The Anaconda Standard

The Sea of Ice.

Butte, Nov. 16.—When John Maguire on his return from New York, announced that this season would witness the production of any scenic display above the ordinary set that has been doing good service since the opening of the opera house, some cynics quietly smiled and winked knowingly at what they thought a little managerial buncombe and blow of bugles. Manager Maguire, however, glides along and without more ado secures the services of a famous artist and a corps of assistants, and is about to give Butte an original production. If one stops to consider what this means, it means the taking in hands of a play, new or old, finding out what can be added to its attractiveness by an outlay in the stage setting and costuming.

Heretofore Butte has had to take in the so-called grandeur of "carloads of new scenery expressly painted by so and so of New York." This same scenery was attractive in some respects as being a change from the old stock stuff in the house, and in many other instances from constant use on the road was frayed and tawdry. In the present instance, however, Manager Maguire gives the "Sea of Ice" such a stage setting as will be worthy of the best metropolitan theater in this country. And with an augmented company intends to produce at an early date "The Silver King," "Lights o' London," "The Bells of Haslemere," "Youth at Saratoga" and the great comedy "Confusion," for all of which Mr. Maguire has arranged exclusive rights with Henry French, the well known manager of the Broadway and Madison Garden theatres of New York. Maguire says theatrically Butte is in it, as outside of New York, Boston, San Francisco and Chicago Butte leads all others. Go to the "Sea of Ice" Thursday.