Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-12-19

n COOKING back over the two the
ntrical seasons, one OF which
~ has ended and the other begun
since the FIRST Of the year, IL
mus, be said that the review presents
some sharp contrasts AT the Theater
tea sen On ending June 80 last was the
creates, in the history Of The house
me beginning of the present season.
however from the Henry Miller en-
gagement down to this date has been
one Of uncertainty although Salt Lake
has little reason to complain when her
record is compared with that OF other
sections OF the country Everywhere
else the cry Of poor business is COM
coming UP from the theaters ana
many people think that as the theater
forms a sort Of financial barometer or
index to the pocketbooks OF the peo-
pie, more stringent times may be look
ed for ahead. The approach Of the
holidays, the heavy tax payments. and
perhaps the terrific drain caused by
Ben Hur' have all contributed to
affect theatrical business in salt Lake.
AS far as artistic achievement goes,
the year 1903 has certainly brought us
some of the best attractions that have
appeared IN the country. The list in
cludes Anna Held, william Gillette,
Nance Omen, Mrs Bruno, Mary Man
nering, Nat Goodwin, william IL.
Crane. u. II. Sothern. Amelia Bingham,
Henry Miller Royal italian Band,
"Prince of Pilsen," Ben llur," Robert
Edeson, De Wolf Hopper, Jefferson De-
Angels. and "rhc Bonnie Brier Bush
with Clara Bloodgood and Lulu Chaser
TO come.
Manager PIPER when asked for an
expression OF his views regarding the
theatrical business, said:
II do not think that the causes that
have led TO bad business in New York
can be said to materially affect the
business out here. For instance New
York has been over supplied with thea
tors and just at the time too, when
the Wall street troubles began. AS
consequence, business dropped, but as
] understand 1t, the attractions that
have a strong hold upon the pubic
are doing well In New York and else
where. In Salt Lake. the ben Hur'
business has no doubt affected us since.
better business here than in Denver
or Omaha and the attraction came at
bad time too, The two weeks be-
fore Christmas Is "a season known rs
the worst theatrical time of the year.
II Is the time when people are thinking
OF Christmas matters, paying their
taxes, etc
Il don't believe the establishment Of
so many cheap theaters in salt Lake
will have any effect upon the regular
theaters. They may leave an impress
sion upon the gallery business but not
to any marked extent. Altogether
am hopeful of the situation, and am
satisfied that the theatrical business
In Salt Lake will continue 10 be classed
with the best in the country.
I'VE have made many improvements
at the Theater during the season just
closed, that the public cannot see. We
have put in an entirely new heating
plant; doubled the efficiency Of our
electric apparatus; built a new addi-
tion, containing a property ROOM hve
new dressing rooms supplied with hot
and cold water, and the latest improve
ments, and a large super" room We
have also put down n stone sidewalk
on the east Of the building and spent
altogether upwards of $4,000 in i'm
provements. These improvements have
added TO the efficiency of the Theater
IN putting on big productions and In
making things comfortable for the
players. hope, however TO be able
to do something for the comfort OF the
patrons In the front part Of the house,
next year. / should like to put in an
entirely new smoking room, gentle
mems toilet and lavatory for the front
OF the house and redeoorate the audi
torium. with these additional i'm
provements, the Salt Lake Theater VIII
be In the best possible shape to handle