The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-06

w w. Bittners theater company
made a failure of an effort to make
summer theatricals go in Butte, but
Mr.. Bittner may find some consolation
in the knowledge that other good men
before him also made failures of it.
Repeated attempts have been made to
keep the Grand opera house open dur
ing the summer season with popular
priced attractions, and the expert
ments proved expensive in each in
stance. The people, for some reason,
do not take to summer indoor enter
tainment in Butte, and it has also been
made evident that they do not look
with favor on the idea of giving the
Grand over to cheap-priced attractions
This is no reflection on the merits of
the Bittner company, which Is as good
as many companies that played the
Grand at regular prices last season
and much better than others, but 1t
argues that Mr.. Bittner would proba-
bly, have had as large audiences and
much more money if he had charged
the regular house prices.
George w. Lederer has brought suit
against Lillian Russell for $4,000 dam
ages for a breach of contract because
she decided to go under the manage
ment of Weber & Fields. In the allie
cations of his complaint Mr.. Lederer
recites that the defendant is a vet
eran in the business" and that she has
been in 1t for score of years. He
says she is "a distinguished actress
and singer, a great artistic acquisition
to any manager" and that she is
possessed of superlatve personal at
fractions, both in face and figure" and
that she will attract patrons to thea
ter who will not otherwise be influ-
enced to attend, and that no substitute
can be obtained, for the service de-
mands her exclusive individuality"
The plaintiff calls attention to the
fact that Miss Russell has been mar
ried lat divers times, to various per-
sons, among them being Harry Bra
ham, John Chatterton, Edward Solo
mon' and that in addition to being
known as Mrs. Braham, Mrs. Solo
mon, Mrs. John Chatterton," she has
been known as Miss Nellie Leonard
and Signora Perugini,"
He further declares that in the
month of February, 1899, he entered
into a contract with Miss Russell to
sing under his management in various
cities in this country and Canada, and
that he went TO great expense prepar-
ing for her appearance therein
The papers further say that Miss
Russell "whimsically and capriciously'
on April 10. 1893. refused to carry out
her part of the agreement.
Mr. Lederer says he spent $4,000 fol-
printing: that the damages to various
members Of the company, etc, aggre-
gate 1000: that the damages charge
able against him by the owners OF
theaters with whom he had contracts
for Miss Russelrs appearance are UNI
known; loss of profits, $4,000; and
damages to plaintiffs professional
prestige. So 500.
Now that Days New York theater
has passed into the hands of Charles
Fr1hman. the position OF Ada Rehan
IS somewhat uncertain. With the
Shnkcspearean scenery. properties and
wardrpbes in her possession it may be
supposed that she viii make such use
Of them as ler talent and ambition
would suEgcst She will no doubt be
seen as star in the Augusta DAILY
adaptations Of the Shakespearean
comedies with which Miss Rehans
name is associated, 1t NAV be pre-