Evening journal., 1913-10-09
THURSDAY OCT. 9. 1918.
THE PLAYHOUSE.

THE PLAYHOUSE.
THERE is splendid promise for Wilmington play
l. gosrs in the impending opening Of the Play
house which is being built by the duPonts and VIII
be under the general management Of William A. Brady
and the shuberts and the direct management Of John
s. Hale an experienced theatrical man, who already
has won the golden opinion OF those Wilmingtonians
who have been fortunate as 70 meet him
We already have two well-conducted theatres in our
city One is the Garrick It is vaudeville house
that has been conducted for years. and with signal
success by William l.. Dockstader. The other is the
Avenue popular stock company house II Is under
the personal management OF Luke q CONFESS VINO
has made host OF friends and weI-wishers among
Virnin stonians since he came to this city from New
York And now we are to have the Playhouse, which
Is TO be managed by who are known the world
over for their theatrical SO ius, and who have sta
Toned here their representative man whose very
presen,e carries with it atmosphere OF reciprocal
friendly feeling, With thr,e such men Docksader,
conness and Hale, named in the order of their com-
ing catering TO the varying tastes Of Wilmington the
atre-goers the pleasure and recreation of our COM
munity is assured.
Since the work Of building the Playhouse btgun,
the question frequently has heen asked: What win
become OF the Garrck and the Avenue after II has
been finished and is in operaton?" We think the
that the present will give TO that ques-
ton win be that IN prorpe-ous city Of 10000 in
habtants and in the surrounding country peopied by
many other Thousands there enough playgoers
ported and T. give to their owners or manasers thar
fair measure of pront 70 which they oatitled be-
cause Of the investments ey have made.
II must not be forgotten that theatre going begets
theatre-golng; that Wilmington. regarded by the
larger cities provincial town, is becoming every
day more metropolitan in IT, tastes and practicesi
that the Local standar's o, living higher that
the business methods are up-to-date and ag-
gressive and that the people more disposed 10
get something out Of life than working eating
and 81 eping. Devices fo- pleasure ard recreFt ton
that I'D lave starved ard died here years ago live
and thrive today. The Playhouse will serve as a
municipal stimulant 1t only will build up its
own lusner but also. we believe in doing It will
huill up the business Of the two other houses by
inensifsing and Strengthening local interest IL all
things theatrical.
There is something else that the Playhouse will do
in its held the Garrick and the Avenue already
doing in their respective neds It will keep here
at home and in local circulation msny thousands OF
doll.~s that being o1rricl 70 Philsde ph-a
every season and left in the box Offices OF he the
atres there. Those who make it practice to
60 Philadelphia search OF diversion not already
supplied by the Garrick and the Avenue no longer will
have for doing II is the purpose OF
Mr. Brady and the shuherts TO bring to our city
very best productions that show not only in Pha-
dephia but also New York and many Of which also
delight London audiences In addition It is their pur-
pose TO make Of this city .ryingout centre for new
productions. Wilmington audiences will have the un-
usual advantage Of seeing such plays before they are
produced elsewhere Upon the verdict OF those
audiences the productions will be amended
strengthened toned down abandoned altogether. In
other words II the policy OF making this hrst-night
town be persisted in by Mr. Brady and the Shuberts
# will not be long before shall here. by rea-
Of those frequent appeals TO judgment and the
dscrh --ating process Of education that will attend
them community OF theatrical critics. the influence
Of whose verdcts win be felt the length and breadth
Of the American stage.
It is the manifest duty of Wimingtonians not only
TO welcome and support the Playhouse AMI Hale.
lts resident manager, but also to be liberal in
lner treatment Of the Garrick and Mr. Dockstader
and the Avenue and Mr. CONFESS as to make them
eel mat so far as they anected the theatre
y penent and not an injury. There is room here
LOT al three houses they be properly and popularity
conducted and we feel sure the future will verify that
assertion