The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-21

tion OF physicians resulted in the aban-
doning of the tour and a determination to
undergo another operation.
Mr.. E. B. Jack, Mr.. Reeds manager,
takes hopeful view of the situation and
makes the announcement that his star will
not be compelled to remain away from
the stage for more than three or four
weeks.
Frank ID. Coyle. gentleman with an
enviable reputation in the theatrical
world, has assumed the management OF
the Bijou Theatre, succeeding Charles p.
Salisbury, who recently resigned to enter
the service of Henry Savage, of the Met
rcpolitan Opera House, New York City.
Mr.. Coyle comes to Washington decidedly
well recommended as an energetic and
widely experienced Snowman, having dur
ing the past twenty years handled num-
Der of enterprises, and all in most sue
cessful manner His aim will be to con-
tinue the liberal policy that Proprietor
Wegefarth has already inaugurated at
the Bijou, both as to the standard OF at
fractions in the burlesque line and also
as regards the attention given to the
patrons. Mr.. Coyle is Washingtopian
and has wide circle of friends here. who.
no doubt, will be pleased to learn OF his
return to his native city. There is no
question but that Mr.. Wegefarths in
terests at the Bijou are in very capable
hands and that the theatre will continue
to flourish under the new and efficient
management.
General Representative Morris s.
Schlesinger, who has been here in the
interim, has returned to Buffalo, to re-
sumo the direction Of the Court Street
Theatre. in that city. During Mr.. Schles-
myers brief stay here he has given the
advertising service of the Bijou Theatre
his earnest attention, and there is no
question but that the results of his we'll
directed efforts will in the very near fu-
ture be in evidence.
"Marcelle," the romantic play by Eu-
gene Presbrey, in which blanche Walsh
was expected to startle thea;resoers
this season, must be classed among the
failures OF the year. The production at
the Broadway Theatre was anything
but successful Whatever chance for
success it may have had prior to
its coming into the metropolis was
FROST bitten by tho cold-storage criti-
cisms of the metropolitan critics on the
morning following the first performance.
Many Of the reviewers went so far { s to
charge Mr.. Presbrey with dsl b rately
lifting" several scenes from Glib ,i't
fParker's story of early Quebec, THE
Seats of the Mighty" which also proved
q failure when utilized for stage purposes
several years ago.
Mr.. Preshrey has been very prolific Of
late years in turning out plays that have
proved unsuccessful. Time was whe h }
was accounted one CT the ablsst OF native
stage managers. His play "A Ward OF
France" written in conjunction with
Franklin Fyles. the New York critic ard
playwright. proved an utter fiasco when
first produced although it has since been
revived and has won plGudits from popu-
lar-priced audiences.
Another attempt of Mr.. Presbrey's to
hit the bulls eye of dramatic sue. ess
was shown in "a Virginia Courtsh p,
written for w. H. Cranes use. but the
playwright's endeavor went wide CT the
mark. and Mr.. Crane soon abandc ned tho |
piece.
His latest effort, "Marcelle." will be
replaced by Miss Walsh with NOR Than
Queen" the play in which Julia Arthur
appeared last season Miss Walsh's man
ayers have secured the entire prcdu ton
from Mr.. Cheney. Miss Arthur's hu5t and, !
ard it is announced that 1t will be pro-
duced at the Broadway Theatre as soon
as the company can be rehearsed suffl-
GENTLY to guarantee satisfactory per-
Torrance.
Mr.. N. Hashim, the managing director
Of the Hashim circuit Of theatres. which
includes Roster G Bia's, New York: the
Grand Opera House in Philadelphia. and
the Academy of Music in this city. ar
rived in Washington Wednesday. When
seen at the Academy by Times repre-
sentative, Mr.. Hashim said:
Il am very much pleased with the sue
cess of the Academy, and my promise at
the beginning Of the season to present to
the theatregoers OF the Capital bills of
fashionable vaudeville. composed only of
the best acts obtainable in Europe and
America, seems to have borne good fruit,
for the business since the opening week
has been steadily on the increase. I shall
remain here a few weeks. during which
time l shall direct the workings of my
other houses from this city"
A radical change in the seating capac-
ity of Chase's New Grand, which is Of
more than ordinary interest to the thea
TRIGGERS, is being considered by Manager
Chase. Briefly. it is the advisab lily OF
charging the capacity of the house 100
seats by converting the gallery into q
second balcony. putting into it comfort
able and attractive chairs, and furnish Z
ing it as handsomely as the first bal
cony, commonly called the dress circle.
Access to it would be had By elevators
leading from the lower parlors.
The plan contemDlates that persons
buying seats for that part of the house
will enter through the main lobby, and
that every seat will be couponed In
speaking OF the contemplated change, Mr.
Chase said last night: /
You know it is my hobby to please The +
public. and l have regretted exceedingly
on several occasions t. see people turned
away from my theatre, unable to obtain
seats. / have never advertised my GAL
lery for the very simple reason that IL
/ can fill the lower floor and first bal
cony. l would much prefer to provide
amusement for that class than to feel
under obligation to look after the tastes
of gallery audience. Therefore. I have
not encouraged the growth CT the gallery
attendance The crowds this week re-
vived tho subject in my mind, and on
Thursday night and again Friday and to-
night, when very large numb r Il per-
sons preferred TO sit in the gallery ra her
than take standing ROOM the idea sud-
denly dawned on me that here h,
lcng-sought solution. 1t is cas- ly posi-
bic to convert the gallery into soccId
balcony.
"All the large theatres in other cities
have such a place. provided with reserved
seats. which are always filled with ladies
and gentlemen.
THE gallery. or second balcony has often
in the past held some of the best people
in the city at Saturday and holiday matt
nees and during the grand opera season
There is no prejudice against it. and re-
fitted and furnished in the elaborate and
expensive style that favor. with elevators
providing convenient access, l am positive
that the second gallery would rival every
night. in the number of playgoers in 1t,
either the first balcony or the dress cir
Gle" |