Battle for Bookings: Independents Challenge The Trust

Extract

That once flourishing but now moribund institution, the road, has had a long and frequently exciting past. It can be traced back at least 200 years to the time when the Old American Company toured its repertory up and down the East Coast. As the country grew and the road expanded, the problems of booking became increasingly complex. By the middle of the nineteenth century, actors arid managers of attractions were finding it almost impossible to book a road season adequately, since they were forced to deal individually with the multitude of local theatre managers across the country. The local managers were finding it equally difficult to book their theatres profitably, since they had to book each attraction separately. The resultant confusion grew to the point of chaos, particularly among the many one-night stands.