New-York tribune., 1907-11-18

and also at the Fifth Avenue Theatre and the bill
& Proctor theatres has been above suspicion as
far as the performances are concerned. for these
amusing.
PERCY G. WILLIAMS.
Whenever rumor spreads about town that some
actor is about 10 quit the legitimate stage for q
ueHhte period that rumor may be traced with
sioeraoIe accuracy to the press department Of
Percy Williams the Benjamin of the group now in
control of the Variety theatres of the country Mr.
Williams has been in the show business for eleven
years, and in that time has given the public the
colonial and Alhambra theatres-and induced sew
eraI actors TO perform there and in the music halls
of those with whom he is associated He is head
OF the Orpheum circuit and business manager of
the United Booking Offices of America He has
good taste and in many ways has elevated the"per-
formances in music halls by introducing capable
players and novelties that were bound 10 amuse
His first enterprise Bergen Beach a summer
resort Later he came into possession of the old
Brooklyn Music Hail. known as the Gotham
He conducted there a variety entertainment and
with such success that he added the Novelty Thea
! tire to his properties
Still later he built the Orpheum one of the finest
amusement structures in Brooklyn. Here he in
troduced his "frenzied vaudeville presenting to
the public the more ~Sopular novelties Of the music
nails OF Great Britain and the capital cities of
France Austria, Germany and Italy. Several years
ago he spent an entire summer abroad the interest
OF the Association of Vaudeville Managers and re
turned Win contracts IN his pockets signed by such
popular music han performers as Vesta TIey,
Vesta Victoria and Alice Lloyd, all of whom found
the favor Of numerous American audiences This
season Marie Lloyd is of his European offer
ings. and later he purposes presenting another
member of this family who rejoices in the name
OF Rose. There is some curiosity manifested TO
know how Mr. Williams happened to overlook
Harry Lauder when he made that trip abroad
but it is likely the young managers reply to this
Will be LADDERS appearance the stage of the
Colonial Theatre in few weeks.
After the New York Theatre the Colonial is
without doubt the best example of the modern
music hall in New York. 1t is a structure
built according TO Mr. Williamss plans spacious,
comfortable and homelike in its arrangements. 1t
is conducted properly and be recommended TO
families quest of afternoon night of in
floors above the orchestra. The Colonial was Mr..
Williams second theatrical acquisition in New
York Before that he had the Circle Theatre, 4
place of amusement which at the time he acquired
In time 'frenZied" vaudeville attracted numerous
audiences to the Circle. Meanwhile Mr.. Williams
had his eye on the site of the COLONIAL and as soon
he got IL he quit the Circle Theatre He has
since built in Harlem the Alhambra Theatre.
OSCAR HANMERSTEIN.
The impresario of the Manhattan Opera House
needs no introduction TO readers of The Tribune
Of this paper than-weI, at least more than the
In this instance it is his history brief though
it be, that should be printed. but WIFI m A. Ham
merstein has a fine appreciation Of , past. and
though he is manager of the Victoria iueatre. he'll
tell you that whatever the Hammersteins have ac-