Los Angeles herald., 1905-07-02
MRS. GARTER To
STAR IN LONDON
WILL OPEN NEW PLAYHOUSE
FOR DAVID BELASCo
FINE STRUCTURE is PLANNED
II VIII Be Named for the American
Manager and viii BE Lo-
Gated In the West
End
speclal cabIe to The Herald.

Special Cable to The Herald.
LONDON, July 1.AContracts have
been signed by which it is definitely
settled that David Belasco will become
London theatrical manager.
A new theater is to be built for Mr.
Belasoo and the autumn OF 1907 will
see Mrs. Leslie Carter opening the new
playhouse.
Mr.. Belasco, with B. F. Roede, has
been in London about ten days. The
American manager lunched recently
with Bernard Shaw at the latters
country place at welwyn, and the
same evening was entertained at din
ner by Beerbohm Tree in the beautiful
dome of His Majesty's theater, many
well known people being among the
guests.
Mr.. Beasco has been interviewed
by the newspapers here and got In q
little fling at the theater syndicate
which has attracted attention and ed
itorial comment.
Speaking about his new theater, Mr..
Belasco told me he was to have carte
blanche as to construction, arrange
ment and decoration.
Mr.. Belasco's Plans
'I am unable as yet to disclose many
particulars about the project" said
Mr.. Belasco. 1.-The playhouse will be
in the West End. The company with
whom L have signed the contract has
unlimited capital and has done me the
honor of naming the theater after me.
Mrs. Carter will open the playhouse
with a new play. All my other stars.
including Mr.. Warfield, will come over
here. The building will be small, as
/ don't believe in large playhouses,
but somewhat larger than my theater
ir New York. I have some new ideas
as to stage appliances and decora-
tions, and shall carry them out. The
contract Is to run during my natural
life, or so long as am capable of con-
ducting the tffeater. 1t is stipulated
| shall direct no other playhouse in
England or be interested in any other
theatrical venture here. AS to the ar
rangement Of the building, the interior
will be radically different from other
London theaters. I have been going
about since my arrival visiting differ
ent ones. and seeing plays from the
orchestra, gallery and pit. When get
back to New York I shall begin shaping
my ideas and completing the designs
before the work of construction begins.
Defect in London Theaters
"One criticism I have to make about
London theaters generally is the lack
of central aisle, making necessary
sometimes, to disturb a dozen or more
persons to get to ones seat.
II have made up my mind to retain
the pit, which here is traditional. There
10 no use antagonizing the public by
trying to abolish it. I have taken the
trouble to sit in it, and find 1t is the
heart and soul of the general theater-
going public. When it is pleased one
may be sure one has a popular success
on the stage. 1t is not only intelligent
but very artistically inclined. 1t was
telligent criticisms of actors, actress
es and performance and to witness it's
quickness in picking out the errors of
the performers and the weak points
cf the play. I shall make the pit
comfortable and clean, as is not now
the case in some theaters. and hope
to make it as attractive as any part
OF the house."