stock company
here this year. The Biiou, at Minneap-
oils. VIII be occupied by the Deslion
Opera company this summer. This
troupe Is enlarged. and will include
some forty-five people. In the latter
part OF May ! shall 90 10 Europe-partly
on business and partly for pleasure.
" bile across the water L shall secure
number OF novelties. which l trust
wIH prove drawing cards. | expect to
return 10 tie [ uited States about Aug.
: In TIE latter part of May l shall put
GU In Old Kentucky" i'll London. Eng
Land. AZ the Princess theater. Laura
Burt. who Is so favorabiy known in ST.
Paul, will play i'll the leading part
there.
Frank BiXby will remain as my man.
ager in st. Paul till the close of the
present SeaSon-the last week in May.
Right here | desire publicly to attest my
hearty appreciation of the faithful and
efficient service he has given me here in
st. Paul. He is without question one of
the most COMPETENT. earnest and able
managers | ever had in my employ. He
has been with me ever since | came to
the Northwest. which was about i've
years ago. He was first i'll charge of the
Minneapolis BijUu, and then came here
30 take charge o. the Grand. L Under
stand that his play, SHAFT No. 2" is
unsurpassed. / have not read it as YET,
but propose soon to do so. George
kIngSbury will succeed Mr.. BiXby as
my manager here, taking hold of the
business directly,after Mr.. BiXby leaves.
He has been with me for ten years, and
will, doubtless. make good manager"