The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-19

annual contribution TO the wallack repertoire II -
no, surprising therefore, that Mr., wheciers Twins
should DO tho only American comedy attempted ~
ihat house within three years AT tue Union SQUARE
the pToductons are mostly confined 70 tho successes
OF he French and English stage Tho Two Orphans
"Rose Michel" Lies Dapichois." and now "Plnk
Domnos," have followed each other in rapid
tons with Mr. Day's eano to them make up the pro
grsmne from year TO year Even at the other houses
Just star.ing as the Lyceum and the New brore"ay,
the season begins WITH "star'' pieces ME- Ihorne
opens with a play adapted by Sir. d. W. waller ior
Mrs Waller and OF course II IL Intended 'or inc coun
try m,rket Mr.. James O. Dun begins with Joaquin
MIXERS "Danes. ana although Il 10 described ia inc
advertisement as an "dylic drama IL tac!tiy under
stood that It's chief attraction VIII he M Mckee
Rankin. Every theatre in New York depends this
season for It's success upon stars or combinations.
Bouclcaut and the "Brdai Tour go 10 Walacks; tho
William start IRON Inc Union Square with sstruck
Ol;" Jefferson Is engaged for the Fiith Avenue ;
sotbern opens The Park, aud the Fiorenocs w have
long fall campaign in TINS city Janauscnck and 9th
ers are announced for the New Broadway. Just now
New York manager would laugh at the idea OF doing an
American play, and the only Instance that we know OF
there Is TO DO attempt at doing such thing
Is at the Lycoum whcrs Mr. Thorne has IN hand play
OUR THEATRES As hill BOARDS.
II follows from all this that managers nowadays will
not take the risk OF producing new pieces Indeed,
nearly all thc plays Of Amsrcan origin which have
beea done IN this city tor years past were put upon the
stage at the cost either or the anthor or the star and
SO the New York stage becomes only On advertising
medium ior the country market. IL Is impossible 10
recount the results OF such system without laushing
at tue absurdy OF The thing The success Of Mr. John
I. Ray moud rs Colonel Sellers IN "Gildsd Age"
The incentive this policy, ana tue succeed
Ing triumph Of Mr.. Florence Us Bardwe Slote the
'M,yhiy Dolar' made II the rage Mr.. George Fhw-
cett Rowe tried II with his play Of ''brass. " Mr..
Stuart Robson parted with some hard earned shexels
in like attempt with Bret hares 'rwo Men OF Sandy
Bar" Mr.. Leonard Grover adopted the same plan 10
get his .'Boardng House'' before country managers
audiences Miss Mary Cary came all tho way from
Boston TO get the seal oil metropolitan approval Tor her
sIpuor 10" MISS Lette Allen or her manager spent
some $4,000 ON .Woodls'gn. a. wall"cks. or i tue
ton OF Baby" ut Tho Park and "Ah SIM at
the Fifth Avenue In tne dog days Miss
10 use Pomeroy and halt score Of Others who
hired empty theatre for limitca number Of nights
and played m engagement. 10 prepare them TO IN
slrs Of the dramatic ornament and this Is the way
they were made. II cost money, but the outlay De-
,im'oarv notices Tho eject upor art rs disastrous
Such policy Is fast scanning the door IN the faces OF
trained and legitimate artists, whe the American dra-
has chance even TO get his pieces read unless
no ~ wiling TO intrust them 10 actors and actresses
who would simply play the dcv'iwlth them.
AN OLD ACroRs VIEWS
In tho OF his peregrnations in search OF In
formation the reporter encountered veteran actor
who has all his iie boon content to be member OF
stock company Here WAS an opportunity 10 got At
the bottom facts but old actor consented u talk
only on condition that his name should not appear
~ GU ee he said sin the theatrical profession u IS
dangerous 10 talk too much aud especially dangerous
TO tell the truth. II Mr. -- knew was telling you
anything about the condition OF the stage think
he,wouId try snd cancel my engagement Tomorrow.
/ think II would be a good thing, however, II
the HERALD would undertake to expose some Of the
wrongs which are dragging the profession down TO
perditlon. l am dramatic Jsrem lah by any
MEANS and have many excellent actors since
young actor myself; but l confess begin 10 be
alarmed There IL longer any such thing as line
oi business In tho profession. Few actors nowadays
are able 10 maintain their position rs leading men,
leading Juveniles or walking gentlemen even nave
Charles Fisher play Sir Peter reaZle one week
and the second old man the next Then there Is John
Brougham-good Jolly, genial John. quarter OF
century ago his name was Ia cvcrybody's mouth.
He almost as good An actor how as ne ever
was, and yet be has been compelled 10 undertake
u provincial tour 10 revive his name and prestige. At
Que his drumas and burlesques aud extravaganzas
were Us popular as anything Dumas Sardou or Tom
Taylor ever wrote. But my boy, how are the mighty
alleu II mad DRAMA or a comedy or tragedy BET
than anything Surdou Tom Taylor or Robertson, or
Sheridan, Shakespeare ever wrote would put II IN
the fire, for there would be just mech cnance Of
having it produced as there Is OF getting struck by
lightning"