The times., 1900-12-30

atre is Lulu Glaser in her new opera,
Sweet Anne Page" which went into
New York quite unostentatiously and re-
ceived fattering press reports. Miss Gla-
ser is popularity known as a former as
sociate of Francis Wilson in most of his
recent productions.
Miss Glaser believes that she possesses
large enough personal following to make
her starring tour paying investment,
and If all the favorable notices that come
to hand about her opera are true Wash
ingtonians may look for an unusually good
performance, even if she does mo-
nopolize the lime light and the middle
Of the stage. These are stars preroga-
tives, and isn't Miss Glaser a star?
Roland Reeds daughter, said to be a tall
ented young woman, whose life has been
principally spent in convent, announces
that she will soon enter upon a stage ca
reer. The debut of Isadore Rushs daugh-
ter, Carolyn White, as an actress, was cut
short by the Illness OF Mr.. Reed. in whose
company she was playing an ingenue role
If Mr.. Reed receivers sufficiently to ap-
pear on the stage next year il is not inn
probable that both his daughter and the
child Of his leading lady will be members
Of the same organization.
Is the public becoming weary of bur-
panies that visit Washington?
Manager Thomas Van Austen, of the AL
Reeves company. believes the end of bur-
lesque In its present form Is rapidly ap-
preaching, and that next year will see a
radical change in most of the houses that
have been for some time devoted TO this
kind Of performances. This is Mr. Van
Austen's view Of the matter:
There is no denying it, the burlesque
pie have been surfeited with burlesque and
extravaganza, and the fact that there are
not over four houses in the country that
are making money with these shows is
pretty good evidence that the audiences
want a change. The so-called burlesque
has had it's day and because the few men
who first tried this type of entertainment
made q lot OF money for a few seasons
dozens Of irresponsible managers tried
their hands at the business. The result
was inevitable. There was Immediately an
overproduclicn. and this led to a combina-
tion of managers. one of whom is Mr.. Ker
nan. of Washington. to take steps 10 weed
out tie poorer attractions and offer il the
future none but the very best of the tray-
cling burlesque companies.
THE great rls;ake that the managers
have made is the belief that the men who
come into the theatres that play burIesque
WI Sldlu lucs viii
not concede that their audiences are men
of intelligence who primarily come to the
theatres because they want relaxation, be-
cause they know that they can take OFF
their coats if they SO desire and enjoy a
smoke and al the same time be entertained.
A person who visits half a dozen different
performances will fail to discover anything
new in any OF them. The first will please
him, tho second afford a mild enjoyment,
- -.
bills of exactly the same type, with their
old worn out jokes and frayed songs,
he will come to the conclusion that q bur-
lesque show is a thing TO be avoided. You
can't blame him. either, for he pays for
something that he does not get.
There is only ene remedy. in my opin
ion. for the present deplorable state of af-
fairs. The bur1esque houses will either
organize their own companies and present
different vaudeville features each week or
else play pieces like The Telephone Girl
The Girl from Paris and similar produc
tions. that at least boast Of a semblance
of a plot. The former plan is being seri-
ously considered by a number Of man
ayers Throughout the country, to whom I
have spoken regarding their next years
attractions. and ] understand that there
will be several shows on the road like the
Casino offerings One thing is certain: You
VIII see a great cHd0Re IN the DufltsQue
shows before many days"
Persons who attend the turlesque houses
week after week viii recogn le the truth
of Manager Van Austen's remarks concern
ing the quality as well as the quantity of
the average performances.
David Belasco has made the announce
ment that the new piece In which Blanche
Bates will soon become q star under his
management is q dramatization of Under
Two Flags" in which the actress will ap-
pear as Cigarette, the camp follower. The
part. it is said. viii AFFORD Miss Bates
splendid opportunities, and under the
coaching she will receive from Mr. Be
lasco there is small doubt as to the cut
come.
The city that viii first see the play has
not been officially named yet. but those
on the inside aver that Washington has
been selected by Mr.. Belasco. partially
because he first presented "Zaza" and
Naughty Anthony here and also be-
cause Miss Bates is so popular in this
city.
Mr.. Paul Wilstach. a former local dra-
matte writer, and for the past few years
the press representative of Richard Mans
field, contributes very entertaining ar
ticle on the methods OF the theatrical box
York magazine.
The article concludes with few para
graphs concerning speculators in theatrical
tickets, and Mr.. Wilstach observes:
Ticket speculation is subject on which there
is widespread ignorance and abundant Indignation.
The purchaser who comes promptly when the
sale opens, or within a day or two, Is rarely
heard to protest. He has equal chance with all
comers SPECTATORS or no. So has everybody
else only the others don't avail themselves Of the
Collision" Without venturing TO enter upon
any discussion OF alleged fraudulent instances Of
between manager and curbstOne specu-
lators, consider how easy it is for these mer-
chants to possess themselves OF fair portion OF
the cream OF the tickets. The hour OF opening
the sale is an advertised fact. public property.
These men are expert in preludging the probable
demand for certain seats for certain attractions.
They govern themselves accordingly. II there is
any indication that the line up will begin. say.
six hours before the sale opens, they are watch
ing it more carefully than any other single PR
chaser They take places. or engage others to
hold placcs for them; and if there is rule limit
ing the number OF tickets TO be sold TO each
they multiply their representatives
in line in proportion TO the number OF seats
they want. They are there, standing on the"
privileges purchasers, and on the fair rule Of
FIRST come first served What right has the
manag ment to refuse to sell them seats? How
is the management to distinguish between spccG-
lators and bona hde pltronsY
Various measures have been taken in different
cities to suppress the theatrical ticket specuator
one manager secured the passage OF city
making il misdemeanor, punishable
by imprisonment and fine, for anyone TO sell
tickets to public entertainment at price in
advance of the advertised figure. Another man
ager secured an ordinance nakng it obligatory
on all ticket sellers 10 obtain an annual license
The cost was very large, but he paid it cheer
fully for occasional speculator could afford
the license, and he himself could not sell with,
ou; it, For yesrs well known manager had
A.. l..I- 1t eald II