Evening journal., 1903-05-26
PLAY HOUSES
To Be IMPROVED
Season Just Passed Has Been
Successful One From
Every Standpoint
ONE NEW THEATRE TO Be BUILT

The theatrical season closed in Whining
ton on Saturday night after one Of the
most auspicious years in its history and
when 1t opens next year a new era viii be,-
gin Every theatre in town will present "a
different appearance and will be greatly
improved The play-going people of tho
city will have a better opportunity than
ever before Of enjoying the productions
that will visit here.
Never have so many people attended
theatrical performances as this year and
the doors of the play-houses were closed
with a satisfactory feeling by the manag-
ers, who feel that not only have the crowds
been larger but the plays better.
The most important change win be the
handsome new theatre OF W. l.. Dock
stader, now being built on Market street.
1t will be one of the handsomest an the
| city. 1t will be opened about the first Of
September, and the cream OF vaudeville
will be presented there throughout the
winter.
To the builder of this theatre has been
given the name of the Father of Vaude-
Vile in Delaware and right wei does he
deserve It. For several years he has been
giving the people Of Wilmington clever
shows but has been Handicapped by a small
playhouse. Now that he is settled In one
of the best sites in the city and his promise
TO present the best in vaudeville is ample
proof that he VIII meet with the success
he so justly deserves.
The Grand Opera House will be renovat.
ed before the opening of another season.
Plans for dts Improvement are alrealy
working in the minds Of the committee
] rrslen an oh,
Philadelphia and New York On a few DAYS
to look at the theatres in those cities ant
determine what to do here. When III,
doors Of the playhouse are thrown oper
for the initial production in the fall a fal
different interior Will be presented thar
was viewed by those who saw Romeo and
juliet" the closing attraction on Saturday
night. Manager Baylis win continue t,
manage the theatre next season, which s.
Ia itself guarantee Of the excellence OF
the performances that VIII appear there.
The greatest surprise Of the past season
in local theatrical circles was the opening
and subsequent success Of the Lyceum
For many years managers have come her,
with promises Of what they were going [,
do in this pretty little house. but ON ac
count Of an unsavory reputation whicl
clung around it, did no. remain long an,
as a consequence the place was withou
a manager more than half the time. Non,
Of Them were successful in inducing ladie
/, to go there. and when Manager Ed. Salte
for Burt Stair and Haviland came her,
and began renovatlng the place the allege
wise ones shook their heads and gave tn
theatre from one to three months to clos
dts doors upon another failure. but the,
reckoned without their host. BY careful
]. managam6nt Mr.. Salter soon had the con
hdence Of the people and the season close,
3 with the audiences made up principally o
ladies'.
Several changes viii be made in this coz.
little house during August and next sea
sons opening win find it credit to tn
city.
Tho theatre abandoned by Mr.. Doekstad
er at Seventh and Shipley streets for hi
new place, it is reported, will be conducte
by out-of-town parties next season as
, vaudeville house, giving Wilmington NOR
I theatres than ever before.