The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-15

never before n the history OF the
atrical business has the opening
months of the season been so fTaught
with disaster to travelling companies
as has been this case up to the pres
ent time this winter.
The reason for this is manifest,
however, and the travelling manager
has no one to blame for this condition
but himself
Managers have not taken into con-
sideration the fact that the amusement
seeking public in the provincial one
night stands has become educated, and
that the frayed ends of Broadway sue
cesses presented by casts of incompe-
tents, that once were ablet to please
VIII no longer do.
All lines Of business have during the
past few years enjoyed an unusual
prosperity that seems to have worked
up to the place where the climax has
been reached this year. This doubtless
has in a measure Influenced money
mad" theatrical managers to believe
that the public would still continue 70
bite on everything that came the3
way.
The country has been flooded this
season with attractions Of all sorts
good bad and indinerent.-and in or
der for all the companies 10 secure
bookings for all their time II has be
come necessary to fill in almost solid
time in all the little towns and cities
that have heretofore been handling
but one or two attra ctiOEs week. or
occasionally more. Most of the towns
in Kansas with a population OF more
than 5000 have been getting many OF
the so-called high class attractions
that have played in Topeka and Kan
sas City.
Then, too many Of the attractions
on the road. under Dretense Of being
a high class production have been in
the habit Of asking the same admis
sion price that is customary for the
really recognized attractions of merit
hta
as elsewhere has therefore come to
discriminate carefully in selecting the
attractions that it feels are deserving
OF their support. The public has been
''stung'' so frequently in recent years,
under the system that has been built
up IN the theatrical world, that in
most localities 1t has become necessary
for attractions to be quite well-known
to attract an audience sufficient in
numbers to prove profitable to the
company manager
a Iong-sunering amusement loving
public in all sections of the country
has been suFfeited with mediocre at
ira ctions till they have become a thing
to be stunned. Consequently it is only
the recognized stars and attractions of
which the public has definite and con-
vincing Information that are patron
lied
For this reason the dramatic peri
odicals and the newspapers are every
week chronicling the closing of dozens
of attractions. and the reports from
broadway" indicate that the actors
are walking back home in droves.
This multiplicity of theatrical ven
lures has had its effect, too, on the
really meritorious attra ctions and ac-
tors of note Only this week, notice
has been given out that JEFFERSON de
Angels. one of the best known stars.
has closed his latest success in the
west THE Girl and the Governor" on
account of not being able to secure
desirable bookings
VIM Crane recently abandoned a
trip Of one nights. Raymond Hitchcock
has closed his tour in Richard Hard
ing Davis THE Gallopers," and the
files of the dramatic papers will doubt
less disclose more than a score of fail
ures already this season in which the
best players have been involved.
One reason that contributes to this
condition Is the fact that there has not
been an adequate supply OF meritor-
ious plays to keep pace with the de-
mand.
Possibly a dozen companies have
disbanded in Topeka already this sea-
son. This has not been due. of course
to bad business in Topeka. but because
the companies have reached Topeka in
q precarious condition brought about
ceding Topeka in their respective itin-
eraries In fact. the business in To-
peka has been remarkably good, con-
sfderinc what 1t has been in the towns
and cities in this vicinity, and IN many
instances the companies have held to
gether till they reached Topeka in the
hopes that the receipts here would be
sufficient to buy tickets to the respec-
tive homes for the players.
A few of the known quantities
have attracted what might be termed
capacity houses" at the local theater
thiE season, and business has been fair
for nearly everything that deserved
good patronage There have been but
few instances OF small audiences for
really good shows. and on the whole
things have averaged UP well locally.
Many attractions of the popular priced
variety have had slim business, but the
season Of repertoire at 10, Is and 25
cents bids fair to prove remunerative
to all concerned and gives that class of
theatergOers an opportunity for activ-
ity.
The Christmas attraction at the
Grand theater Is a musical piece called
Little Jack Horner."
Ellen Beach Yaw, who won fame a
number OF years ago as a soprano OF
phenomenal range, will be heard in a
song recital at the Auditorium Thurs
dav December 20. Since the earlier
spent years in acquiring a more thor
ouzh knowledge of the art Of singing,
and she is now said to add to her un-
precedented number OF notes a degree
OF skill which was not formerly pos
seszed by her
January 3 IS the date set for the ap-
pearance here at the Grand theater of
1.-THE Squaw Man" which ran with
VIM Faversham IN the cast at Wal
lacks theater in New York for seven
continuous months. No more lasting
story told in such a thrilling manner
has ever been placed upon the stage, /
md this Will be the last opportunity to /
see it in ibis section, as the contracted
engagements elsewhere will keep 1t on