The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-29
BOOKING NEW SHOWS
The Northwest Theatrical As
sociation's Plans.
SAN FRANcisco's NEW THsATeR
To BE Built for the Association as
Means OF Strengthening
thu Circuit.


details with reference 70 a number Of first
class attractions which he booked for the
Northwest circuit while in San Francisco
during the past month.
The main object which took Mr. HsslIr
10 the Golden Gate was 70 secure ~ Ms
sfbie, site for new theater. with the
ultimate object Of extending the now
aourisEing Northern circuit TO that CITY
and organizing a complete and independent
Coast circuit. free from Eastern dictatson.
When seen last evening, Mr. HeIIlg said
IN this connection:
While In San Francisco I met all the
principal managers then in the city. aud
made the acquaintance Of several gentle
men owning desirable theater sites. who
intimated their willingness to sell or lease
their properties. or build a new theater. If
need be. AS result I received for the
consideration OF our people FIVE PROPOSE
tons relative 10 the establishment of a
theater under our mana cement in that
city. These five propositions are as fol-
lows: First-A proposition from San
Francisco capitalist to build US a theater
In accordance with our own plans, and to
give us the lease of the same for a period
Of years. Second-A proposition from a
syndicate Of gentlemen who own available
lots for US to combine with them in form
ing a stock company TO build and maintain
an up-to-date. firEt-class theater. Third
A proposition for the purchase OF site in
an uptown, fashionable locality, to buy out
right and erect theater with our own
money. The terms OF this offer being ex-
tremely liberal and advantageous TO US,
and made fer the avowed purpose OF ad-
vancing the interests Of the particular To-
cality. Fourth-A proposition from an al
ready formed combination which Will
agree to build the only really grand opera
house in San Francisco. the building 10
cost 500. 900 and be capable OF seating from
5000 TO 600o people. Fifth-A proposition
10 lease a theater already built in San
Francisco.
Should we decide TO accept the offer TO
build theater capable Of seating over
5000 people, IL would be possible to attain
two very necessary objects which the
tendency OF things in San Francisco de-
rnand. We would on the one hand be able
10 reduce the price Of seats to IS cents or
81. instead of 81 and 81 50. as at present; and
on the other hand we could then book and
take care OF such organizations as the
Damrosch opera company, the Abbey, Grau
e. Schofeld opera company, Henderson's
extravaganza company, Henry 1rvings
company, and other organizations OF sim
liar magnitude. Since the Grand opera
house in San Francisco has been given over
to extreme melo-drama. there is really no
theater with seating or stage capacity
for the presentation of such attractions as
those Just named, so that house such as
is outlined above would certainly Ill
long and sorely felt want.
so far as the theaters already built are
concerned, do not think we VIII care TO
lease any Of them. We feel that IN order
to carry the circuit so far completed TO
successful footing we should enter the
California field with an entirely new place
of amusement that will be as free in ira
dition as in fact from the arrangements
already existing.
II am personally of the opinion that n
theater capable OF seating from 900 10
1890 is about the right thing. Such an
eaiace would cost in the neighborhood or
$4,000. and be something like the size or
Morosco's grand opera house, but con-
structed In far more modern style and
with a larger stage. It would have three
galleries and like many OF the
newest theaters In the East, be
built for theatrical purposes alone; that
is. without offices or stores in the front
to interfere with the beauty Of the build
ing or the proper placing OF exits.
IN San Francisco I noticed the tax Is
70 be much lower than in the cities OF The
Northwest which IS q fact that investors
always take note Of The theater licenses
are IN some Instances lower. and as gen.
eral thing the cost of running theater
is cheaper. compared with the population
into consideration, I believe the prospect
for building theater IN San Francisco is
very favorable. All that the parties IN
terested in this proposed enterprise want
IS per cent. on the investment. and we
feel sure that with the proper management
and the undoubted facilities and advantage
from a theatrical point Of view that such
a complete coast circuit would give IS,
We could accomplish even better results.
with a theater IN San Francisco entire
" under our control there would no loug4r
be any danger OF the large organizations
missing coming by way OF the Sound cities
to or from san Francisco. To attain this
object have been for the past year strain
ing all my efforts The gentlemen with
whom am connected fully concur In this
object. and II Il Is accomplished. as IL looks
now in fair way 10 be, the whole North
west VIII enjoy such a theatrical boom as
has never been seen here before"
While in San Francisco Mr.. Helig made
the rounds 81 the various places OF amuse-
msut and was afforded a good opportunity
OF estimating the theatrical interests mani
Tested and the general business done he
SAID:
Almost all the leading theaters Of the
place are doing an excellent business.
noticed that all the first-Class houses wera
crowded nightly, ana the management OF
TIE several places informed me that this
had been the RUE Tor the PAST Sf'A%Dli
also noticed that T. Daniel FTawiey and
his coterie OF sterling players were doing
A prosperous business a. the Columbia, and
that the engagement would On account OF
its uccess be prolonged uatl the middle
Of February. Our old friends. Louis James
and Marie wainwright oddly enough COM
pstin. for the first time in the same city
against each ether. were both crovding
their respective theateTs. The Ttvoli, the
Orpheun and the Grand were. az course.
running along in their even tenor OF pro-
n0unced prosperity.
s.Tt will re OF interest to the amusement
loving ruhEc Of Seattle 20 know that I
have booked FOR the Sound circuit. among
other attractions. 'Fuddin' Head Wils0n-'
9 drsnatization OF Mark Twa!n's qGainIly
humorous story that ran Ia serial form IN
the Century last year; also Gus HITS
vaudeville show; Springer & WetIeF's
sF21aek Crook company. Cazuauis SEQ
oa4 ROYAL European vauaevlIes. Richard
Mansfield IN a repertoire of has latest New
YORK successes, fF'ahfo Roman. Texas
Steer Hanlon's 'Superba.' James A Her1e
IN his phenoutenaliy successful play. shore
Acres John Drew, Primrose & West
Ministries. as well as many g the ed ga
vorifes. The Frawisy company has also
been engaged 70 appear during February
IN sts latest PLAYS, The senator, Lost
Paradise and The Ensign