The Washington times., 1914-03-08
PERMANENT STOCK
COMPANY CERTAIN
Head of Poll Circuit Gets Con-
tinuing Clause in Lease for
Ten Years.

Arrangements have been COM
pleted which will give Washington
a permanent stock company. Syi-
vester Y. Poll. head Of the big Poll
circuit of theaters. In a consulta-
tion here last week with his gen
eral manager, Edward Renton, and
his Washington manager, James
Thatcher. outlined a plan that in
cludes a complete remodeling of
the present Poll Theater next sum-
contract for the house that will
enable him to make plans tDr the
next ten years.
The Poll permanent stock idea has
been given Il thorough test in Wash
ington and the other big cities of
the Poll circuit this season. and 1t
has proved successful. At the pres
ent time there are twenty-eisht
first-class theaters In the circuit
that are operating permanent stock
companies.
This circuit will be greatly en-
larSed when Mr.. Poll consunmates
dea.s now pending for the acuuisi-
ton OF new houses in Detroit,
Rochester. Chicago and Kansas City.
According to the Poll plan discussed
here last week. a complete ci,ein OF
in the next iye years extend from
Boston to San Francisco.
Organizes In Baltimore.
The first important addition 10 the
Foil circuit after washington had
been added to tho circuit was Bal
tfmore, wherp Mr.. Poll establish
ed . permanent organization q few
weeks ago. He took over the Au-
ditorpm Theater' In Baltimore, re-
modefed and fedecorated Il at an ex-
pense,- of more tf.an $500, and
housed In 1t a remarkably fine stock
a success from the beginning, and
the Peli stock company OF Baltimore
Is now playing to capacity business.
In this connection, II may be men-
TONED that the success of the Bal
timore project h of importance to
Washington amusement seekers.
Through an arrangement between
the Washington and Baltimore man
agements. Polfs Theater in Wash
ingtoh has a call on the services
Of members Of the Baltimore COM
pany whenever a production in the
National Capital requires an ex-
traordinariiy large cast.
AT such -tiney the Baltimore man.
agemenf has arranged to present
small-cast plays. thereby enabling
many members Of the Auditorium
company to augment the Washing
ton company for the week. In this
way. the necessity of searching in
New York for extra players re-
Quired in Washington for a single
weeks engagement Is obviated, and
the Washington management has
at its disposal always half dozen
or more highly trained stock
actors. = u
Thatcher To Stay.
Washington theatersoers will be
glad to know that Manager James
Thatcher. Of Polls Theater is to
remain at the head of the WASH
ington house under the new man
agement. Mr. Thatcher Is one Of
the most popular managers ever
put into control Of a Washington
Theater. His popularity in this
city was quickly established because
Of the fact that he Is Southerner
by birth.
His natural courtesy has gained
the warm friendship Of every
patron Of the house As a matter
of fact. one of the secrets Of Mr..
Polls remarkable success as an
operator of permanent stock com
Panies lies in his ability to select
representative
each city. A lifetime spent in
studying human nature enables him
to pick the best men in the busi-
ness. and his excellent treatment of
his managers elicits the best that
is IN them.
When he selected Mr. Thatcher for
his Washington house. he gave
typical demonstration of his discern
ment. Mr.. Thatcher's popularity is
~ hn 10 h.
success of Polls Washington theater
An important factor in the success
of the permanent stock plan inau-
gurared by Mr. Poll Is his arrange
ment for early releases of new plays.
Because of the fact that he can Of
fer production of plays in stock in
twenty-eight houses practically si-
multantously. Mr.. Poi is given the
right to produce manv of the new
plays many months in advance of
their release to other stock man
ayers.
And it is a fact. which has been
commented upon frequently in the
newspapers. that the first produc-
tions OF these plays are invariably
made at Polls Theater in this
city.
For example. the attraction an
nounced for next week at Polls.
stop. Thief" will be presented here
in stock for the first time on any
stage. almost six months before its
release to other cities, and within
a month of its first presentation in
Washington at one of the foremost
theaters in the city
Capital To Be Center.
The result of the conference last
week. which means that Polls Thea
ter will be continued here not only
for the term Of ten years. arranged.
but permanently. will be to make the
National Capital the center of the
Poll circuit of theaters Mr.. Poll
has already begun negotiations for
the purchase of a winter residence in
this city, and will maintain an office
here.
The growth OF his chain of thea
ters from the New England States
TO Chicago. and ultimately to the Pa
clfic coast. will make Washington
geographical center for the cir
cult. The big studios from which
will he shipped stage mountings and
costumes for every company in the
chain are. to be moved to Washing
ton. greatly enlarged. and made
models of lavish equipment and up
tu-date methods.
it is Mr.. Polls purpose to build
here the biggest and hondsomest
playhouse south of New York.
EUROPEAN RESORTS