New-York tribune., 1906-08-24
STAGE In SEAT OF WAR.
OPERA THRONGS\ ARMORY.
Several Companies Rehearsing an
Home of list REGIMENT.


York State. happening to visit the new list
Regiment ArmOry, at Fourth avenue and 34th
street at the present time would be astounded
to find himself greeted with the well known air
from Wang of "A Moon Serenely Mellow
or the equally we'll known song "Toyland"
from the Babes in Toyland.' or a song from
half dozen other operas. Instead OF military
precision and the accOutrements OF war, he
would be met with hundred or over more or
less handsome women. nearly as many chorus
men and stars and principals galore from
number Of different operas.
The reason for this astonishing change from
the real uses Of an armOry is that permission
has been given for the rehearsing of several
different and equally well known operas in
various rooms of the large building The idea.
it is said. is purely phianthropic one on both
sides. 1t is said that no charge is made 70 the
companies for the use of the large rooms they
beng able to save a large expense which Is
usually incidental to the beginning of a season.
In return for the favor granted. it is said the
companies have promised to appear at the
greatly anticipated blowout" as IL is called
OF the regiment. when the formal house warm
ing will take place in the new quarters the lat
ter part of October. 1t is explained how
some of the companies, which will be hundreds
of miles away will be able TO do So but prom
In the rooms of Company A. the largest and
coolest in the armOry. De Wolf Hopper is re-
hearsing his company in 'HappyIand" and
wang" In the rooms of Company B. along
side. Pete DALEY with THE Press Agent"
is preparing for a second season. In the other
company rooms are "Fantana" Babes in Tow
land" Wonderland "It Happened I'm Nord
land" The Earl and the Girl and The Social
Whiri companies. Most of these companies win
traVel ana VIII not play in New York, they being
practically second companies
Colonel Bates has not been nreaar+ o., ,,,,,,,o..
the rehearsing. but Is at his summer homo al
Bay Shore When seem there last rIobt h., ,o-
fused to discuss the subjec: In his place are
left the armorer, the engineer the ianitor and a
rev assistants. They did not have hapDv ex-
pressions yesterday, as the medley of sound
caused by the interminglng of various choruses
did not greet them pleasantly.
The question as to whether the regiment has
the legal right to allow such rehearsals aDpar-
emily had not been thought of by one officer
who asked about it,
why can't they rehearse?" he asked I'VE
don't get a cent, and all there is to it is that
| they will appear at our racket in October Then
| one man who I believe, is an angel OF one of
! the shows, has promised to give the regiment a
| trophy. The regiment will shoot for IL during
| the winter, and it will become one OF the regi-
| mental trophies, the same as many others we
| have. 1 can't see where the harm comes in"
Not member OF the Armory Board which
| controls the and maintenance of the ar
mories in New York City, could be found yes
4 terlay. Attaches at the offices of the board
laughed at any idea OF illegality in allowing the
companies to rehearse. They said 1t was just
| the same thing the police drilling in an ar
morv or school children having athletic games
or games OF basketball. They could not ex-
| plain however. how theatrical companies could
come under control of the city as the police and
schools do.
1t was only a few months ago that the Goth
Regiment found itself in considerable trouble
! over the fact that its armory, at Lexington
] avenue and 25th street had been rented for the
| annual automobile show of the Automobile Club
! of America There such a hue and cry
| against the rental that food show which was
proposed shortly afterward was abandoned and
| the contract forfeited.
member of he staff Of Major General
! Charles F. Roe. the commander OF the National
! Guard of the state. said yesterday that in his
/ opinion the list Regiment ha5 no right what
| ever to allow any private enterprise other than
| some regimental affair TO be aided by use OF
| the armory.