The times., 1901-03-10
THE PASSING SHOW.


toms theatregoers were last week held up
by ticket speculators and the patrons or
the Columbia were compelled to pay 81 and
$3.50 for the desirable seats the specula-
tors possessed. There was a great amount
of dissatisfaction expressed by those who
arrived at the theatre too late to secure
seats at the boxoffice window, and were
compelled TO make their purchases OF the
gentlemen who haunted the lobby with
punches of greenbarks- and choice orches-
ira seats between their fingers. The spec
ulators were from. New York, and were
attracted to this city by the prospect of an
inviting field for their3 operations during
the Inaugural week.
Their first enterprise was the White
Rats performance at the Columbia on last
Sunday night, for which they laid in a
generous supply of orchestra chairs.
There was not the great rush for the
White Rats show that was expected, and
as a result the spectators were offer
ing their very choicest seats at $50 for any
amount they could obtain. In most in
stances the gamblers were pretty hard MT,
but those who were enabled to buy a $l.50
orchestra chair for 80 cents made no de-
muir and the theatre management did
not have one objection registered against
the operations of the spectators. But
when the crowds began to more than fill
the theatre to witness the Rogers
Brothers performance, and the speCula-
tors reaped their profits, much grumbEng
was heard.
The Capital is, very fortunately remark
ably free from the evils OF theatre ticket
specula tors. and the little money the
brokers made last week did not nearly
recompense them for their losses on the
several attractions that lured them from
Gotham to Washington earlier In the sea-
SON.
be blamed for the spectators becoming
possessed Of dozens Of excellent seats. ANY
person has the privilege Of purchasing as
many chairs as he may desire, so long as
he IS willing to pay the box office tarin
for the bits of pastehCard, which is eX-
actly what is required of the band OF spec
ulatOrs, who run a great risk in attempting
to ply their business in this city which il
famous for its disiuciination TO pay more
than the regular price for theatre book
ings. In the case of the Sarah Bernhardt
engagement, Manager Rapley effectively
! nut the speculative fraternity cOmpfet ely
out of business by his plan of receiving
orders for seats by mail, thus giving his
local patrons an opportunity to secure the
seats they desired before the regular sale
was opened, and limiting the number OF
! son 10 a certain number This is without
/ doubt the best plan for the squelching OF
/ the spectators, and is the only one that
/ will, as matter Of fact accomplish the
/ purpose.
| Stanley Weymans novel, "A Gentleman
! of France" viii be put on the stage next
! season by Liebler & Co, with company
/ that viii be headed by Kyrle BeIlew in
4 the principal part It is also announced
( that Miss Eleanor Robson will be asso-
/ clated with Mr. Beilew. although it was
! supposed that the young actress who is
! this season prominent In the cast of I'm
. leavened Bread" would be seen with Mrs.
I I.cMOVne in her new play.
/ The dramatic version Of the Wcymen
story will be made by Mrs. Harriet Ford
I who is partially responsible for The
| Greatest Thing in the World 1t has been
| ii number of years since Mr.. Bellew was
| seen in America. his last appearances
having been made with Mrs. James
( Brown Potter.
James a Herne. who was recently seen
in his new play. Sag Harbor," at the Co
lumbia, this city WAS compelled to tenn
pOrarily close his season at Reading Pa
/ Tuesday night on account of five members
, Of his company being unable by Illness
to continue in thefrDarts. 1t is eXpecte
, that Mr. Herne will resume his tour a
] week from tomOrrnw mt the Grand Opera
( House Chicago. During his local apDsar-
ancos Mir Herne ItxbressIv consi1erad
bringing the engagement to an abrupt
I termination on accpuU of an almost totaI
loss of voice.
The audiences at 'Chases last week took
| most kindly to the entertainment pro-
yided by Miss Maude Townsend, a new
name to local va8sleyile audiences. Hei
work was characufrized by keen appre-
citation of the Hkinss of the average
! Grand assemblage, aud as a result sh,
was given a copiial reception at each
| appearance. Is ss{
Miss Townsend rather naively con
fesses. that this is htr first season il
vaudeville and the strike of the White
Rats was accountable for her being OF
Manager ChaSe's programme last week
I'p TO the present season she was a mem.
bfr of the chorus Of the Castle Sduar,
Opera Company. located at Chicago
For two years Miss Townsend wcu
through the drudgery of daily rehears;tli
of new operas with nightly performance.
of perfected ones, but all the while sh,
| was on the lookout for Il vaudeville open
ing which according TO her estimate, il
a life of continued peace and happines.
! as compared to an existence as a mem
ber of musical organization that is re
qrired to put on new piece every week
When asked why she turned to tn,
stage for a livelihood Miss TownscnC
/ pointed to a bright looking little char
| Of three years who was peeping through
| a hole in bit of scenery, an interestSt
| and astonished spectator of musica
turn that was at the moment occupylh.
the Grand stage.
"That's my only excuse, she said
A good one" ventured The Times in
| tcrVieWer
repIJed. and she added The only one
| too.
Continuing, she said:
Il one dav discovered that ! had tn
faculty of whistling quite well, and haV
. added this accomplishment to my vaude