National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-02-23
gatiaual Republican.
JANA USCHEK INTERVIEWED.
THE GREAT TRAaEDIENNE ON AMERI
CAN DRAMA

THE GREAT TRAGEDIENNE ON AMERI.
CAN DRAMA.
Tho critic Of Rukes' Spirif has interviewed
Madame Janausehek on the American drama and
American actors. This interview will be read
with interest:
view me, sir. shall be happy to talk to you can
didly upon the drama. si-
. Critie. M.dame. your emnsnce upon the stsge
entnies your opinions on this topic to the greatest
eonsideration. Pray let me ask your opinion Of
the American stage Il refer to us quality COM
Nine. ]. The American stage Of to-day il most
crude compared to either the French, German. or
Italian. It Is as yet but great Workshop or fsc-
hand unfortunately, your mechanics have mot
quite mastered their art. and their work IL imper-
feet. You have done much already to cultivate
the drama, but just at present you are In crisis,
and the result will determine whether the Ameri-
can stage viii becoms glory or . reproseh.
Nine. J. mean by this to say that the Amsri-
can stage has reached point whore two rosds d.
verge; one Is the road Of true art, Of legitimate
ruption. II the Americans follow the first and
support IL 9TH their natural prodigaltty, the
~ StSIe OF the American drama Will 20 great; nSt
they take the latter. the least said about 1t the
Critic. Well, Madame, what must b dsns to
Nine. j. Do why. do as we do in Europe. Ds;
something to foster and encourage the Legitimate
ssssy II EasSpf 70 sh +
md 4 Is placed beyond the caprice OF the public.
The Government donates to IL annually . sum.
by its work it never permits the taste Of Tie pub
lie 70 run after false gods; the people, Of course
like an olive with our sherry, ard then there 10
always the other theatre for the public to run
Critic. what would you suggest then, Madame,
. the readiest method to promote the legitimate
a..
Of States; each State has certainly large city,
generally its capital. am told that each state
appropriates q certain sum annually for its
and suS.ss II. p p1incpa theatre 50 that !.
be Independents until you have educated your
people up to the proper standard for them to pre-
Ter the legitimate to the bastard drama.
Critic Do you think that the Americans have
natural love for your art?
Mme. J. You can't call 1t that exactly. They
are fond Of theatres and patronize them literally,
but they are not actuated by the same motive that
| sends the European to the theatre. The French
aria love that grows in his breast from his as
ISOLATION with ART on every side. Americans only
go for diversion. Somebody must step in and
tell them what is genuine and what 1t spurious.
II not the State government, then some afiuent
Critic: why not some rich actor. We have .
Mmo. ]. It cannot be the actor 1t Is asking
| too much OF him. He has to work hard for life
dear SIR be wants to take his ease, like any other
man. Why, look At Edwin Booth, . case directly
| In point. He made his fortune early in life, and
proposed to found an American homo Of high art
The first two or three years he had money. Bat
1t 10 impossible TO educate your audiences In that
Boe anq
which hurried on disaster. He engaged bad COM
panies, and, quite naturally, wanted to play all
given other actors q cha.ce. He should have SUR
| rounded himself with the most promising people
in the profession, and let them ali feel that the
~ n n Tn hnv hoov, h0r rod oil 10
Critic. How do the generality Of American ae-
| tors compare in education to the European1
al
| Of Goethe, Racine, Schiller and other classic
| writer's, whose productions are studied by every
part Is given to him, and he rarely studies It be-
/ fore rehearsal, and then seldom more than mem
orizes the lines. They do not study to learn the
meaning and Significance Of every word. This IL
not their fault alone. 1t Is one Of the results Of
tho bad sensation plays which hold the American
produce iTit will make money for him He don't
teven care about good acsngff he can fill ! IL
house without II; The actor must, under these
the manager or the audience.
