The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-05-17

= ENERAL Charles s. Burton, who
IT has just returned from trip to
the east and south, was greatly
impressed by the manner in which the
theatrical season has fattened out. In
St Louis he saw several high-grade
productions. and none of them drew
enough money to even apprOXimat ely
pay expenses one all-Star OmbinatiOn
had house with les people in it. Nance
O'Neil, who was in St. Louis at the
time General Burton was there, had a
magnificent audience. consisting of
eighty-siX persons the night he saw
her.
This would seem TO indicate one Of
two things Either the people are run
nlng short of amusement money or they
viii not patrOnize any attraction. how
ever excellent, when the weather be-
comes a trifie warm. Perhaps the dull
business is to be accounted for partly
Tor both of the reasons assigned The
atricaI attractions are always first to
feel the effects of a money famine.
When economies are necessary those
who usually so to the theatre twice a
week so only once or nor at all. The
same thing is true of those who 90 less
often. It is a sore deprivation to some
TO be compelled to stay away from the
theatre. but that is better than cut
OPINION
OF a large percentage of the public
In view of the reports brought back
by General Burton, the poor business
done by the local play houses of late
Is not so surprising. Mary -Mannering
s. has a great reputation in salt Lake
but. with a new play and a clever one
she failed to draw more than very Ordi-
nary houses. Charles 3. HanfOrd al
most played to empty benches. Indeed.
there has not been what might be called
first-rate business in the Salt Lake the
atre since along in March.
The same is true of the Grand. Not
since the Murray & Mack engagement
has the patronage there been such as
to warrant the management in figuring
seriously on the purchase of large. new,
red automobiles Charles D. Herman
and the Warde company closed the sec
ond week of their enga cement at the
Grand last night At every performance
dozens Of vacant chairs have been visi-
bic. Last nights house was probably
the best Of the agement, but none
of them has been very profitable.
Nevertheless, the local theatrical sea
son has yet a long time to run. The
Grand viii almost surely remain open
until July 1, at least, and the Salt Lake
theatre has attractions strung along
practically until the opening Of the
=
cludes a number of first class attrac-
tons that have closed successful runs
in New York city and other eastern
metrOpOlises. and are now touring the
west. We are yet to have Nat Good
win. +. H. Sothern, ". H. Crane,
Amelia Bingham and. in August, Henry
Miller. This is not the order in which
the attractions win come, but they are
al coming.
Preparations for the Tom Show" TO
be given by the Press club of salt Lake
City about the middle OF next month
proceed apace. sometimes two PAGES at
a time. H. L. A Gunner. the well known
artist and business man. who, ii will be
remembered, was manager of the Home
Dramatic company during the most
prosperous times enjoyed by that IA
nous organization, has kindly consent
ed TO act as stage manager He viii
be assisted in putting on the finishing
touches by that other able salt Lake
theatrical manager. H. @. Whitney. It
may be said here and now that moth
ing so screamingly funny as that tom
Show is going to be, has ever been
pulled off, in Salt Lake.