The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-10-02

was her last theatrical venture and appear
ance.
Miss Davenport was twice married Her
first husband was Edwin H. Price, an
actor, who became her manager. After a
few years of marital discord she obtained a
divorce and married Melbourne Mcdowell
who for some time had been her leading
man. He remained in that position until
she left the stage, and then made arrange
ments to appear this season at the head of
his own company.
The reopening Of the Burbank tomorrow
night under new management and after
structural alterations in the theater will
doubtless attract a crowd. The details Of
the changes made will be found in the
press agents advance announcement in
another column, also a synopsis Of, the
piece Of the evening. Butterflies" Mr..
and Mrs. Sidney Drew who open the house
with their company, have been honored
with favorable notices elsewhere and a
good performance may be expected.
O o o
The new theater at Santa Barbara was
opened last Monday night in an suspicious
manner. The Webster-B Bacon company ap-
peared in Alabama" and an audience
composed of Santa Barbara's finest packed
the house to the doors. The local newspa-
pers speak highly Of the performance and
particularly praise the work Of Edith
Lemmert and George P. Webster.
O O o
Few people reflect upon the widespread
influence Of the theatrical profession,
looked at only from the mere commercial
point Of view. nor IL 1t generally realized
to what extent other professions and
trades depend upon q ll-patronised. sue
cessful, dramatic season, in order that
they themselves may make ends meet.
Some facts given in a late issue of the
Chicago Times Herald by Lyman B. Glow
err, its dramatic critic, about the extent Of
the amusement business in the Windy City
at this time Of year. will be Of interest
MIR. Glover says:
There are twenty-five places Of amuse-
ment open every night at the present time
in the city Of Chicago. OF these, fourteen
are devoted chiefly to vaudeville, the excep-
tions being Hopkins theater and the Dear
born, where drama and vaudeville consti-
tute an irresistible attraction. OF houses
playing melodrama and farce comedy at
popular prices there are six, while Nc
v1cker's 10 conducted at an intermediate
scale Of prices. and Powers, the Grand
and Columbia maintain the standard scale
which has obtained for so long. The clos
Ing OF the Masonic Roof theater and Ferris
Wheel Park at the end Of the present week
VIII signify reduce the aggregate, and 1t is
possible that one or two other places, find
ing the competition too brisk, may lose the
number of their mess nautically speaking,
before long. But 1t js within bounds to as
sumo that at least twenty theatrical houses
will remain open during the winter, enjoy
ing In some cases a very large business and
IN others moderate reward for their en-
terprise.
The naval spectacle at Tattersalps must
he added. during its continuance, to the
general estimate Of entertainment, and
after the middle of October the Chicago
orchestra will begin giving bi-weekly con-
certs to 5000 or COCO people, while during
three weeks In November the Metropoli-
tan Opera company, holding sway in the
Auditorium, may be counted upon to at
tract an average of at least 5000 people
every night.
Without attempting to usurp the func-
ton OF pedagogue, actuary or mathematic-
ian. 1t Is enough for us to reach the conclu-
sion In a more direct manner and, with no
tiresome appeal to figures, conclude that,
with all those who do attend the theaters
ADDED to the other contingent DESTROYS of
attending, but unable to do SO for financial
reasons. at least 80 per cent Of our adult
population must be regarded as wildly
interested in the playhouse or the music
hall.
O o O
Minnie Hance Owens, who has been home
on vacation, leaves again tomorrow for
New York. She will resume her position as
contralto in the quartet singing in "way
Down East" She is billed in the company
with the unpretentsous name of Jane For
est. The other members Of the Quartet are
Caro- Lee. William WEIGH and Edwin Hoff.
Mrs. Owens has also high-sa laried posi-
ton IN church choir, and puts in her spare
time IN studying her adopted art, in which
she Is making rapid progress.
o o o
Pity the sorrows of stock comma n,es
playing in Chicago theaters. A leading
journal Of that city apologies for them as
follows:
II stock company, doing duty twice
every day, and learning a new play every
week, occasionally becomes a tribe faded
there Is small occasion for wonder.
And Chicago Is not the only city where
the actor people have to work thus hard.
And'yet the rush to get into the "profesb"
continues with undated energy.
G. A. DICKINSON,