United labor bulletin., 1912-12-12
THEATRE UNFAIR
Victor Opera House Stage En-
pIoyees Tie Up ''In Old
Kentucky"

Last Sunday evening. a week, the In
Old Kentucky" Co. was billed to give
performance in the Victor opera house.
F. C. Lemaster, vice-president of the In
ternational Alliance of Theatrical Stage
Employees, came in with the company,
arranged a conference between Manager
Cunningham and the Stage Employees,
and endeavored to adjust the trouble
existing, but was unable to bring the
case to satisfactory settlement. As a
last resort he was compelled to stop the
ing in the theater. The situation was
thoroughly explained to the musicians.
and they, after seeing the unfair stand
Manager Cunningham had taken with
the Stage Employees, also refused to
work. in Old Kentucky" is a splendid
show. with carload of special scenery.
About one-half of this was brought up
to the theater and about one-half of
that which was brought was used
especially in the first act and during
the act half of this fell to the stage
floor. The climax of the first act was
absolutely ruined as the curtain had to
be run down in the midle of the act
to allow the performers to get in their
proper positions for the climax of the
act. thereby cutting out the biggest and
best scene in the act Several times
to be run down to make the change in
| scenery. which has always been made
in the dark and causing no waits
Between the first and second acts the
curtain was down for twenty-eight min
utes to make the change in scenery.
which ordinarily takes from ten to
twelve minutes. With the combined eff
forts of the entire colored band. actors.
both the manager of the company and
Manager Cunningham and the wou1d-be
stage employees. the waits were from
ten to twelve minutes longer than were
necessary under proper conditions.
How long viii the Victor public stand
for this2 They pay full fare and get
only half OF the show and that not right
pany- They bring in their entire show
and want to give the public the best
possible performance, but without the
proper stage help it is impossible for
them TO give satisfactory performance.
The management of Tn Old Ken
lucky deserves a great deal of credit
for the performance given at the Victor
opera house under the conditions that
existed on the stage They fulfilled
their part of the contract. but the house
manager failed by not giving the proper
supDort in the way of stage help.
Those who have witnessed Tn Old
Kentucky" realize what an absolute
failure the performance was. and all on
account of inferior stage help.
The International Allience of Theatri-
cal Stage Employees is behind this
trouble and will push it to a successful
conclusion. even If they have to call out
the road men of every attraction that
plays in the Victor opera house.
Now. just word to the Victor public:
Are you going to pay full price for your
amusement when you know you are only
going to se half of what you pay
for? This is fight for principle. for
both the worker and the public Your
assistance is needed and We feel sure
you will get it. II you must have amuse-
ment be sure that you are going to get
what you pay for, which you can not get |
at the Victor opera house until this |
trouble is adjusted.