In 1910, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “We received a good contract from Guadlahara, Mexico. All Spanish correspondence. Some job getting it translated. Mr. Evans did most of it for us.”
Julius Cahn’s Official Theatrical Guide for the 1910-1911 season listed three theaters in Guadalajara. With a population of 101,208 at the time, the city government managed the Degollado Theatre. This venue had a seating capacity of 2,000 with a stage measuring 15×25 metres. The second theater listed in Cahn’s Guide was the Principal Theatre, managed by T. Davilla Suer and a seating capacity of 1,600. The Principal Theatre’s stage measured 8×12 metres stage. The third theater listed in Cahn’s Guide was the Apolo Theatre managed by C. Paniagua. It had a seating capacity of 1,400 with the smallest stage measuring 6×10 metres.
Of the three, it was the Teatro Degollado that underwent a significant renovation between 1909 and 1910. It was Roberto Montenegro who led the work, focusing on the reconstruction and decoration of the interior of the building. The project included the addition of a crystal lamp on the theater’s vault. Located in the central plaza of Guadalajara, on Belen Street between Hidalgo Avenue and Morelos Avenue, it is possible that Sosman & Landis received the contract for the new scenery. The grand opening for the newly renovated space was September 15, 1910. Here is a link for some history about the building: http://en.ofj.com.mx/teatro-degollado/
Cahn’s Guide included an entire section on Mexico:
“Mexico affords many allurements to the operatic, vaudeville or spectacular class of entertainment, as the natives liberally patronize performances that appeal to the eye or, in case of opera, to the ears, as they possess a remarkable musical liking and will respond in large numbers.
Every city owns one or more Spanish papers, with editors who will gladly translate English notices into the Spanish language.
The established local rates in Mexico on the principal lines are on the basis of, first class three cents, second class two cents, third class one and one-half cents, plus two per cent. per kilometer, about five-eights of one mile. These rates in Mexican currency. The railroad lines in Mexico are disposed to be liberal in matter of rates and conditions of tickers for the transportation of theatrical companies, with a view to encouraging them to visit the country.
The duty on printed matter taken into Mexico is little or nothing. In some cases a small tax or nominal charge is levied.
Special mention should be made of the strict observance of rigidly adhering to showing every act or scene that is advertised in papers, boards or heralds, for every failure to produce as represented in billing is subject to a heavy fine or imprisonment. At every performance an official witnesses the performance to see that the performance lives up to the representations in advance.
The best time for a tour of Mexico is from November to March. The days are warm, but the nights are cool and warm clothing is essential in cities on the high table land in the interior. The duty is charged on all articles purchased in Mexico over $100 by any one person. Theatrical property, costumes, scenery, etc., can be placed in bond, the bond being cancelled upon return of property to the United States.
So called “Diverse Route,” or “Variable Route,” tickets can now be obtained from San Antonio, Texas, via Laredo and the National Railroad of Mexico, to the City of Mexico, returning thence via Mexico Central Railway to El Paso, or returning via the Mexican Central through Torreon and the Mexican International Railroad to Eagle Pass, Texas, or vice versa, at very reasonable rates, this touring embracing nearly every important theatrical city in Mexico.
The prices of admission in Mexico run from 25c. to $3. The value of the Mexican dollar is now stable, being equal to 50c. in the United States currency.”
Cahn’s Guide listed theaters in the following cities: Aguas Caliented, Celaya, Chihuahua, City of Mexico, Ciudad Juarez, Durango, Guadalajara, Guadalupe, Guanajuato, Lampazos, Leon, Monterey, Morelia, Pachuca, Puebla, Queretaro, Saltillo, San Luis Potosi, San Miguel de Allende, Tampico, Toluca, and Zacatecas.
To place this project within some historical context of the times, I am including a brief article published in the “Boston Globe” on November 14, 1910. The article was entitled “Mutual Concern” and reported the following:
“Confronted by a more delicate situation than ever as a result of the occurrences of the past few days, the governments of Mexico and the United States were making every effort to restrain their citizens from acts of violence and to smooth over the difficulties. The already serious problem before the two nations, resulting from the burning at the stake in Texas of Antonio Rodriguez, and the riotous demonstrations against Americans in Mexico City and elsewhere, was further complicated during the past 48 hours by the shooting of Jesus Loza by Carlos B. Carothers, an American, at Guadalajara, Mexico, and the assassination of Chief of Police W. C. Temple of Anadarko, Oklahoma, by a Mexican. Ambassador De La Barra presented today to the state department the dispatch from Foreign Minister Creel in which Pres. Diaz addressed satisfaction with President Taft’s assurance that he would do all in his power to punish those guilty of the death of Rodriguez. Pres. Diaz in this message, said the Mexican government had instituted proceedings against the persons responsible for the misdemeanors in Mexico and expected to repress, with all the vigor of the law, all offenses whatsoever against Americans who live there.”
To be continued…
