ABSTRACT
In April 1886, the record-breaking run of Adonis came to an end, and it came to an end a little less smilingly than it might have. R. E. J. “Bob” Miles and James Barton, owners of the Bijou Theater, chose to take in Nat Goodwin, Dixey’s direct rival, for the new season rather than another Rice show and Rice was not happy. He threw all his toys out of the cot in one fell swoop:
He has lost no time getting even, as it were. Miles and Barton hoped to have Adonis run until July 4. On March 27 Mr. Rice concluded a contract with the Gaiety Theatre, London, Eng to play Mr. Dixey for 12 weeks from May 31. The 602nd and last performance of Adonis at the Bijou will be given April 17 and on May 12 the party will sail. It is now Miles and Barton’s turn to feel badly. The Bijou is left about three months’ empty by Mr. Rice’s manoeuvre. The latter’s contract calls for only two weeks notice, and their can be no legal objection to his going.
