The herald., 1897-08-01

becoming gradually systematized in
engagements will soon be able to make
contracts which will embrace a tour Of
the whole Of the United States. So far
as what Is called the western circuit Is
concerned, engagements just concluded
between some Of the foremost managers
will result in the coming to this coast
of the best Of every thing that Is trav-
cling in the vaudeville line. The war
that was almost begun between Messrs.
j. D. Hopkins and George Castle on the
one side and Gustave Walter on the
other side has been brought to the basis
of an amica BILE understanding. 1t appears
that Mr.. Hopkins, who is known as one Of
the controlling spirits Of the western
circuit, thought that he would like to
reach out as far as San Francisco and
made arrangements for esta blishing
himself there. Mr.. Walter, to return
the compliment, made arrangements to
plant himself in Chicago, whereupon Mr..
Hopkins, seeing his trick was trumped,
sought to make peace, and the result is
that circuit is now completed, which
embraces five Chicago houses, two in
st. Louis. one each in Pittsburg, Gin
cinnati and Milwaukee, and the Pacific
coast houses in San Francisco, Los An
geles and Portland, in addition to one
house in Indianapolis, arrangements for
!, ;,1, I,ax i,,e.t Ia
establishment Of this circuit, business
move which is the direct result of Mr..
Gustave Walters business foresight and
energy, the public will probably receive
the shape of amusements, as the man.
ayers are now In position to offer long
er engagements than they were able to
do heretofore to the various artists who
have adopted the vaudeville boards as
a profession. The consideration of
long engagement will have quite an i'm
portant influence with European attrac-
tions, and we may reasonably expect un-
der present arrangements to get the
very best Of everything that Is to be
had. In addition to his interest in the
new combination, Mr.. Walter has en-
gagged the American theater In New
York, which was built for T. H. French
and is located on Forty-second street
and Eighth avenue, where he will con-
duct an enterprise of similar character.
1t seems likely that while the vaudeville
managers are enabled to offer longer
engagements that they will be little
more than human If they do not take ad-
vantage of the opportunity to scale
down the absurdly extravagant prices
which they have been paying to the peo-
pie who pose as artists in these the
aters. 1t is no uncommon thing for the
salary of from $500 to s4OO per week to be
paid to a single performer for twenty
minute turn, and the salaries in excep-
tional cases run very much higher. 1t
s no wonder, therefore, that, having in
view the uncertainties Of the drama, the
labor and thought and pecuniary out
lay involved in the production Of play,
30 many leading actors and actresses
have been induced to accept the certain
ties of vaudeville and its comparatively
light work for the uncertainties and
hard labor of the legitimate stage.
When people who have always hither-
to been regarded as the high priests and
priestesses of the dramatic temple are
seen to be wandering off by the dozen
and worshiping the false gods, 1t offers
the most convincing proof of the radical
change that appears to be taking place
in the public taste for amusements. the
taste which is displayed in a desire for
the lightest and briefest and quickest
changing form of entertainment. Every
thing that demands thought, reflection,
analysis, is tabooed by the multitude
and even the regulation three-act farce
comedy, with all its buffoonery and
laughter moving absurdities, cannot
hold its own in the scale of attractions
against the popular niger monologists,
a pair of comedy acrobatic clowns and
a shrill chanteuse with pretty legs and
frock abbreviated at both ends.
The Mirror says: Before burdening
busy men and women with unsolicited
manuscripts it would be wiser and fair
er for embryo playwrights to secure the
opinions of disinterested persons quail
fed to give them a sound judgment.
Some such sitting process ought to be
adopted in order to relieve stars and
managers Of what is often a mere an
noyance."
The advice given by the Mirror is no
doubt well meant, but it doesn't go fa1
enough. Embryotic playwrights in large
numbers would no doubt be glad to do
as is suggested in the above quotation.
The difficulty, however, lies not so much
in the finding of disinterested persons
OF sound judgment, as to know who are
the persons whose judgment the man
ayers themselves would respect as tast-
ers. Are there no persons in the business
OF reading plays for consideration, and |
whose certificates would insure manag-
erial attention? AS the Mirror is the |
guardian and mentor of the dramatic |
profession, it would do a service to the |