The times., 1899-03-26

In the Academy OF 1mmortals which The
Times has been forming and in which are
already Edward and Charles Mackay
Katherine Mulkins. and Wilton Lackaye.
Managers Luckett and Dwyer created a
miniature sensation in local amusement
circles last week by announcing the exact
receipts for the engagement of Richard
Mansfield in "CyraIo de Bergerac" at the
Columbia Theatre. According to this
sworn statement SIS. .o20.5o was taken in for
the seven performances given, an average
of about S2,145 for each rendering of NJ
Rostand's play. This figure necessitated
the selling of the Columbia's coo orch stra
chairs, and of $50 OF the $50 in the dress
circle at 81, of the remaining 200 on the
second floor at $1.50, and of 222 se1ts in
the gallery at so cents apiece. Something
like 2S4 standing room tickets must then
have been disposed of at 81 each to bring
in the sum named every night.
These remarkable receipts put a great
feather in the Columbia's cap. Despite the
fact that Luckett and Dwyers pace of
amusement is the newest and one OF the
smallest in town, it now hO.ds the record
for big business, no other dramatic at
traction having come within $1,000 of the
amount mentioned when playing at similar
prices. The genial managers of the popu
lar theatre have reason to congratulate
themselves upon the outcome of their
booking.
Charles Hoyt passed through Washing
ton few days ago on his way from + OIL
da to New York. The famous D aywright
has been greatly benefited by his term in
the tropics, and now looks more Ike his
former self than at any other time during
the last year or two. 1t is expected that
he will shortly be in a position to begin
work on another comedy.
Manager Mckee broke into print fort
night since with a declaration that his
partner had not been seriously i'll, and that
both knew that "A Dog in the Mango. ;"
was worthless when the piece was staged
at the Lafayette. This remark sounds
very we'll and looked rather neat in its
published form. but nothing more ridicu-
lous has ever been given out. Investors
in amusement enterprises do not sp nd
money on attractions with the idea OF clos
ing them Immediately, nor do they book
time for the purpose of canceling it during
the first performance of a piece. as the
time for "a Dog in the Manger" was can
celed. Mr.. McKee's announcement does
not bear a single sign of verify. And if it
is true its author has an account to tile
with the players engaged for his offering
and with the audiences that witnessed it.
The end of the season has brought with
it three big first productions, and two of
these are undoubted successes. Julia Mar
lowe has shown "Colinette" in Boston with
remarkable effect, Nat C. Goodwin has wol
the praise of the Philadelphia press with
his presentation of THE Cowboy and the
Lady" and Stuart Robson has at least
created comment by his work in Two
Rogues and a Romance which had its
"Colinette" is a drama by Henry Guy
Carleton. author of THE Butterflies, !"
Ambition" and even of The Cuckoo" It
was in rehearsal when Miss Marlowe was
in Washington. and would have been done
at the Knickerbocker shortly after had not
the syndicate felt the necessity of rushing
E. H. Sothern and The Three Musketeers'
into that house before James O'Neill reach
ed the Broadway. "Colinette" was, there
fore reserved for Boston and has made a
hit 1t will be taken into New York neA
year.
THE Cowboy and the Lady Is the work
of Clyde Fitch, who also is responsible for
THE Moth and the Flame" Mr. Good
win has had the piece some time and
finally decided to try it that he might make
the required changes In the comedy before
opening in it next season. This plan the
actor had successfully pursued with Ma
than Hale" Mr.. Fitchs latest effort seems
to need little pruning and will accordingly
be staged in London when the star opens
there this summer. THE Cowboy and the
Lady" may be given for one night during
Mr. Goodwin's week here.
Theodore Burt Sayre. who turned out
1.-TWO Rogues and a Romance is the
young fellow whose Charles O'Malley'' was
given Its premiere at the Lafayette by VIII
ton Lackaye. Mr.. Robson had the manu-
script when in Washington and it was then
read to Times man. The piece seemed
very melo-dramatic, but still strong Its
future is uncertain. The three productions.
however, have given Importance to an 9TH
erwise unimportant month and will help
to end great season in blaze of glory.