The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-26
QUAINT THEATRICAL
 CUSTOMS IN LANDS AFAR

Cuba. Mexico and the Philippine Islands as theatrical possibilities are considered in this years edition of the Amusement Guide and Directory. which came from the presses yesterday. Quaint and euri- ous is some of the information contained in this volume, but the new chapter re- lating to theatrical affairs in these unde- veloped territories is of exceptional inter- est. There is no chapter upon Porto Rico and no plans are under consideration for including the theaters of that island in an American theatrical circuit, but the theat- rical possibilities of Hawaii are discussed quite freely. and the terms and induce ments offered to take Thespians from Broadway to Honolulu are set forth most alluringly.
 Mexico as a theatrical Eldorado is most enticingly set forth. At the same time American managers contemplating an in- vasion are warned that the Mexican the atrical laws are very stringent, and fail- ure to comply with all the requirements will land manager in jail, along with the actors. The press agent is apparently ex- cluded from Mexico. for the laws compel the actual representation upon the stage of every scene, situation and person de- scribed in the advance announcements. There is no premium upon the inauguration of the press agent as in this country. This however is the only damper upon American enthusiasm. Among the adVan- tages offered by Mexico to tempt Ameri- can attractions is the fact that the Mexi- can government has recently removed the heavy tax upon printing and advertising paper and Autographs. In a few cities, however, a small tax or nominal charge is made for the privilege of billing and advertising. Another inducement for the trip to the City of Mexico is that the rail- roads have recently granted a special the atrical rate to parties of five or more this rate ranging from one and half to two cents a mile. The further information that the managers are now up to date and anxious for good attractions is given. The Mexican newspapers are also described as being generous with space in the treat ment of shows. Spectacular and musical offerings are mostly in demand, because the Mexicans can understand them better. MelodrAmas, however, are reported in fa- vor.
 In Mexico.
 The best theatrical city in Mexico is,
 
 Frohmans of the city seem to be the Ar caraz Brothers, who control the Nacional Teatro, capacity 23O0; the Principal Tea tro, capacity 1700; and the Arbeu Teatro. capacity 1500. The prices range from 15 cents to $3, acording to the attraction. One to four weeks stay can profitably be made in the City of Mexico if the com- pany is a good one and pleases the pa- trons The $3 charge for orchestra chairs, s.H A1a al Mexican theaters, really corresponds to $l.50 in United States money. However, managers accustomed to reporting large receipts can find pleasure in telegraphing back to Broadway the ''Tottle Cough drops broke record last night to $3700 house." This looks well on paper, but in Broadway language means something else.
 Grand opera singers are cautioned to steer clear of Zacatecas, with 75,000 in- habitants, entirely Spanish, because the high altitude, 5000 feet. is very dangerous to voices. The city patronizes opera very well, however, if singers care to take the risk. Companies are warned not to visit the city of Leon, population S5,000, owing to the poverty of inhabitants from recent l floods.
 1 The Mexican government seems to figure 1 largely in theatricals in some of the cities | In Guanajuato, a city with a population of only 60,00O the government has erected | the New Teatro, a magnificent building | which cost $1, GOO, 900. The manager of the , theater is the governor of the city. Ap- | plications for time, terms, etc., should be addressed to him. In the city of Tam pico, the governor of the city is also the manager of the theater, which here Is called the Teatro Diego de la Lastre This city is described as flair for one perform ance." The city of San Luis Potosl boasts of La Paz Teatro, which cost $500, GOO, although the city has only 5000 resi- dents. The manager here is Gen. Carlos Dies Gutierrez. retired army officer. The general advertisement says that the town is a great city for opera and spectacular productions.
 In most of the Mexican cities the local manager demands a fixed rental for the use of his theater in direct contrast with the custom In this country of sharing | terms" The rental demanded varies from | $10 to $50 a performance in Mexican money or from $5 to $25 in gold The Mexican manager is evidently a thrifty individual however, for everything in the way oi service costs extra. In Saltillo, for in ] stance, you can rent the Teatro Acuna | for S2O but you must also pay SIS for tht | lighting. The ticket sellers demand $4 fol their services, and the janitor puts in z | bill for S1 Five stage hands demand 5l cents each. The city taxes are $5S0. Tn, music is charged for according to tht number of instruments. The rent of a pi | ano is also extra. All of these prices art in Mexican coin.
 In Cuba they have many customs siml
 lar to those in Mexico. Cuba has beer
 quite neglected by American managers the
 past two or three years. though right af-
 ter the Spanish war quite theatrical in, vasion was threatened. It is a miserabl,
 country for amusements, however, ant l few American managers will be likely tt tempt fortune there this coming season There is a magnificent theater in Havana | the Payret-with a seating capacity O | 3270. It was in this theater that an enter prising manager tried to introduce vaude | vile to the Cubans and lost a small for 1 tune before he abandoned the attempt Spectacular and operatic attractions far' well at the Payret, after getting there but Havana is so difficult of access fol | theatrical companies that it is entirely | outside the American circuit at present | Companies which play Jacksonville, Fla, l ,I.a t1aav