Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-02-06

work pretty much the same as are
the other people Some apply per-
sonally or by letter; others are OBJ
tained through advertising IN London
Berlin. Paris and other foreign cities.
writes Tody Hamilton, In the Wash
ington Star. Another method OF oh
taining people and attractions Is
through foreign theatrical agents.
! These agents are found In tho prln-
cipal cities throughout the world
Their financial interests induce them
TO keep posted In all public amusc-
ments. studying interesting and nov
el features of entertainment and keep
Ing en- rapport with tho latest stars
OF the stage and ring They arc tho
thousand eyes OF the big show.
When one of these agents dlscoy-
ers a new act by an individual or
troupe. he will try 10 secure engage.
ment for the performers OH the basis
OF per cent. ON the salary received,
which royalty continues as long as
the engagement lasts. 1t Is part OF
the business of tho foreign agent
therefore TO keep In touch with nil
The big shows throughout the world
and it Is through such ngencIes that
the place OF particular rider or ath-
letc can be filled at short notice.
The first official step between cir
Gus manager and performer Is the
signing of an irouclad contract This
contract covers about forty rules
which, If strictly adhered to. would
qualify the signer for proscenium
tox in glory, The subscriber has
only the personal freedom left to en-
able him or her to perform the act
contracted for. and to eat and sleep
between times. All else Is forbidden
or provided for in the rules mention
cd. Even the kind of clothing worn
between performances Is specified:
and to insure the enforcement OF this
rule the su moi % cents per week Is
assessed against each and every per-
former and paid to the porter OF the
"ar for this service. The fines for
violation OF tho rules vary from 81 to
/ s25.
All grades OF performers must Sub
scribe to the same rules. There Is u
clause IN the contract generally which
permits either OF the parties TO ii TO
terminate the same upon two weeks
n"tice. Thus. when particularly
high priced act Is not required beyond
4 certain time. the two weeks notice
Nnds the engagement. Sometimes
this sudden severance of business re-
lations works n great hardship to the
performer. who may be fred" at tn"
point most remote from his base. But
ometimes the performer gets a bet
ter engagement, when he aims TO give
notice so as TO be nearest his basn
When the two weeks shall have ex-
otred. This scheme Is usually foiled
L ~ the circus manager with tho
walt two weeks. Quit now. Go to
IL wagon and get your money
This two-weeks' clause In contracts
Is made use OF BY the manager at the
close OF his metropolitan season, after
Ns show has secured the hearty in
dorsement OF the metropolitan prees.
cut down the expenses for the road.
rhe last week OF the metropolitan
Engagement Is the real show--the
much -curtailed performance OF the
our under canvas. Some attractions
# an expensive character are hired
,nly for the first four or five weeks.
Some. after test, are are not wanted,
md arc let go simultaneously with
he short-term artists. A second cut
usually is made in the fall should n
,outhern trip be included In the It'll
lerary. or course the printing re-
Mains the samo in the last case, and
he theatrical metropolitan press no
ices are used throughout the entire
| ,eason.
The fixed salaries of performers, II
must be borne in mind. include board
md lodging. the first being Furnished
II the cook tent. the latter In sleep
ng accommodations on the carr,
originally, with the old time circus
,oari and lodging meant hotel bills
/ ut the immense size OF the modem
how and the large personnel have
hanged all OF that The show tents
rnst be pitched In the suburbs OF
titles, far from tho base OF local sup
| lilies. while in most of the smaller
owns the entire hotel and boarding
| ouse accommodation would be In
l adequate to care for the circus per
I 'onnel. talr a
AS performers may now go from
| he night performance direct to tbs
,ars and to he'd. and usually do so
here is ample time for proper res
N route for the next stand. There
being no excuse for leaving the shpH
\ rounds. and no necessity for private
expenditures beyond the. small fee:
Indicated. to porters. etc, The salar,
If circus performer is practically
so much clear money; whereas thu
| theatrical performer must pay hote
Wills out OF his salary. besides riskinf
he temptations incident TO idlenes.
in the city. y
I The abolition Of the street parade
With the Barnum show has greatly
,meliorated the condition or the per
formers so far as that Organization Il
concerned. With the. other show