The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-10
THE PASSING SHOW.

For the first time this season Washing
toms theatregoers were last week held up
by ticket spectators, and the patrons Of
the Columbia were compelled to pay 81 and
81. for the desirable seats the specula-
tors possessed. There was 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 greenbacks choice orches-
ira seats between their fingers. The spec
ulators were froms New York, and were
attracted to this city by the prospect of an
inviting field for heir 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 hit
but those who were enabled to buy $3.50
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 ill
the theatre to witness the Rogers
Brothers performance, and the specula-
tors reaped their profits, much grumbling
was heard.
The Capital is, very fortunately, remark
ably free from the evils of theatre ticket
Spectators. and the little money the
brokers made last week did not nearly
recompense them for their losses on the
seN eral attr ,c.iOHs that lured them from
Gotham to Washington earlier In the sea-
son.
The management Of the theatres cannot
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 tariff
for the bits of pastehoard, which is ex-
actly what is required of the band OF spec
ulatorS, who run great risk in attending
TO ply their business in This city. which is
famous for its Discrimination to pay more
than the regular price for theatre book
lnes. In the case OF the Sarah Bernhard
engagement. Manager Rapley effectively
put the speculative fraternity completely
ont of business by MS plan of recefviuf,
orders for seats by mail. thus giving his
Iooal patrons an opportunity to secure the
seats they desired before the regular sale
was opened, and limiting the number of
chairs that would be sold to any one nor
son TO a certain number. This is without
uoupt me pest plan for the squeching of
the speculators, and is the only one that
VIII, as matter of fact, accomplish the
purpose.
Stanley Weyman's novel, "A Gentleman
of France" will be put on the stage naxt
season by Liebler & Co, with company
that Will be headed by Kyrle ReIIeu I'm
the principal part. 1t is also announced
that Miss Eleanor Robson will he asso-
clated with Mr.. Bellew. although IL IVas
supposed thst the young actress who is
| his season prominent In the cast of Tn !
laaNened Bread would De seen with Mrs ,
LcMoyne in her new play.
The dramatic version of the yVcvrnsn
story VIII be made by Mrs. Harriet Ford, |
who Is partially responsible for The |
Greatest Thing In the World" IL has been |
n number of years since Mr. BelIew was |
seen in America, his last appearances |
having been made with Mrs. James |
Brown Potter.
James A Herne who was recently saen
in his new play Sag Harbor." at the CO. |
lumbia, this city, was compelled to tenn
close his season at Reading PA
Tuesday night on account of five members
Of his company being unable by illness
10 continue in thdfreparts 1t is exnected
that Mr.. Herne VIII resume his tour n
week from tomcrrnw nj the Grand Opera
ances Mr. Herne. expressly considered
bringing the engagement to an abrlInt
termination on account of an almost total
Oss of voice.
The audiences at Chase's last week took
most kindly to the entertainment pro-
tided by Miss Maude, Townsend. a new
lame TO local va1sleyiile audiences. Her
work was characterized by a keen appre-
eiation of the hknsS of the average
Grand assemblagG and as a result she
was given a copaial PERCEPTION at each i.cia
appearance Il ~
Miss Townsend rather naiyely CON
'esses that this is htr first season in
and the strike Of the White
Rats was accountable for her being on
Manager Chase's programme last week
Up to the present season she was a mem
Der of the chorus of the Castle Square
opera Company, located at Chicago
For two years Miss Townsend went
through the drudgery of daily rehears.lls
VI new operas with nightly performances
If perfected ones, but all the while she !
vas on the lookout for a vaudeville opcn-
ng. which. according TO her estimate. is
life of continued peace and happiness
rs compared to an existence as a mem
,er of a musical Organization that is re-
lIIired to put on "A new piece every week
when asked why she turned to the
;tage for livelihood Miss Townsend
pointed to bright looking little chap
# three years who was peeping through
hole in hit of scenery, an Interested
md astonished spectator of a musical
urn that was at the moment occupyin-
he Grand stage.
That's my only excuse She said
"A good one" ventured The Times in
crVieWer.
The best one l have" Miss Townsend
epied. and she added, THE only one,
oo."
Continuing. she said:
Il one day discovered that | had the
atulty of whistling quite well. and have |
dled this accomplishment to my vaude-