Omaha daily bee., 1905-06-25

Summer has made little difference in
Omaha, unless 1t be that the theaters are
running more steadily than they did during
lhe winter. The cool nights have been very
much In favor of the indoor attractions and
the Boyd and the Krug have been quite
busy In consequence. The Lilliprtians at
the Krug did not receive the patronage the
uuality Of the offerings merited. This COM
pany of little folks has real merit, besides
being a distinct novelty in its way, and
those who did visit the theater during their,
engagement were we'll entertained. AT the
Boyd the Ferris Stock company is still
drawing crowds at each performance and
is pleasing the patrons. The offerings dur
ing the last week were hardly such as APP
peal to the popular taste. 'Du Barry" was
a heavy, almost soggy, piece. lacking in the
essentials of dramatic force and apparently
devoid of purpose, seeing that 1t begins and
ends no place, distorting history without
affording a reasonable excuse. The Ouida
story told for the latter half of the week
has the merit of conference and probability,
even if II does present a series Of pictures
locally incomprehensible because OF the
difference in atmosphere and temperament
Moths" affords opportunity for crea-
tive acting, the development OF a character
as the story progresses, phase that is
denied in the 'Du Barry" offered; in the
latter piece each of the several individuals
who move through the play spring fully
developed and equipped into the action at
the very beginning and proceed with math-
ematical precision to foreordained goal,
thus defeating the purpose OF the play.
.
The visit OF o. d. Woodward OF Kansas
City, president of the Woodward Burgess
Amusement company, during the week was
for the purpose of closing some contracts
for the new Burwood theater. After con-
ference with Vice President Burgess the
contracts for the interior decoration, the
stage fittings and practically everything
but the electric wiring were let. The roof
trusses are being placed in position now
and the theater will be under roof within
ten days. Then the work OF interior con-
struction will be pushed with all speed.
Fuchs s. Fuchs OF Omaha will do the deco
rating the sketches showing a beautiful
color scheme OF green, gold and ivory, The
chairs which will be Of the latest pattern.
will be upholstered in green. The stage
will be equipped with an asbestos curtain
Of the latest make and additional protection
IN the shape OF an automatic sprinkling de-
vice, which will flood the stage at any time.
Is also to be installed. Eight hundred feet
Of hose will be distributed through the
building as a further precaution. The whole
plan Is TO make the theater absolutely fire.
proof and TO provide for the comfort and
convenience of all Its patrons. II is ex-
pected that the house will be opened early
IN September with a permanent stock COM
pany under the direction OF Woodward 8
Burgess.
The outdoor production OF "As You Like
IT," for the benefit of the playground fund
which Miss Lillian Fitch has been ar
ranging, promises 20 be one OF the delights
of the summer season. The theater choseT
tor the production is In one of the boskN
dells of Hanscom park, the shrubbery a
the east end of the upper lake being Sc
lected as the background for the actors
the stage being merely the sward OF th'
park, the proscenium the blue vault above
arched in by the overhanging boughs OF th'
fine old eims. and the entrances and exit
marked by branches. The auditors will
find seats on the hillsides that SURROUND
the spot as II nature had intended ther,
20 make an amphitheater. The hour TO
the production. 6:45 is one that will Civ,
the most charming atmosphere to the play
allowing it to be presented mostly in tn
waning light OF day, only the CLOSING
scenes requiring the introduction Of arti
fetal light. The young folks who are II
the cast, and some OF them are clever in
deed. have entered into the preparation
for the performance with zeal and hav
worked earnestly TO perfect themselves q
the play. Miss Fitch has devoted much at
tention TO this, TO the end that the piec
may be smoothly presented. One OF tn
features OF the affair viii be the singin
Of the songs. NJ. Thomas ]. Kelly ha
arranged new music for these and Nj