The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-24
Interesting vaudeville History.

Fashionable vaudeville it is presented
at the Grand has taken such strong hold
upon local heatergoers that short resume
Of its history is apropos at this time. The
amusement title vaudeville is a misleac-
ing one to very many of the theatergoers
Of America. Originally French word
meaning s'singers of comic songs" ii has
become anglicized in the amusement world
To compare vaudeville as Ii is known to-
day with the vaudeville of fifteen years
ago would be to invite comparison be-
tween all that is great, artistic and most
Northy in the form of amusement with ali
that is small, devoid Of merit and talent,
gaudy and cheap.
The uplifting Of vaudeville in talent and
morality, and the broadening of its scope
Of amusement features, is primarily and
mainly traceable to the efforts of the Asso-
cation of Vaudeville Managers or the
United States. This now great purveyor OF
vaudeville, perceiving something really new,
meritorious and great in the then undis-
covered realm of theatrical offerings, start
ed in moderate way TO win from the
Various legitimate ranks artists of moro
than ordinary ability in their respective
lines. Noting that their efforts won a
more than moderate appreciation from their
patrons, they persevered in their policy,
and, aiming higher and higher, gradually
hut surely, by great financial Inducements,
lured from the dramatic, musical and oper-
attic fields the best of those three great
professions. Combining this talent with the
greatest in the line of gymnastic, equili-
bristic and trained animal acts, together
with other special features, which have for
their base electric light effects, vaudeville
tecame the entertainment par excellence of
the Gay. The naming here of a few celebrl-
ties who have been induced to forsake their
chosen field of work to enter the new pro-
fcsSiOn of vaudeville. Will SubStantiate the
claim that no star is too great or salary too
high for their consideration. Jessie Bart
lett Davis, the famous contralto, formerly
the star of the BoStOnians, who Will soon
appear at the Grand, receives the muniii-
cent sum of 81 900 weekly Camille d Arville
who is also an early attraction, receives
the same amount for her services from
the various vaudeville managers in whose
Houses she sings. Other artists who have
played or will play here, and in the various
vile, may be mentioned: Camilla Urso;
Remenyi. the great violinist. who died while
playing upon the stage of the San Fran
cisco Orpheum; Felix Morris, who has also
joined the silent majority, and who was 4
great drawing power in vaudeville Divide
appears here soon; Rose Coghlan, Minnie
Seligman, Marie Wainwright, Robert Hill
Hard, who has just closed his engagement
in this city; Maurice Barrymore, Patti
clever little comedienne; Patti Rosa, Fanny
Rice. who makes her initial appearance IN
vaudeville in this city at the Grand this
week in Nell Gwynn; Cora Tanner, Louis
Massen. Pauline Hail. Hilda Thomas, Dor
othy Merton, Carroll Johnson, the Nine
Nelson family, Phyllis Allen, Laura Burt,
Julia Kingsley. George Thatcher, Bobby
Gaylor, Anna Boyd, Lizzie and Winnie
Ealy. Patrice, Digby Bell, Della Fox, and
a long list of famous names familiar TO
local theater patrons by reason OF their
appearing here at the head of their OWL
Gonna MES