New Britain herald., 1917-04-19
SAVE THE LYCEUAd.

Which God and Nature do with
 actors fill.
 .ss s THOMAS HAYWOOD.
 Next week will witness the passing of the Rnsswin Lyceum as a legitimate theater Announcement made in the Herald yesterday by it's present mana ger foretells a career as moving picture house. After twenty-five years US the valiant host of the spoken drama in this city, the passing of the Lyceum will be marked with regret by it's former patrons. old and young.
 ( It has not been so long ago that Thomas J. Lynch the first manager of the Lyceunn, relinquished the reins of office to younger hands. He served faithfully and well for quarter of a century. During his regime the greatest stars in the theatrical profes- sion trod the boards of the local theater. Some of the finest plays ever produced in America had their pre- micr performances on the local stage. Names that today are but memories of 8 glorious past were blazoned forth on the bill boards. of this city years ago. The history of the Lyceum is resplcndent with all the glories of worthy ambition. It started out to provide the highest form of enter tainment for the people of New Bri- tain Ina sea of adversities it clung tenaciousiy to the one prime object. In it's old age it should not be thrown over 'ssg
 New Britain has not supported the Lyceum in later years as New Bril- tain should support theater. Instead of lending helping hand to the en- terprise that was started by loyal cit- izens twenty-five years ago, In this generation the theater-goers of this city have turned their attention and time to Hartford and it's playhouses. The movies in this city have thrived.. The legitimate drama has been driven why New Britain, even now. cannot rise from it's state of apathy, and re- claim the laonors 1t once held, "a drawing card for road companies. If the merchants of this citywent about 1t in the right way there would be. no doubt about spccess. The Cham Der of Commerce is here for the pur-: pose of holding business in this town By letting the Lyceum so out of busi- ness it allows 90 much trade to drift away from the Main street merchants. New Britain people who journey all the way to; Hartford to see show in the evening, usually go early afternoon. For every dollar that goes out of New Britain for theatrical en- tertainment there goes another dollar for merchandise. That is easily seen. For this season. at least the Lyceum is lost. Yet. it should not be lost for all time as a purveyor of the legiti- mate drama. There is not Q road show that comes to Hartford that could not be booked for New Britain either before or after the out-of-town engagement. The past has proven this. Shows playing in Hartford on Monday nights have been brought to this city on Tuesday afternoons and evenings. Hartford itself is but a one- night stand. It Is seldom show re- mains there full week, six days, with the exception of burlesQue troupes. This city has no room for buriesque shows, as yet. but 1t has a keen in- terest in. the regular drama. It has . place for musical comedy, and all such forms of entertainment that can be accommodated on the stage of the Lyceum,
 If New Britain is to be "movie' town, all we'll and good. In that event the passing of the Lyceum will de- mand but little notice from the popu- lace,- a sigh here, a tear there. But New Britain should not be enter tained solely by the movies" They are all very we'll. No one has any thing to say against them when they conform to certain standards. The silent drama has its place just as the spoken word on the stage has its place. In lieu of any other home, the drama should not be cast out from the Ly- ceum without due cognizance of the seriousness of such a step. It is in careful considerations of our business men as well as those who belong to the box-ofiice brigade. Save the Lyceum!
 n1rNxRf ID m1 HOnHcAG