The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-16
THEATRICAL NEWS
Topeka Is Still Without Theat-
rieal Attractions.
One of the Best Months In tho
Season Is Lost.
RECINNING OF STARS.
BEGINNING OF STARS.
Famous Players We're Content
With the POrtables.
Sarah Siddons Began With
Company of StrOlIing Players.

The theatrical prospects in Topeka are
far from alluring. The investigation of
the two theaters which has resulted in
their closing has put a quietus on the
amusement situation, resulting as it did
In the closing of both houses-one of
them permanently and the other in
definitely.
There was a decided feeling that the
findings Of the committee might result
in the permanent use of the Grand, but
the people who would like to see a
commodious ground floor theater in To-
peka with a large stage and plenty OF
exits were doomed to disappointment.
There is a feeling that the committee
might with good grace have recon-
mended such immediate Improvements
as would have enabled the management
to keep the house open for it is well
known that the audience Is better safe
guarded in the Grand than in the aver
age theater in the country.
But there is no use crying for the
things that are gone. The Grand is
virtually no more so far as theatrical
uses are concerned and while conditions
may arise which will enable the opera
house magnates to reopen it, this is
not at all probable.
The closing of the theaters has cut
off and deprived the people of Topeka
from seeing many of the best attractions
on the road. January was filled to
overlooking with good things and chief
among them was Lulu Chaser in Dolly
Warden. But there are other months
and other theatrical attractions and
perhaps the local managers may yet
recoup their losses and the theatrical
patrons of Topeka be surfeited with
entertainment.
Wonderfully interesting places are
the English provinces, and some Won
derfully interesting phases Of theatre
cal entertainment are shown there
from time TO time, says the London
Mail
Not that the provinces are denied the
good things of the theater. Indeed, no.
They have their drama served to them
by the notables, they do and quite as
well served as In the American prov
inces. But there still obtains in Eng
land a suggestion of the old-fashioned
show"
Pampered London playgoers, Graded
in warmth and luxury, learned with
surprise the other day that the stroll
ing player-lineaI descendant of that
Mr. Vincent Crummles who gave Mich
olas Nickleby a lifts still on theroad,
carrying his properties behind him.
At the MaldOn police court recently
the proprietor Of a travelling theater
was fined los Sd for performing plays
in a temporary theater at MaIdon with
The twentieth century Crummles
paid his fine with a rueful countenance
protesting that he had wandered fol
years and years with his wood anC
canvas playhouse through the peaceful
villages of England, only to learn fol
the first time at Maldon that all thS
while he had been breaking the law o.
the land.
1t is evident from this statement thaf
country justices are not over eager t
enforce the and Wet, c. IS, s. %
by which unlicensed booths may b'
suppressed as public nuisances and thu
keepers of them fined, and it is, per
haps, just as well, that they are thu
tolerant for if "fit-ups" and 'porta
bles" were too stringently treated th'
gayety of many a remote rural hamle
would be eclipsed.
Strange as it may seem in these day
of new and palatial theaters. there ar,
still strong points of resemblance be
tween the modern "fit-up' and tbs
strolling paraphernalia of Mr.. Crum
niles. the typical transformer in Dick
ems Nicholas Nickleby."
The fit-up still goes on wheels, anC
occasionally coming to a standstill I'm
til Mr.. Crummles gets out and kick
him, and Master Crummles and Smik
are still on the vans in company will
wicker baskets defended from the we
by stout oilskins in which are broad
swords. pistols, pigtails and nautiea
costumes"
One may find dozens of advertise