The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-07
THE PLAYS AND PLAYERS
PARK THEATER OPENS To-MORRow
WITH GEORGIA MINsTRELS.
Empires Opening Delayed Two
Weeks-NOtes ON the New Attrac-
tiOns Coming This Season.

In connection with the appearance at the
Park Theater tomorrow OF the Georgia
Minstrels. the opening attraction CT the sea-
son. it is interesting to know that it is al
most twenty years since r. o. Richards and
the late Charles PTingle concluded arrange
ments for an engagement of their minstrel
company in Havana. No minstrel company
had up TO that time ever appeared in the
Cuban capital. so that the idea and thought
Of gathering in many pesetas rialos and
centaros was incentive enough to help the
young minstrel firm along in closing a con-
tract for their famous Georgia Minstrels at
the Theatre Tacon for nine performances,
which included Saturday and Sunday matt
nees Those who have visited the queen
city If the Antilles claim that this famous
theater is one of the largest in the world.
1t is gorgeous IN it's appointments, has
seating capacity Of five thousand, was sub
sidized by the Spanish government to the
amount of 100000 pesetas yearly, and had
been used almost exclusively for the pro-
duction Of French and Italian grand opera,
large companies being brought direct from
Europe for the purpose. But of late years
the subsidy has not been forthcoming,
hence the opera has been discontinued
The engagement of the minstrel company
Havana the people were jabbering and Won
dering what was in store for them. Three
days delay in getting the costumes, prop
critics: and incidentals through the custom
house caused as much talk as would a cargo
OF diamonds, and when the curtain was
raised on the scene-a circle of sixteen black
faces4-the Havanians were packed in the
mamrloth structure to the number of $500,
including the governor general, Salvido
Jose Gonzalis, all the state and city officials
and the swell set. The people hardly real
lied that they were in front of band of
American laugh-makers until Billy Ker-
sands opened his mouth. Then they saw
where the fun came in, and, although they
could not understand the squibs and jokes,
they seemingly enjoyed the singing and
dancing hugely. The engagement was big
financial success, the receipts amounting to
nearly $4,000 in Spanish money. This was
twenty years ago. and it goes to show how
great are the changes marked by time-the
city Of Havana almost ready to be de-
stroyed by the United States army, while
the minstrel show of twenty years ago has
grown TO large proportions, with reputa-
ton for worth in every section of the
United States.
Richards & Prngle s-Rusco & Hollands
minstrel festival is the outcome of tine old
organization, and will appear at the Park
all this week, opening tomorrow afternoon
The first part of the minstrel programme
will Introduce Harry Fidler, Billy Kersands,
Dan Avery, Bob Kemp, Dick Thomas VIII
Hallback, Buddie Glenn and James Crosby
comedians, together with numerous vo-
calists New coon" songs are promised
to make the first part lively The olio is
made up Of nine vaudeville acts by Arthur
Maxwell. colored trick bicyclst Gauze, the
female impersonator; t1dler Crosby and
Kemp, Mr.. and Mrs. Kersands, Dan Avery
and Lizzie Hardin and Hassan Ben Ais
five Arab acrobats who were with Buffalo
Bilrs show for time.
On Wednesday night no tickets will be
sold, the theater being engaged that night
by tie l.. a. w for the all-night smoker
Five nights and six matinees. however, will
give the Indianapolis public ample oppor-
tunity TO see the minstrels. Seats are on
sale at the Pembroke for the week
The Park has a new playroom for babies
1t is larger than the old one, and will doubt
less 90 utilized this season to the fullest
extent This feature has always been a
very popular one at the Park and its
restotatlon will be a great accommodation
10 TIE numerous patrons. 1t adjOins the
new Sollet room for ladies. which has been
placed in the southeast corner of the build
ing, On the balcony floor.
Local Manager Zimmerman announces
that the Empire Theater will open its sea-
son aug. Y. Repairs and alterations, both
inside and out. have delayed the opening
TWO weeks He claims that the booking this
season Is better than ever, and expects this
10 ba the banner season at that place OF
amusement.
DuFing her engagement with the Manhat-
tan Beach Stock Company at Denver this
summer, Miss Ethel Browning, of this city.
has been playing the title role in Sue
BRET Harte's dramatized story, in which
Annie Russell has been playing to charmed
London audiences this summer The Den
Yer Eouces of the indianapolis actress We're
auuiatory III the extreme, enough to turn
the Head of any but a most sensible little
"oE H. as Miss Browning is known to be.
The membership of the Peters Comedy
Company. which is rehearsng at Richmond.
has been completed by the arrival of George
Iimrons. the well-known tenor singer. who.
the past season, was with the Fairy 5
Well: Company. The company has three
rehefrsals each day.
The most successful run that any Chicago
theaser has had since the worlds fair year
has Just been completed by Jacob Lifts
company in Shenandoah" at McVicker's
Iheafer. Mr.. Lit made very elaborate
revival of Bronson Towards war play, and
~tA-eassNd dN Sood q tOAlpdiN as he COu4u get
together. The play ran for ten weeks TO a
groSS of $4,000, and was taken off at the end
OF tttat time only because the actors Were
tiredt out and would no longer consent to
piay{ Mr.. Lift sends 'Shena ndoah'' on the
road this season, playing the principal cities
only. The company viii be headed by Maui
rice Barrymore and Mary Hampton Barry
more taking the part played by Otis Skin
ner curing the Chicago run. Miss Hampton
and She rest Of the east remain unchanged.
JACOB Lift will have three of the most
talegted women in the theatrical profession
in his employ the coming SEASON They are
Marie Wainwright who plays the leading
role i'm Frank Harvey's Shall We Forgive
Hers" Elita Proctor Otis. who will create
the leading female part in Sporting Life
"A most successful English melodrama which
Mr.. aitt will produce for the first time i'm
this cOuntry at the Academy of Music in
New York early in October and Mary
hampton. who will share the honors vita
Maurice Barrymore in Bronson Howards
greaz war drama, Shenandoah"
Atone in Greater New York" the big
scenic melodrama announced for production
al the Park for three days next week, is
descyibed as a stirring series of vivid stage
pictures of high and low life in Americas
greaR metropolis. carload of special
sceniary is carried and the mechanical ef-
fects are said to be very elaborate Amona
a. lett H.