Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-23

The concerts given by lines and his
band on Monday we're the only events in
local amusement circles during the week
worthy Of more than the mere passing
mention already given In these columns.
Unfortunately for Mr.. lines and those in
terested in the hnancia success OF his tour
The enthusiasm usually so marked amongst
The musical people Of this city was some
b dormant, and the engagement opened
and closed TO ridiculously small business.
In marked contrast to the small patronage
bestowed upon the lines concerts, Belas-
cos Heart Of Maryland" a melodramatic
scrap picture OF rather ancient lineage
filled the theater nightly during the latter
half Of the week. while at the orpheum
each Of the ten performances Of the week
were given before large audiences. Such
Is public taste and, like the wind, one can
never tell Just when and how 1t Is going
90 change. One week melodrama appeals
60 IL successfully; the next. 1t must be
tragedy, romantic drama. music OF variety,
and 30 on through an entire season It goes
changing with every new amusement fad
that comes out. About the only line Of
amusement that seems to be permanently
established in the good graees OF the the
ater-going public is the comic opera or
musical comedy. This the people seem
never to tire OF and we're there enough
such organizations travelling one might
naturally expect the management of the
local theater to book little else during a
season.
For the week opening today two new
plays are offered. This will at least break
the monotony of repetition, even IL little
r. known locally Of either the plays or COM
panies that are to present them. Both
come we'll recommended, lnasmuch as each
has enjoyed popularity in the east for two
seasons past Rose COghlan, who comes
the latter half Of the week, will bring old
plays, although ones in which Omaha
people have never had IN opportunity OF
seeing her. Miss Coghlan has not been
seen here for more than ten years, having
appeared at the old Boyd in 1890, when she
was seen in "As in a Looking Glass and
"Jocelyn."
The present season SO far has seen the
production of fewer successful plays In New
York City than any in many years. One
of omaha's prominent business men and
regular theater- goers returned last week
after having spent several weeks In the
metropolis. Commenting upon the theatre
GaA kualAC NhOAO AO 0aAaH
three plays running in New York now that
can be called really great successes, and
less thar a half dozen that are staying
on their merits. During my stay there /
visited all OF the leading theaters and found
only four of them doing a complete bust
ness. They were the Criterion, where Mrs.
Leslie Carter is appearing in David Bel
asco's new play 'Du Barry The Garrick
with Charles Hawtry, the well known Eng
fish actor, in "A Message from Mars and
the Republic, where Mrs. Patrick Campbell
"a appearing in repertoire. II is almost
impossible to get seats at any OF these
theaters unless one pays q Spectator a
fabulous price for them. Naturally. when
/ arrived i commenced to make inquiries
rs to what was the best play on the boards
and which ! should see first There seemed
20 be very little difference Of opinion among
the residents there everyone telling me
10 see Mrs. Carter's 'Du Barry without
delay. I went to the box ONCE bent on Sc
curing tickets for the evening perform
ance and you can imagine my surprise
when Il was told that every seat In the
theater was sold six weeks ahead. / con-
suited a sidewalk specuiator and was told
that he had a few choice seats for the mid
die OF the next week at $40 each. Almost
the same situation existed at both the Gar
rick and the Republic, and I did not get
60 see either of the big successes until
the second week Of my stay.
such a production as 'Du Barry I have
never witnessed In my twenty-odd years
of attendance upon places of amusement,
and / do not believe that such a splendid
one has ever been made before. And Mrs.
Carriers work in the title role is simply
beyond my description. Those who thought
her so good as 'zaza' should see her 'Du
Barry Comparing her work in the two
parts would be almost like comparing that
OF an amateur to a professional.
at was my privilege to make the &C.
uuaintance. through a friend of mine who
happens to be In the theatrical business
Of David Belasco while In the metropolis
naturally he Is enthusiastic over the sue
cess Of his play and was quite talkativt
about 1t. He said that It had cost hin In
the neighborhood OF $50. 900 besides the
time he had spent upon It. which in writ.
ing and otherwise preparing for produc-
tion amounted to nearly q whole year. II