The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-24
Theatrical Gossip

Present indications are that the
coming theatrical season in this CITY,
which is imminent, will be odds on
better in many respects than those of
the last few years. This is particu-
larly true as to that branch of theatre
Gals, styled vaudeville, which has
been so popular with Topekans, at ten
cents per, during the past two years
From the plans which have been made
by the local theatrical managers II
seems, however, that the theater-go-
ing public will be surfeited with TINS
class of entertainment this year. NO
less than three theaters are 10 be de-
voted exclusively to vaudeville Al
two of them majority of the seats
will be more than double the price at
which vaudeville has attained popu-
larity in the city. These are the new
Novelty theatre, which is in the course
of construction at East Eighth avenue
and Quincy streets, and the Majestic
theater on the north side or East
Eighth avenue between Kansas avenue
and Quincy streets. At these lneateIS'
and at the higher prices, although
there will be a fair modicum OF ten
cent seats in the house, the hlshest
class of vaudeville which Is presented
in this section of the country, is prom
fsed. The new Olympic theater, on the
south side of East Eighth avenue and
directly across from the Majestic
which is fast being made ready Tor
opening will be the home OF ten-cent
straight vaudeville, which has sort OF
touched the hearts, not to say the
pocketbooks of Topekans in the right
place The management of this mouse
promises to present as hlgh class
of ten-cent vaudeville as has been
seen in this CITY,
But in addition to this seemingly
ovcra abundance of vaudeville, the plans
for the legitimate theatrical season in
the city promises greater things than
have obtained in the past years or
course they would not have to be Of
an unusual degree of greatness to sur
pass the efforts in this field during the
past couple years. Bygones are by
cones forever, and need not be COM
mented upon. Suffice it that the plans
for legitimate theatricals this year pro-
vide for better things than ever before,
and that is something to be thankful
for. something that will be hailed with
glee by TopekanS than whom there is
not better class of patrons of good
theatrical productions the country
over. This is the reputation that To-
pekans have with all the high-clasS
theatrical companies on the road
The Grand Opera House will be the
home of these legitimate theatrical at
fractions, almost exclusively, and Mr-
Roy Crawford, the manager OF the
house. as well as the manager of the
Majestic, states that he has the best
line of bookings for the Grand this
year that has ever been made for this
house, and as much definite 1nforma-
ton as he cares at this time to give
out on the subject of bookings, bears
out this statement. Because of the
coalition between Klaw & Erlanger,
long styled as the theatrical trust, and
the Shuberts, it Will be possible 10 pre-
sent at the Grand this year many of
the Shubert attractions that come to
this part of the country. Shubert at
fractions, and they comprise some OF
best plays and the best players in the
in To
peka. because there has been no place
for them. But all this is changed
now and as many Shubert shows will
be seen here as it is possible to get.
In arranging his bookings for the
Grand Mr.. Crawford has made some
departures for the coming sea-
son over the customs which have
heretofore prevailed in connec-
arranged things to cut
out all Of the popular priced attrac- :
tions-those with prices ranging from
Il to so cents a seat-which have been
far too numerous in times past at the
Grand. with the exception of one such
of these shows a week, and these have
been booked for Saturdays. Then all
of the big musical shows have been
booked. where it has been possible, for
Sundays. And there will be matinees
on Saturday and Sunday afternoons
whenever shows have been booked for |
those days. and the bookings for these |
days are pretty Wen nlled up TOT the
season.
The season at the Grand will open
on Friday September with the pro-
duction of Three of U.s." a rafting /
comedy which has had big runs in
New York and Chicago. This will be |
followed with THE Yankee Regent"
on Sunday, September s. THE Yam !
kee Regent is a musical comedy that |
enjoyed a run of twenty-five weeks In
Chicago and is presented by COM
oF 81 nROnla headed DX |
Mr.. Toby Lyons.
But the stellar attraction which Mr.. |
Crawford is able to announce for |
production at an early date at the |
Grand is Puccinis fascinating Japa
nese opera, Madam Butterfly" under
the direction of Henry W. Savage. This
is one of the famous musical produc-
tions of the present day and will be
presented here for the first time this
fall by the original company. number
ing one hundred and fifty people. 1t
will be one of the theatrical and musi-
cal treats Of the entire season
The New Novelty.
It will be the first of November be-
fore the new Novelty theater, which is
IN the course of construction at the
northwest corner of East Eighth ave-
nue. and Quincy street will be ready
for opening When the doors of this
house are thrown open. however, the
people of Topeka will have chance
for the first time in their lives to step
into a new and model theater build
ing. one which will be new in structure
from foundation to roof. from the pit
to the dome. Under it's plans for con-
struction 1t will be most modern in
all of its details, and as fine a theater
of its size as there is in the entire
western country. Its exterior design
is of the italian Renaissance type and
the interior promises to be decorated
with perfect harmony of colors.
This new Novelty. which will be I'M
der the management of S. r. Wells, ,
whose conduct of the old Novelty on ,
Kansas avenue was !