Critic. What do you think, Madame, Of $50
Nine. j. They have more to do with the present
bad state Of your stage than anything else. They
are ruinous alike to art and morals. One of the
dress and when they see the extravagant toilettes
worn by actresses in those trashy society" plays,
they envy the actress, and willingly ruin their
They are bad, bad, very bad. Daily can claim this
principally his work Il A%sfsap Women
nj q least two dresses appeared for every man.
Daly ought to appreciate his opportunity better.
learn something about infringement after while.
Critic. In what cities have you found the most
| appreciation Of the legitimate dramas:
then New York. In Richmond, Va. and Charles,
ton, s. G., found the legitimate eminently ap-
preciated. l should not complain, however; I
| have been most generously received everywhere,
pccted. Some Of the best audiences have had
this season were in Scranton, Easton, Wilkes
Critic. who DO you regard as the best American
actor you have seen3
say, however, that my opportunities have been
restricted; you know am travelling all the time.
have played every night except Sunday since
/ Critic. What American stock actors have you
mot who impressed you fayorably:
Nine. ]. ! have seen John Gilbert, Of Wal
Lacks In his line do not believe there is any
actor on the stage superior to him. He is Of the
old school of comedy and most excellent actor.
Globe, is good actor. Mr. Miles Levick, who
supports me, is good actor. He is full Of
promise, and his abilities are of high order. I
Judge Of anybody's abilities until have seen
them more than once.
Critic H.,s you seen Charlotte cas na1sD:
spring for . benefit at Phiisdeiphia. She un.
doubleday has been great actress, but should
Msrri h Queen Catherine and Lady Macbeth.
The FIRST was her greatest character. She has
made this character 50 completely her own, and
could recognize Meg SierriIss in everything she
Critic What other American actors hsve you
/ Nine. J. have seen Jefferson and Mrs D. p.
Bowers. The former is great artist and pleased
j Audieyh and Elizabeth" In the irst she WAS
excellent, very finished and artistic. In Eliza
beth" she only lacked ono thing, In my mind, to
II she had harder physisse. she could cure this
blemish. I don't want TO underrate her powers
even In Germany she would be regarded as . great
actress. We have an actress at home, Nine. BAN
Bandorf IS regarded very highly q Europe.
| Critic. What do you think Of Rfstorir
Nine. J. She is q great actress. can only point
out one defect in her acting. She has appeared
for so many years before foreign audiences that
or facial expression, that her audience may under
stand her; consequently, there Is . redundancy Of
and . Ssss a5s , esr
they very critical; but We, who speak the Ian
guage or know the text, perceive the weak spot
lewis as'S at the FINN Avenue
he % very good, and is an actor:
Critic. Have you seen any Of the ladies At thu
Nine o. .a yes; have seen them for several
years, but with the exception Of Clara Morris and
Agnes Ethel, I don't remember them. They did
| not please me, or should rccollect them. Some
Of them had pretty faces and fine dresses, but in
Germany they would only NIL walking lady parts.
They will do very we'll for these Humpty -Dumpty
l Cfitic. Have yuu seen Lester wallsekf
i Nine. j. Yes; he Ii . thorough artist-0ne Of
the best you have In America.
Critic. observe that You are announced ae
Booths theatre In "Chesney Void" on the I'D.
why do you not appear in ono Of your famous
characters? -
Nine. J. Because Mr.. Booth tells me that the
legitimate won't draw. and to compete with rival
theatres must appear In something new-some-
thing approximating to sensation. am under
contrast 10 him, and must BE- guided by his I'd.
Il vice. 1t 10 by no means my inclination TO stray
i from the paths Of the legitimate. s'Chesney
void" 10 very hns play. however. Any one who
has read Dickens story Of Bleak House" will en-
i ioy Il greatly. 1t was dramatised for me by
Henry ksndfe, whs used to enact poor Joe very
cisverly. He was consumpuye, and looked tho
character admirably. play Lady Dsdlock and
Hortense. They are both good parts.
CARRIAGES.
HADnT