Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-08

OF3EftA H0uSE-Wedneeday night.
All reports from New York charac-
terize the present season there as the
greatest from financial point of view
in the history OF the theatre in that
city. All of the successes are coming
money and managers who, a few years
ago would yell from the house tops
when they had a six thousand dollar
week, now look upon eight or nine
thousand dollar on a week as matter
of course. All of the leading theatres
have increased their prices and the
odd part of it is that strangers who
rebel against paying dollar and
half to see play in their own cities.
give up two dollars and frequently
two dollars and a half without MUIR
muir in New York Every seat on the
lower floor at the Knickerbocker,
where Crane is holding forth. is 81.
and when that floor is filled, which it
is eight times a week, it represents
over LOO. There are two balconies
to this house, and it can readily be
seen that when the house is filled there
is over $4,000 in the box Office. OF
course it is impossible for a SCAR to
play to any such figures outside OF
New York
Probably the most successful melo-
drama on the stage this season is
"Cubas Vow" which is booked for
the Grand Opera House tonight. It
possesses all the elements that appeal
to the theatre-loving public, and that
it has been appreciated by audiences
all over the country is we'll attested
by the fact that it had successful runs
for the past two seasons. This year it
has been rewritten and number of
scenes introduced that bring it thor
oughiy up to date. The war with Spain
and the events that led up to the same
afford a wide field for the exercise Of
the ability of the playwright and it is
not to be disputed that ]. J. McClos-
key, the author, has struck the popular
chord and reaped success such as is
accorded to but few dramatists of the
present day. Every lady purchasing
a reserved seat ticket will receive a
handsome souvenir in the form of an
ivory finished bust of Lieutenant Hob
son, hero of the Merrimac
The proverbial hospitality of the
South and all its innate chivalry are
superbly depicted in Thomas T. Davis
and William T. Keogh's intensely fas-
cinating drama, Down in Dixie"
which is to be seen here at the Opera
House next Wednesday, December
14th. Down in Dixie tells a most
romantic story in splendid stage
setting. The adventures of a beautiful
Carolina girl who has contracted a
romantic clandestine marriage are eX-
emplified with rare stage craft. The
host of darby characters and the
pickaniny band which also appear give
some of it's most delightful aspects of
Southern life.
At the Grand Opera House during
the first half of next week, the fun
niest of all laughing shows, viz:
"McDoodle's Flats;,'' will occupy the
stage. The comedy will be presented
by Rice & Barton's comedians. headed
by the Gleverest Irish comedian on the
stage to-day, ]. X. Mullen, who will
be seen in the leading role Of Roger
McDoodle." This part gives him
ample opportunity to display his YER
satility, and that he is successful 10
evidenced by the generous applause
and hearty reception every time he
appears on the stage. In his support
are the following high class comedy
and vaudeville artists: Annie Dunn,
the charming soubrette; Berry 4
Hughes, musical eccentrics: Miss
Florence Clair, ingenue: Joseph Les
lie character actor; Miss Grace War
rem, vivacious soubrette; John T. Han
som, the clever comedian; Misses May
Cook and Nellie Hamilton, in popular
selections, and a large and we'll voiced
chorus in all the latest and most pop
ular music of the day. The comedy
was written for laughing purposes
only, and is guaranteed to please even
the mot blase of theatre-goers.