The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-05

milan Burlesquers;" s'Dick" German, AL
Hampton. Nellie O'Neil. Jessie Vhlars
| celia Frank, and several other wei
known artists will head the organization
and it is said that the performance vii
prove to be exceptionally rich In comedy
The company is claimed to number on
hundred. Among the features is the La
dies Military Band. composed OF mem
bers of the lady orchestra, which Mr.. VA
osten presented with his production o
Miss Philadelphia in this city rev
| years ago. The most surnstuous produc
ton of living pictures which has eve
teeu presented Miner & Van Osten CLAIM
| To have provided as one of the principa
| attractions of the production. and they
| lay much stress on the fact that they
| have secured Lenore White, n Caiifornis
| beauty. as the star of the series.
| The preliminary spring tour of The
| Devils Daughter" will end in washing,
| ton. The Bijou Theatre will be reopeneo
for the event from Saturday. May Is. &c
1 Saturday. May 25, and on the following
Monday the company VIII inaugurate
/ what is expected to be long season In
! Buffalo.
! Harrison Grey Fiske's press representa-
| tive writes to The Times that something
definite and authoritative is at last an
nonnced as to the Manhattan Theatre,
| New York City. The future management
of this theatre has been a subject for gos-
| sip involving various persons ever since
the announcement of the proposed retire
ment Of its late holders. 1t seems that
| negotiations that have been pending for
| some. time with the owners of the proper
ty have Just been concluded, and that
Harrison Grey Fiske, editor of the ORA
matte Mirror" has taken lease of the
theatre for a term of years.
Mr.. Fiske says that as there has lately
been no frst-class theatre in New York
II In
luence of the theatrical syndicate. the
step he has taken was necessary in order
to ensure stage for independent pro-
auctions.
The Manhattan will remain closed until
next autumn In the meantime the house
will be extensively improved. The pur-
pose Is to transform it into a theatre suit
able in every way for artistic production
and work. To this end. both the auditori-
UNI and the exterior will be treated, while
the region behind the curtain will be i'm
proved and equipped with every modern
device and appliance for the highest grade
of productions.
1t goes without saying that the Manhat-
tan hereafter will be devoted primarily to
Mrs. Fiske's productions. although upon
occasion it will be open also to indepen-
dent artists of a high standard Mrs.
Fiske may be expected to play long an
nual engagements in New York City, but
according to present arrangements she
will be seen annually In the spring In sew
has had several advantageous tenders
from London, in which city it is her wish
sooner or later to appear. Her plans have
been made so far ahead for this country,
however, that she has been unable to ar
range for visit to the English metropo-
lis. and for the present, her attention will
necessarily be confined to New York and
the other important cities of this coun-
try.
ne arrangement that has been entered
into will enable Mrs. Fiske to carry out
long-cherished plans for the regular pro-
ductiOn of new dramatic works 1t is the
purpose, in short. to make the Manhattan
Theatre. under its new management,
first-class place of amusement of digni-
fed purpose, and its scope will have every
aid that an artistic direction can suggest
and provide Mrs. Fiske's enga cement in
the tall will be marked by notable new
production, and IL is probable that more
than one new work VIII be put forward
during her first term in the house. Mrs.
Fiske's productions will be of both for
eign and American plays, as eircum-
stances determine; but her preference
always has been for American drama,
and all things being equal, she will con-
tinue with that preference.
Mrs. Fiske has been noted among other
things for the artistic excellence of her
supporting companies. Her coming to the
Manhattan, it is said, will be signalized
by the assistance of a company of greater
strength than any with which she has yet
been associated. The opening of her sea-
son In September will see the production
of the first of a series of important new
dramatic works controlled by Mrs. Fiske.
the work upon the scenery and costumes
for which is already under way.
Much to the liking of lovers of dramatic
art may be expected at the Manhattan in
the new circumstances of the theatre. The
new management offers no statement be-
yond this general announcement of plans
and policy, except an assurance that in
the future the patrons of the theatre will
not be annoyed by ticket SPECTATORS
this house will from the first be taken;
and a promise that the orchestra of the
theatre under the new management will
be larger than and superior in skill to
any that thedtreROerS are accustomed to-
A marvellous transformation of the New
Grand into summer vaudeville theatre
has been planned by Manager Chase and
it will emerge from its winter attire next
Monday week. 1t will probably be the
most complete and beautiful change ever
wrought in a theatre to make it place
of comeliness. GOODNESS, and comfort dur
ing the sultry evenings of summer. For
this purpose the Grand presents unusual
natural advantages. it being Isolated from
other buildings on all sides, with great
and exits that will catch a breeze
straying from no matter what quarter of
the compass. Even without any special
change it would prove agreeably cool, as
its spaciousness and situation are unsur-
passed in this city and give it a degree of
from the heat
Notwithstanding this, Mr. Chase intends |
to improve every opportunity afforded |
him in order that the Grand shall be at |
tractive not only because of its agreea- |
BILE auditorium, but, as well. because of its |
summer attire. A florist has been given |
carte blanche in designing the floral garb |
Of the theatre. The lobby. the drawing !
room, and the reading parlors will contain |
banks and inches of fresh flowers and |
plants. the choicest products of dollhouse |
and garden. F'lowerng vines springing |
from great pots will wreathe all the audi |
torium pillars and balcony ratings and |
fasteu their tendrils upon the ironwork |
If the western platforms outside the thea |
ire. Pretty willow furniture will replace |
he gilt and mahogany chairs and divans |
now in use. Japanese shades and por- |
ieres will hang at all the doorways. The |
10 view from the outside by Japanese |
shades with gaudy lanterns lighted by |
electricity hanging overhead Electric fans |
throughout the interior will |
vide eNpanse of trees and shrubs on the |
White Lot to the west. The boxes and |
,alcony rails will be draped with gay and |
,iry fabrics and the parlors will be redo- |
lowers in the windows and inches
As permanent special attraction |
Manager Chase has engaged Hungarian |
orchestra to supplement his regular corps
II musicians. These foreigners will be
stationed on the elevation leading to the
main entrance to the auditorium, oppo-
lite the check room. and beginning at 1870
,ach evening will play until the regular |
performance begins. The intermission
viii be of twenty minutes duration, dur !
ng which the hungarian musicians VIII |
esume their efforts. After the perform
NEE. they VIII continue their playing so |
he l