New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-30
MR.. FlSKE CUTS RATES
THEATRE SEATS NOW $3.50.
As Yet No Other Broadzoay Man
ayers FOUozC His Lead.

Beginning with the production OF ''The Viz
ginian'' at the Manhattan Theatre next Monday
night the price of seats at that theatre VIII be
reduced from the prevailing Broadway rate OF 81
to the rate which more generally prevails through
the country, 81 So The New-York Theatre and the
Majestic at present the only houses on Broad
way where the lower rate prevails. Harrison Gray
Fiske the manager Of the theatre. last night made
the following statement:
am satisfied that a large number of persons
irrespective of the question of personal means,
feel that 81 80 ia quite enough to pay for an
engagement of some great foreign artist, imported
at heavy expense and exploited under continuous
The Introduction of the 81 scale at the Broadway
only by the fact that the public was in an amablt
and generous mood with respect TO theatflcaI
Three or theatres with attractions that proved
to be p9pgr @ b tae h
the public vas willing to pay the ADVANCE sts OF ,bsn
some OF their competitors would place their
theatres in false position in the eyes Of the pup.
that the hS' Class Of his house depended on the
price he asked for seats was on TINS theory torced
placed rate OF seats at 81 while in fact he may
that high rate regularly and without discrimination
to the succeeding attractions of varying values
as that in NeW-York and in Differences to the pub
lie in these cities nearly all the attractions of the
better class that have charged 81 a seat hereto
are this season on their tours Charging 81 %. Il
that tariff Is more equitable in other cities II
certainly also Is more equitable now in New-YOrk
The expenses Of company travelling are naturally
greater than the expenses Of a company playing
ton in theatre rates in New-York would seem 10
be wise and timely.
In several instances have learned that man
ayers, recognizing the facts. DESTROYS to make
the change. but that they fear to act individually
on the ground that reduction by one manager, for
instance, would be miscOnstrued by the public. and
might reflect upon the theatre involved. This is a
narrow and Illogical view to take, and SO far as
81 so rate Is demanded but irrespective OF what
other first class Broadway theatres may Charge
purpose to adopt that scale for the best seats In
the Manhattan Theatre hereafter. beginning with
the engagement of THE Virginian" Tuesday.
January 8. 1 have consulted with Kir5e La Shelle
manager Of THE Virginian." and with the man
ayers OF other attractions that to appear at the
Manhattan, and find that their views entirely ac-
cord with my
Whether any other theatres will follow Mr..
Fiske's example perhaps partially depends on the
success which the Manhattan has with the ex-
pertinent. since the Majestic Theatre is hardly one
of the Broadway houses. playing 1t does only
extravaganzas for long runs. and the New-York
Theatre plays attractions of the Chauncey Olcott
type.
Charles Frohman said that he had no intention
OF cutting rates in any Of his houses. 1T is a
mistake to suppose" he said. that this is a bad
season for good shows; it is as good as any other
as well 81 go And business is never good for bad
shows. You can either get the people for 81
at the present time. it costs 100 per cent to
produce play well than ii did ten years ago.
and no manager afford If he makes first class
productions, to cut his admission rate. The whole
an unusual number of poor plays this season. and
that has discouraged some managers"
took much the same view and said they had no
intention OF following Mr.. Fiske's example Many
be Maubstfan noy riH OF
right move at the right time.