New Britain herald., 1916-01-31
FATE 0F PLAYERS
 HANGS IN BALANCE
Public Meeting Tonight to Save Company at Lyceum Theater

If the Alfred Cross Players, now en- tertalning at the Lyceum, are to be saved to New Britain, now is the time to do 1t. A meeting of all those inter ested in pledging something more than mere moral support will be held at o'clock tonight at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce in the Sover- eign building on Main street Every one is invited.
 Since the season was opened the Cross Players have not been given the support which would warrant them re- maining in New Britain. This, de- spite the fact that their productions have surpassed anything ever before offered in the line of stock in this city. Those who have enjoyed the perfor- mances at the LyCeum are sincerely greved at the thought that the city is to lose the company. The selection of plays, the work of the Players, the costumes, the stage settings-eVery thing in connection with the perform ances has been of the best. High royalties have cut into the net receipts and the patronage has not been sutfi- cient to offset this drain on the treas ury. The company has not attempted to retrench by offering cheaper pro- ductions. It has a high class manage ment that would not stoop to offerings of an inferior character. Whether this fact is appreciated will probably be shown tonight at the public meeting.
 This is New Britain's chance to dem onstrate to MT. Cross and his asso- ciated Players that the public is desir- ous of having the company remain here. It should be a rousing meeting.
 'Iirst Nightcrs'' Tonight.
 Tonight will be the inning of the "First Nighters,' a night that is grow ing in popular favor each week. The First Nighters" are qualified to tell their friends all about the perform ance. To be in attendance on the opening night of a new production is considered quite the thing in many ci- ties and the fun of being among those present Monday nights at the Lyceum theater is being appreciated more and more by New Britain playgoers.
 Theater Parties Arranged
 Among the First Nighters" who will be on hand tonight when the curtain rolls up on "Seven Keys to Baldpatc"' will be a party of sixty from the Stan ley Works. An entire section of seats has been reserved for the party and it is probable that others from the same eSlaDllSnment Will DC present..
 Not to be outdone, forty girls from the Am erican Hosiery company have decided to hold a theater party at the Lyceum Wednesday night. The Cross Players are big favorites with the | young women of the Hosiery company who are desirous of showing their aD- | proval and support as well as enjoy | ing an evening of real pleasure.
 One of the biggest theater parties of l the year will be held Friday night, the l Wentworth club having reserved q l block of 150 seats. While only 150 l have been included in the party thus l far, many other members of the club ] are planning to be present.
 Earl Der Biggers, co-author with l George M. Cohan of Seven Keys to | Baldpate,' figured in an interesting l story in the New York Times yester- day The story dealt with the history of the LampoOn, the funny paper is sued at HGrvard university. Der Big gers was one of the steady contribu- tors to the LampOOn while he was at | college and that his vein of humor has not petered out is shown by the con- tinuOus laughter furnished by the Cross Players vehicle this week.