Article on management changes at the Waverley Theatre and Theatre Comique

“Two of our smaller theaters have just changed hands, and as the holders of remunerative enterprises are apt to cling very closely to them, it is fair to infer that the Waverley and the Theatre Comique did not prosper under the late managements. The former of these houses opens this week under the proprietorship of Mr. G. T. Reeder, as a variety house, the company including several notabilities from other theatres and from the minstrel halls. The Theatre Comique—the name of which, it may be remarked, is a miserable French affectation—is now closed, but will be reopened next Monday night under the management of R. W. Butler, also as a variety house. Theatres of this class find a large patronage among those who cannot afford to attend the higher-priced houses, and the managers have it in their power to give entertainments both amusing and respectable. They have not always done so, but of late they could have found it easy to quote the precedents of more fashionable theatres as an excuse for indecent performances. No doubt, however, they will share the reaction in favor of decency, and the Waverley and the Theatre Comique will under the new managements participate at once in the merits and prosperity of all well-conducted places of amusement.”