The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-20
A WAR OF THEATERS'
Five Houses Will Probably Be Run
ming Next Fall.
THE SYNDICATE VERSUS scHL1Tz
Lyceum to BE Opened with n Stock
Company to Meet New
Rival.

Minneapolis is to have a rather lively
time of it, speaking from theatrical
standpoint, next season. In all PROBABLE
ity five theaters will open for business
the first week in September, the Metro
politan, the Lyceum, the Bijou, the
Dewey and new theater to be erected
In some central location, probably on
Washington near First avenue S, by the
Schlitz Brewing company of Milwaukee.
Both the Lyceum and the new house will
be run as stock theaters of the first
Glass; and prospects for theatrical war
are Of the brightest.
Yesterday the Syndicate Opera-house
company which controls the Metropolitan
theater in St. Paul, and the Metropolitan
and Lyceum here, and whose president
owns the Minneapolis Bijou and st. Paul
Grand, leased strip of ground fronting
on Hennepin avenue and adjoining the
Lyceum on the south. Jacob Lift, presl-
dent of the company, and his associates
in the twin cities have decided that they
can no longer afford to ignore the inva-
sion of the Schlit: company arr have de-
cided upon retaiiatory measures.
The Dewey theater, controlled by the
Schlitz people, has been competing strong
ly with the Bijou. Over in St. Paul the
Star has similarly affected the Grand, an
other Lift house. Recently the announce
ment was made that Schlitz would, this
summer. erect theaters in each of the
twin cities, to be run in connection with
houses in Milwaukee, Omaha and else
where. That Mr.. Lift and his associates
are preparing for fight to maintain
their grasp upon the local situation can
not be doubted
It is said that the Lyceum will be COM
pletely renovated. and provided with ad-
ditional exits this summer. Manager L.
N. Scott has made definite proposition to
Daniel Frawley to open the theater in
September with permanent stock COM
pany. Mr.. Frawley says he will probably
accept the proposition, If the business of
the Frawley company at the Metropolitan
this summer is satisfactory.
The schlitz Plan.
The new schlitz house will present
stock plays of high class, the various
companies alternating through the sea-
son at each house in the circuit.
Mr.. Frawley said this morning. tkat If
he accepted Manager Scott's offer, he
would probably start out with the inten-
tion Of making the Lyccun the home of
polite comedy in Minneapolis, producing
the DAILY line OF comedies,
Unless these plans :miscarry, the Met
ropolitan will present travelling combina
lions next season. The Lyceum will have
a resident stock company. The Schlitz
theater will offer travelling stock, while
the BlJou ana .DeWey VIII continue 10 De
run as they have in the past. -. 4
Why Stars Don't Come.
It is reported, too, that the Schlitz in
vasion has just begun and that the plans
| now under way are designed simply as a
feeler. St. Paul has hitherto prevented
Minneapolis from getting the best road
attractions, because .first-class theaters
| in both towns are under the same man
agement, which has steadfastly refused
| to book company here unless St. Paul
| booking could be secured also. St. Paul
| is by no means as good a theater town as
| is Minneapolis, and the result has been
| that many stars of the first magnitude
have refused TO come here.=~,!- 80 r--yIf