L'eidoloscope (Funke's Opera House, 25 janvier 1897)

En provenance de Savannah, Rosabel Morrison est en tournée avec une nouvelle adaptation de Carmen, oeuvre de Proper Mérimée, dont l'originalité consiste à inclure, lors de la représentation la célèbre Bull Fight tournée au Mexique par Gray Latham :

In the forthcoming production of Carmen in this city Miss Rosabel Morrison, one of the best and most favorably known of the younger stars, assumes the title part. She is eminently fitted for the role, being in appearance the exact counterpart of Merinee's [sic] heroine. She has received lavish praise for her performance. Her supporting company is headed by Edward Elsner, an actor of wide experience. The production is mounted with great care and a great novelty is the introduction of the celebrated Eidoloscope with which the bull fight is given in exact reproduction of the genuine event It lasts fully fifteen minutes. Miss Morrison's season thus far has been one of the extraordinary successes of the year. At the Funke Monday, January 25th, Prices $1, 75c, 50c, and 25c. Seats on sale Friday 10 a. m.

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Lincoln Journal Star, Lincoln, saturday, January 16, 1897, p. 5.

Lincoln, Funke's Opera House (début XXe siècle)
© History Nebraska

La nouveauté non seulement de l'eideloscope, mais de l'audacieuse présentation du film au cours du dernier acte de Carmen retient tout particulièrement l'attention :

AT THE FUNKE.
Imagine yourself in a room into which no ray of light can penetrate! Imagine one entire side suddenly illuminated with a bright electric glare! Then picture a Spanish bull light with its picturesque toreadors, matadors, picadors and banderillos dashing around the mmense arena, thrusting the infuriated bull as he madly rushes among the men and horses. Think of this exciting scene lasting continuously for fifteen minutes and you have a faint idea of what the marvelous eidoloscope accomplishes in the last act of "Carmen" as presented by Rosabel Morrison at the Funke opera house Monday, January 25. Miss Morrison brings a splendid supporting company, headed by Edward Elsner, and a splendid scenic production of this wonderfullly successful play. Only two actresses have achieved fame as "Carmen," One is Olga Nethersole and the other is Rosabel Morrison. Her performance of the entrancing Spanish gipsy has stamped' Miss Morrison as one of the best of our native actresses. Prices $1, 75, 60 and 25 cents. Seats on sale Friday at 10 a. m.

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The Nabraska State Journal, Lincoln, Monday, January 18, 1897, p. 6.

The Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln, 25 janvier 1897, p. 8.

La troupe se rend ensuite à Leavenworth.

Le Cinématographe Lumière de MM. Pirot et Majar (The Funke Opera House, 15 février 1897)

À la mi-février, un cinématographe Lumière est annoncé dans la presse locale :

Manager Zehrung takes pleasure in announcing that in connection with the Moore & Livingston Repertoire Co., who will appear at the Funke every night this week, and Saturday matinee, opening tonight in the famous play, "The Lost Paradise," by permission of Howard & Doyle, a play never before presented by a repertoire company, he has secured the famous Cinematograph. This is the original "Scope" of the country, and has never been seen in Lincoln. More than thirty views will be shown and not one that has ever been shown in Lincoln, by any "scope,' will be given this week. Nearly all the views are of foreign make and you are assured there are none better.in the world. The prices remain same, notwithstanding the extra expense 10-20-30 cents. Ladies free if reserved seats are bought before 6 o'clock. Come out and see the new pictures. Seats now on sale.

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Lincoln Journal Star, Lincoln, lundi 15 février 1897, p. 4.

Un autre journal apporte quelques précisions sur l'appareil :

The cinematograph that is running in connection with the Moore-Lewinski Co. at the Funke this week is the original French machine and is run by two Frenchmen that cannot speak or understand English. One picture is worth double the admission. The company presents "A Desperate Game"* tonight with entire new specialties and new pictures. Few there are indeed who have not heard of that favorite comedian, John Dillon, who appears at the Funke Monday, Feb. 22. Many good citizens who are prejudiced against the stage, overlook their scruples to see him. Mr. Dillon at no time descends to low comedy, and this in part accounts for his great popularity. Seats on sale Friday, Feb. 19, at 10 a. m.

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The Evening Post, Lincoln, mercredi 17 février 1897, p. 8.

Les deux responsables du Cinématographe Lumière, MM. Pirot et Majar, conservent jalousement le secret de l'appareil, malgré l'insistance de l'impresario Moore :

AT THE FUNKE.
Manager Moore of the Moore and Livingstone company, now playing at the Funke opera house, spent considerable time in investigating the merits of the different picture projecting machines now in use with the view of purchasing one. He could find nothing equal to the cineomatograph and as that cannot be purchased, was obliged to lease the machine at a very high rental. Not only do the Lumiere company absolutely refuse to sell these machines, but insist upon keeping them in their own possession. The machine now here is in charge of the original French operators, who brought it to this country. These gentlemen, Mons. Pirot and Majar guard the machine as if it were something sacred, never leaving it alone intact for a moment, and even refuse to allow the company to examine it closely. A visit to the Funke opera house any night this week will repay anyone interested in animated pictures. Tonight Moore and Livingston will present "A Brother's Crime."

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Lincoln Journal Star, Lincoln, jeudi 18 février 1897, p. 5.