The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-16
CITY THEATRES
In SLUMP; 5000
ACTORS IDLE
First Class Houses Forced
to Use Cut Rate Ticket
Agents.
28 SHOWS ARE CLOSED
S1.200,000 Lost by Sum-
mer Managers, Half in
New York City.
ROAD CONDITIONS POOR
Public Is Baking at $3.50
for Best Night Seats, As
sert Agents.
ROAD CONDITIONS POOR

The slump in the ultra-fiourishing
theatrical business has hit this coun-
try, just as it hit London and the
English provinces last spring. In the
last week business continued to fall
off to a marked extent in New York
and much more so on the road. Yes
tertlay out of forty-four attractions in
the first class theatres of the city six
teen were seeking to draw support
with tickets in the cut-rate agencies,
with orchestra seats on sale for all but
four shows.
An official OF the Actors Fidelity
League estimated yesterday that 5000
actors, or about 60 per cent. Of those
who could legitimately lay claim TO
this profession. were out of work in
the city. This was computed to be
about 1000 more than were without
season. Productions have been meet
Ing with dismal patronage on the road
shows Of all types We're closed, with
the possibility that by Thanksgiving
Day forty attractions on tour may
have breathed their last.
Managers Lose S1,2OO.OOO.
\ close observer OF the theatre fig
ured yesterday that with these closings
and the score and more Of failures and
almost hits In Broadway since the
summer theatrical managers have lost
about $1,000 About half of that
amount has been dropped In New York.
Outstanding successes here are playing
10 big money. but they arc compare
lively few, and the weak sisters are
wabbling. This limited prosperity holds
good of several of the large cities, with
the exception OF Boston, where theatri-
cal conditions are reported to be quite
discouraging.
Plays on the road arc falling down
not only because of poor attendance,
ascribed largely to the fact that second
rate casts have been sent out frequent
ly, but because despite the unpronis-
Ing business being done in New York. n
oils. This curious paradox exists be-
cause a number of productions are be-
ing held on stages here I'm the hope they
will take a turn for the better. 1t Is
said that at least fifteen attractions
have been kept on the outskirts of New
York waiting for theatre here be-
cause of this congestion. For this rea-
son n committee from the Producing
Managers Association has asked the
latl Tan 20
the clause in its contract which pro-
vides that players are TO be paid IL laid
off while waiting for a Broadway
premiere.
Harris Sees End or boom.
sam II. Harris, president OF the Pro-
ducing Managers Association, aclSnowl-
edged yesterday that the end Of the
unprecedented boom in the theatre
which followed the war appeared to
have set In. Soon after the finish Of
the conflict A. II. Woods predicted that
the unusual initiation in amusements.
due TO the reaction from the stress of
war, would last about two years. and
conditions seemed TO bear him out.
The Hippodrome and tho Winter Gar
den. two theatrical institutions which
every one from out Of town appears to
visit regardless OF whether any other
show Is attended, are doing rushing
business OF course. The Ziexfeld FOL
lies" also is about to go on tour. after
pIlIng up records for receipts. Ere
Stone in Tip Top" Greenwich VII
lase Follies,' 'Dnter Madame" "The
Bat Tickle Me" and The Had Man."
arc maintaining the glittcring pros
perity which came to almost every show
regardless of its character last season
Two established favorites from las.
year. 'Lightnfh' and THE Gold Dig
gers" are more than holding their own
in the dramatic field, while two musicai
comedy holdovers, Irene and Tho
Night Boat are also keeping up their
pace.
The others are either Just adding n
comfortable amount to the balance of
their producers or else are finding busi-
ness slackening. This Is occurring re.
gardless OF their worth, for many OF
them received very laudatory reviews
Df such were 'The Charm SCHOOL, and
Poor Little Ritz Girl now leaving
after having received good sendoff.
THE Sweetheart Shop" Is also depart.
ing after short stay. despite n warm
reception and good run In Chicago.
Failures ON Increase.
There have been more than fifty
openings so far this season, an against
about thirty UP to the Same date las.
year, with a larger percentage Of fall
tires than In the fall of 1919. BUSINESS
depression is one OF the major causes
assigned for tho bad showing here AMI
on the road. Ligon Johnson. counsel
for the United Managers Protective As
sociation, said
More men are out OF work this yea-, !
which means fewer theatregoers. The
cotton situation IN the South Is an OK
ample OF tho Industrial unsettlemcnt. |
The money situation appears to be- tight |
also. People are beginning TO save.
Narrower, the new railroad rates arc 1
pressing very heavily on theatrical pro- |
ductions."
representative OF one theatrical firm !
went so far as TO declare the railroad |
rates are numbering shows" AS an 1
example. il cost Sam Harris $4,000 to I
ship a musical comedy from here TO I
Chicago--enough TO cat up the profits I
for two or three weeks, " successful. ,