The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-11

me OF the performances j must give some
account OF the Boston Tneater itself.
Two of the four theaters were built by
Mr.. Keith, personally, and all are man
aged in the same excellent way as the
Boston one. The present building at Bos-
ton was commenced In 1891 and opened
in March, 1894. have been able to Judge
OF its magnifcence, and to get some in
formation about IT, which ] am afraid
Mr.. Keith would not have given me,
from delightful souvenir which Mrs.
Can't has sent me. In there are come ex-
cellent illustrations, which go to prove
the highly artistic tone OF the house, so
great in fact as 10 have called forth
enconiums OF praise not only from thou
sands OF Americans all over the States,
but from many of our own people as we'll.
Among these latter is included no less a
personage than Sir Henry Irving, who
has inspected IL thoroughly on two occa-
sions. The frat of these inspections was
Just prior to its com mplet ion, and the sec-
ond but few days since.
Mr.. Irving expressed himself In the fol-
lowing characteristic manner" shall
i say? Unique? 1t is certainly that.
Beautiful? That hsrdly expresses ii.
Perfect. That is the word.o And he
placed that word in writing his'auto.
graph on the visitors register, and fol-
lowed up this greatest of all compliments
by sending his well known manager, Mr..
Bran Stoker, TO make an inspection VITA
view to securing points ''as to how
theater should be run in the front OF the
house." as Sir Henry personally express
sed II.
Now as to the conduct OF the perform
ances. From the first Mr.. Keith has
made ii rule that nothing to which the
slighte objection can be taken shall be
said on the stage. "But," he said, "i.
is the hardest thing possible to elimi-
nate such things. The people who per-
form for me have, Of course, performed
elsewhere, and when they come TO me
they think 1t strange that they may not
say what they like. Ho wever, In defer
ence to my wishes, they do what / ask,
and those who have come again and again
sec whut good roHsous have, because
cess OF the entertainment from a purely
business standpoint"
So he contends that il is possible to
eliminate the Objectionable and unuesir-
able features OF many OF our entertain
ments. Happily, Mr.. Keith can prove
his argument. by being able TO control the
entire situation in all his houses, having
not so much as partner to receive even
suggestions from, although most ably
seconded and abetted by his general
manager, Mr.. Il. Il. Albee, who is in
turn most thoroughly appreciated by Mr.
Keith.
"My. idea." ssid'Mr. Keith, "is TO cater
for the best people, as ! find that In go
doing there is no trouble IN securing
ample patronage. by getting at the best
people you establish permanent patron
age, and IL you please them you may he
sure that sooner or later they will send
you fifty other people. Some rather
lengthy arguments with my managers
have occasionally been necessary, but in
the end the better course has been
adopted and proved. To avoid the OBJ
jeciionable, means constant watching.
Here as elsewhere eternal Wig ilanco Is the
price OF liberty" When asked about tho
Ballet in America, MIR. Keith said tEofo
seems TO be little taste for il there, being
apparently the lightest part OF the perlor-
nance, when introduced in the grand
operas, composed of the worlds best
artists and supported by representative
audiences. "Aiy constant aim rs not 10
allow anything on the stage by word,
dress or action, that Is suggestive OF
double entondTo, or that which could lie
unfavorably criticiso by tDe most exact
ing critic"
MIR. Keith looks for as great an ad.