Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-06-04
LeanderRiCh0rdSOn'S Letter

Special Correspondence

Special Correspondence,
NJ Ew YORK. May SO,--The sud-
M den and unannounced death
| Y of The Man from china al
the Majestic theuter last Sat
urdey nlght illustrates the passing Of
at least one theory that has been po-
tentlal In the production Of plays for
the past two or three years. what arc
technically known as big shows for
a time became so very popular that q
number Of managers began 10 believe
success was measured purely by the
amount Of money invested, Melville
B Raymond, who was the man behind
this latest spectacular representation,
was victim to the impression ! have
described, lie engaged a biz company
and spent a lot of money for scenery
and costumes which apparently he re-
CARDS as Of far greater importance than
the librettO and score Of his piece. A.
a result the first night performance IN
New York tel Hat, and Mr. Raymond
and bis associates began too late the
task Of building UP the quality OF tho
entertainment The losses that have
been sustained through The Man from
lhlilH Nit tHAlUbltN W llNNN N'NN
between $50 600 and $4,000 There was
no scandal connected with the abrupt
termination OF the engagement, for not
alone were all the outstanding obliga-
lions cleaned up, but the salaries OF the
company for two weeks In advance
were paid without an audible murmur
on the part OF the management From
the Bit Of history here written II is
apparent that the public Of the present
moment demands something besides
handsome clothes, brilliant scenery
pretty girls and well known comedians.
II wants an Ineligible book, and a
score which. If not Of monumental
merit I'm a musicianly sense, Is at least
tunefuL jnging and easily remem-
bered. There has been 80 much trash
I'm the musical comedy line that re-
acton has set In, which may increase
the difficulties OF managers for the time
being, but win ultimately make for the
benefit Of the stage In this particular
branch.
There's story to the effect that
George w Ledercr may remove his
new summer show, The southern
ers." from tho New York theater to ths
Majestic, This step Is contemplated for
the reason that a big roof garden en-
tertanment has been organized for
the upstairs portion OF the New York,
20 begin week from Monday night,
and II is thought that there may be
something of "a clash Of interests II the
two performances are carried on In
the same building. The Majestic has
shown itself 10 be a very popular es-
adjustment IN summer as well as dur
ing the regular season 50 that the
N.a
this environment would In no sense
tend TO It's injury THE Southerners'
is undoubtedly one Of the best and
brightest pieces IN all the long list OF
frivolous gayeties promoted by Lederer
II is full Of life and the quality called
ginger" and its song hits are so nu-
merous that the audiences are kept
busy applauding them almost inces-
sanity. Considering the weather con-
dtions, which have sent many New
Workers. scuttling off 10 the seashOre or
mountains, the patronage has been
large, and II has certainly given the
stamp Of It's emphatic approval TO the
undertaking, The aggregation Of show
girls assembled by Mr. Lederer for
1.-THE Southerners" shouldn't be passed
over without word Of comment They
are OF the quality that the manager In
question seems better than any other
amusement puryeyor TO understand
bringing together and setting of ut
their best Their different types of
beauty are sharply contrasted and they
present q picture Of animated lowell
ness very widely differing from the boz
vine stoldness Of most girls hired to
stand about I'm statuesque attitudes and
maintain a mastery silence.
The final splitting up of Weber and
Fields, now an accomplished fact, was
rather sickening AFFAIR at the New
Amsterdam theater last Saturday
night. After the conclusion OF the final
performance ~ the company the cur
tain was rung mp and pretty much ev-
erybody was called upon for a speech
They an told the same story OF how
much they loved one another and how
filed with anguish they were at the
thought OF parting Even Mr.. Weber
and Mr.. Fields Joined I'm the general
wall Of regret, and shook hands
with each other by way Of conVlnc-
ing the crowd that there was
no III feeling between them Probably
when II was all over each of the two
tor-managers heaved a big sigh OF
relief and expressed In silence his
thanks that the chickering's and wrang-
les OF the past few years had reached
their end. Mr. Weber Will now turn
10 management, az which he has de-
veloped a great deal Of skill, and Mr..
Fields will carry out his cherished am
hilton TO he an actor OF distinguished
F1,tk 600 ,t,nu nff lNphpr Ia "a