The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1907-01-04
AUDITORIUM IS BOUGHT
THE HusE PUBLISHING COMPANY
MAKES PURCHASE.
A. 3. BEALL SELLS THE THEATER

An Effort Will be Made to Bring to
Norfolk Glass Of Theatrical Attrac.
tons Worthy Of the city's Support
and Confidence.
The Norfolk Auditorium was sold
late last night by A, b, Beall of Sioux
City to the Huso Publishing company
of Norfolk. The change in ownership
will become effective the first of the
year.
Mr.. Beall. who has owned the thea
ter for several years, had been anxious
to dispose of it for some time and he
came to Norfolk yesterday to either
sell or close up the house. This an
nouncement suggested the purchase
to the new owners, by reason of the
fact that the Auditorium adjoins The
Daily News building on the north, half
of the north wall of The News build
ing having been donated toward the
building of the theater originally.
1t was thought that Norfolk would
support her theater if the right sort
of shows were booked and at the
right prices, and therefore 1t was de-
termined to make an effort to success
Gully operate the institution and to try
to fill a theatrical demand which it is
believed exists here. While there has
been no time for the framing of a
definite policy. it may be stated that
an effort will be made to bring theat-
rical attractions to Norfolk worthy of
the support of this city in every way
The aim will be to so scale the pric
es on shows coming to Norfolk in such
n way that the public may Judge for
itself what class of show it is to see
An effort will be made to gain and
maintain public confidence to such an
extent that when the highest seats are
marked at $3.50 the public may in
stantly know that an attraction of the
very highest order, of absolutely first
quality, is to be presented. For popu-
lar prices the public, it is hoped, may
learn to know that popular priced at
fractions, clean, wholesome and worth
the money, have been booked.
1t is believed that the people of Nor
folk want a good theater and that they
will patronize it well. In fact this has
been demonstrated in meritorious at
fractions. All that is needed to make
the Auditorium place of interest to
this city is confidence in the manage
ments judgment in booking attrac-
tions. That confidence once deserved
and established, it is thought the pco-
pie of Norfolk and surrounding towns
and territory, will welcome good
things Electrically offered.
The Auditorium will be under sep
arate management from The News and
will have no connection in any way
with the newspaper. The theater will
be operated as an Independent bust
ness and the manager in charge will
be asked to account for the business
aside from other interests of the com
pany and will operate it with the aim
of making it pay its own way and
looking out for itself.
An effort will be made in this news
paper more strongly than ever to give
accurate criticisms of all attractions,
in order that confidence in the criti-
csms may be upheld.
In making the purchase it was
thought that if efforts to make the
theater successful should fail, the Au-
ditorium building could easily be con-
verified into additional space for the
newspaper and printing establishment
for which there is a growing demand,
CO hot ha in
ducement to make the investment. 1t
is hoped and expected, however, that
such a step shall never become neces-
sary for it is believed that the Audi
forum, properly conducted, will be
appreciated by the city to which it be-
longs.
For Public Use.
The policy with regard to use of
the Auditorium by Norfolk and Nor
folk people will be to grant every pos
sible concession for the public benefit,
and to make it so easy for local people
to acquire in their various enterprises
that it will be practically the property
of Norfolk
BefoIe another season, and perhaps
in the near future, the theater will be
remodelled to certain extent and
made more attractive, as well as more
comfortable. The house will be re-
decorated, a new heating plant in
stalled and other changes made. 1t is
hoped to make the theater one of the
prettiest to be found in any city Nor
folks size in the country.