The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-11-21
A THEATER TRAIN.
Many Topeka People Favor the
Project.
Would Rather Spend Their
Money in Topeka,
BUT CAN'T ENDURE
Worthless and Tritling Plays of
the Bowery Order.
The Tastes of Topeka People
Not Considered.

~ resent as a curtailment and diminution
of their amusements. They will endure
great deal of oppression and i'll treat
ment, but not in their recreations When
the Roman empire was the most tyran-
nical, the games and spectacular sports
in Rome were the most gorgeous and
imposing.
The fact that the theatrical business
in Topeka is in the hands of one man,
who either does not or can not provide
the entertainments that the people de-
mand and are willing to pay for, makes
the position of thousands of intelligent
theater goers here more calling.
Many can not understand why the
bookings for the theater here are not
worthy the patronage of the better classes
of theater- goers. Three years ago, when
Mr Charles Elliott. now conducting one
of Hopkins Chicago theaters, was here he
booked line of attractions that Topeka
had not seen in years. All the leadingplays
and players that came to this part of the
country were brought here. we had all
of Frohman's charming comedies, A. N
Palmers companies, the best of comic
operas, and a score of the best actors
that travelled. But when Mr.. Elliott
left everything dropped back into the
old rut. We seem to get nothing now
except what appears at the Ninth
street theater in Kansas City, which is
run as popular price" so cent place.
Mr.. Elliott who is thoroughly posted in
theatrical matters was superseded as the
booker by Chester Crawford, the young
son of Manager l. NJ. Crawford. 1t seems
strange that this young man should SO
misunderstood the people of Topeka
that he should suppose that plays like
Grimes Cellar Door," "The Bowery
Girl" Steve Brodie." etc, should please
theater goers like Edward Wilder, a. B
Quinton, H. E Ball, w. J. Black, James
kowley, c. K. Holiday, Hiram Dillon
and others of that character. There are
whole streets full of wealthy and cul-
tured people in Topeka who never GO to
the theater here any more; their intelli-
gence would be insulted if they did.
It is to be admitted that some horse play
shows should be brought here because
there are people who like them, and all
classes should be catered to, but the at
tempt to force the best people in town
to go to see attractions" that are meant
for the "Fourt street gang" is an insult
'e the better classes and they resent it, as
we'll they may. If we must have Bow
cry shows, and of course they are part of
the business, let them be put in the
smaller opera house at 70 cents a seat
which is the price they play for in the
smaller towns, and let US have good plays
at the Grand. This was the plan NJ an
ager Crawford announced that he was
going to follow when he got the Grand
opera house, but he hasn't done it.
1t appears that the bookings were made
this season wholly on the per cent. ANY
company that demanded more than &C
per cent was excluded, no matter what
the attraction was The booker seems to
have run bis eye down the column of per
cents without glancing at the titles of the
shows, and whenever the column showed
that the local manager at Topeka would
be given 40 per cent that show was book
ed, regardless of its character. We can
not say that this was the way the book
ing was done, but it looks as if it was.
1t is too late to remedy matters this
season, but the people of Topeka have
one resource. They can go to Kansas
City to the best plays, and if thester
train is provided they can go frequently
at least once in two weeks.
If Manager Crawford finds that people
are determined to see good plays and to
ignore THE Dazzler," "The Hustler
The Stargazer" and such transforming
combinations, the booking next year is
likely to be of an entirely different char
acter.
This protest the JOURNAL is making i:
entirely in the interest of the people
AuAS paper 4OsGS ulOu6y Dy ~ DuL we De-
lieve our duty to the people of this city
is more imperative in this instance thar
the question of dollars and cents II
they will take hold of the matter we be
lieve the evil can be remedied.
The theater going public will throw
Itself on the neck of the man wh5 carries
out tho plan of running a theater excur
sion train to Kansas City. Topeka peo-
pie would rather attend plays in Topeka
they would rather spend their money al
home, but when they are given the al
tentative of witnessing q Bowery play
or staying at home they must do some
thing. The only thing left to do is to &c
TO Kansas City where they may be as
sured good attractions.
81 would like to see COED show
brought to Topeka" said Eugene Hagan
"Ihere is no reason why we should no
have them on this circuit, but we do no
get them and | am heartily in favor OF
the excursion train to Kansas CITY.
would rather spend my money at home
but do not want to spend it to see q bac
play. 1t should not be necessary 70 %
to Kansas City and I do not understand
why Mr.. Crawford can not get good play;
but he does not do it.
Topeka has the reputation of being
one Of the best theatsr towns in the
west. We have a large theater- goinp 9
class who will patronizs good plays The
reason we have more theater patron;
here ;haR In some other western town.
Is because many of the people have
salaries and they know just what they
will have 20 spend l hope the theateI
train will be q success"
L s. WoOIvsrton says: "There are lot
81 people in Topeka who viii patronizl