The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-22
A DECADE AGO.
II Was Then Mr.. Keith Began His
Managerial Career Here.
First to Introduce High Class Enter
taiDments at Popular Prices.

Ten years ago Mr.. b +. Keith began his
phenomenally successful career in this city
as n theatrical manager and from that
day, March q, 1887, TO the present time he
has not disappointed the thousands of
amusement seekers in this vicinity IN the
slightest degree. His name is synonymous
with good faith and therein lies the key
note of his wellmerited prosperity. He came
To this city practically unknown with
brief record as capable manager in Bos-
ton and now his name Is n household
word. In many homes the week would
be Incomplete without visit TO his first
class theatre and his opera house rs rccog-
nized as one of tho institutions of the city.
This great measure of prosperity is not
merely "A happening II Is the result OF IN
finite pains, the reward of complete
thoroughncss in the smallest detail. A
visitor may make the closest scrutiny of
the most remote corner and even the most
exacting housewife would not come in con
tact with anything 10 find fault with.
This spirit of thoroughness is also pos
sossed by Mr.. T.. II. Albee Mr.. Keith 5
general manager, who has been right
hand man and confident since Mr.. Keith
began to cater 60 the public's desire in
the amusement field. Attention to detail
has been the business motto and every
attache of the theatre understands that
this is prime requisite.
The 10th anniversary Of Mr.. Keith S
advent i'm this city is therefore worthy of
some public attention ana The News Is
only too glad TO pay its respects in com
mon with that largo class of citizens who
appreciate wholesome amusement with
entire freedom from everything objection
able on the stage or in the house. Man
agcr Keith secured the old Providence
Museum, now Lothrop's Opera III ouse,
March 81, 1887. IL was then known as a
''freak' museum. He changed the char
acter of the entertainments and gave comic
opera i'm the upper hall and vaudeville in
the lower hall. Here he inaugurated his
original idea Of giving popular priced en-
tertainmcnts and the schedule of prices
was 10, 20 and 30 cents. 1t was "a popular
idea and it has since been adopted in
nearly every city in the country. He
changed the name Of the house to the
Gaiety Musee, and after a year or more of
encouraging success he leased Low S
Opera House.
This enterprise met with hearty re-
Spouse from the citizens. The house was
opened to the public May H. 1888, under
the name of keiths Gaiety Opera House,
and from that time to the present il has
been regarded by theatrical managers all
over the country as one of the best places
i'm which To secure an engagement
Profit was as good as guaranteed. The
bill for the opening night was the opera
entitled "Gironc Girolia, with strong
variety company in addition. change
of opera was made each week with some
of the most capable vaudeville. artists in
the profession until the end of the season
I'm July. During the summer many
changes were made and shortly after
"Gaiety'' was dropped from the name
Of the house and it has since been known
ms keith's Opera House.