The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-22
day. had forgotten all about IT, save that somebody
In hook had slept IN the Calskis for twenty cara

Judgment II 10 the strongest In which the English
dranatist l certainly want better Three four
Important additions may be made but concerning
Information. number q new pieces are on our pro-
sramms for production during the season from
December 70 Su propose and
A STAGE SETTING VIEWED pHILosoPHcALLy.
"What scenic preparations are being madef'
sThe play OF Clarssa Harlowe' Is in three acts,
and requires three elaborate sets, all Of which are
now completed, except one or two small pieces, as
you may have seen on the stage during my directions
TO Mr. Claire, one OF the scenic artists Speaking Of
this object to the stage setting OF play being SO
prom nent and glarin2 that tho whole dramatic Pic
ture is reversed lin other words the characters be-
ing thrown in tho background while the painting
comes the front. and the dialogue Is lost IN the
COME plalion OF that win IL merely picturesque
1t Inversion OF the whole dramatic principle. 1
10 as4 Of
Pride OF Messina' sat beside the author, Sheridan
Knowles Tho second act OF Tho piece represented Mount
Htna and the whole act consisted OF u magnificent
scene between John ana his son. played by Mr.
Moore and Mr. Anderson At tho concluAion
turned TO Knowles and venturcd the remark, That's
splendid scene. He laid his hand upon my shoulder
and snail never forget his reply. IT may be.
fellow Grieve has painted much finer
one IN the background. Inc fact Is, we are over
Acsors and acress: when place new Part N their
hands, frequently approach mo on the following day
with the ques.ion-wna. do you think ought to
Damn II, wear your character They are always
inclined TO study the outside instead OF tho inside.
''But have you not yourself largely contributed to
the Introduction OF scenic effects, and set the example
which you now stigmatizer'
sit Is partially true; but there Is vast difference
between scenic effect such the cave In tue
.shaughrap which is essentially vital 10 Inc action
OF the play, aud without which II could proceed,
ana inc Unnecessary clothing OF scenery, properties
and dresses OF weak work which serve only TO
csal deiects-'
Evidently then, you arc not In favor Of the pan
'If you the stage place for the exhibition
OF fashion plates cer.aluly not but always desire
the best costumes that can DO had"
PERSONAL PURPOSES
"Do you propose 10 produce any other play than
'Clarisa HarIowe' during the coming seasonyn
~ would prefer to leave room Tor another drama.
fist, but have another work on the stocks. which
viii DO presented n Mr. WALLACE desires and reourss
it. have new Irish play in which shall probably
appear IL is under consideration also TO reproduce
the 'Snaughran Tor short season, Ihe Colleen
Bawp,' 'Arrah-na-Pogue' and Daddy O'Dowd.'
sincerely hope that the next season will be my last as
"wny-don't you like acting, Mr. BoueicauIt?o
''Not all. l dislike II extremely. l never 90
/ count time oy heart throbs' and as each act Is
over feel that much relieved. When am acting |
accomplishing ther tasks--rather than paying nj.
tcnton to myself The author is predomi ent, and
my feelings are naturally in the artistic literary
element. would much prefer TO direct q rehearsal
than BIO engaged In performance however
cessu-in other words 10 suggest possibilities and
enjoy the results. presume this feeling arises from
tho fact that followed the literary Profession us an
author tor ten years before appeared actor"
MAY ask, without intending to offend. now old
you are and you vii, quickly run over some salient
points connected with your literary work 2"
Certainly. I'm hl.y.slx years Of age and have
been writing thrty-eight years. don't know how
many plays havo written, but there IL scarcely u
theatre In Christcndom Ia which of my produc.
TONS during the theatrical season nightly
formed 1 regard my best soason's work as that OF
1859 and 1850, during which l produced the play OF
ssm,ke' IN the repertoire Of Mr. Jefferson; the Oc.
toroon,' Jennie Deans Vanity FAIR and tue
iay, one after other pom could ly ever Tho
paper Thor production occupied me altogether
teen weeks Among these pieces ioar or Ave survive
have received over 5000, 0OO"
A MANAGERS.
"Referring to The reproduction OF your own and
other old plays, you seem to recognize the fact
that tho pubic are satisfied with what has already
been tried and not found wanting rather than with
experiments low do you account for ths2"
81 am 100 old 10 account Tor anything, but OF the
condition OF things regard very Important one to
BIO the existence u 50 many showmen IN the manage
men. Of theatres and SO low real managcrs-so few
they have the ambition to do SO there some men
who employ actors as they would buy -four or VINE,
by the brand the barrel or bottle, and, therefore,
obtain not well balanced company, but u collection
OF names which they consider strength. In the Sc
influences. They hear what has successful In
London or Paris, but are incapable OF approaching
author. Thus works oil merit may be condemn NED TO
obscurty because The lessses OF theatres arc unable
70 oetnRuwn DetHecn tho RoOd and the bad
PAST AND PRESENT
"Do you think there is difference In audiences as
compared with those OF twenty-five years agoY"
rhat Is difficult question 10 answer, except In one
way. Audiences In old times knew more about good
acting and good plays than they do now. Their aion-
ton then directed 10 the literary element
the development OF character anu tnose things
which constitute tho real strength OF the dra-
matte structure. They were content with worse
scenery, poorer dresses and common furniture.
and would not have tolerated what is now
considered good acting. Many ol the pubic iavorles
of In had a al fv,on 6vn
years ago, would have quietly relocated 10 the
lower regions or felt pro0d 10 nave received pttance
enough TO pay Tor their shoes and stockings. When
arrived In New York, In 1888, saw gathered IN three
thcaRes three distinct companies, either OF which
could have supplied ten modern stars. 1t the old
school OF acting that brought to tho scores OF
people whose names are now household words In the
profession"
suppose possible for those old stock actors
to rcappcar in the flesh, do you think the present
pubic would accept them as true type OF actors p"
'fhe c0msdiansY nearly all OF them, yes. think
thor performances would Dc revelation. Tho TRACE
dams would not be SO successful doubt whether
Mr. Macready would be warmly received. Their style
was TOO exaggerated, suited, strong and full OF man
perisms. The public Of to-day 10 accustomed to re.
pose regards the old dramatiss III ny were skilled
in construction ami brilliant IN dialogue some among
them may have been art lAcial, but they always had
movement and design. Modern playa on the contrary
appear more like compressed novels. The writers
EN- to iear ~ conds to actors explosions of passon
Nor are the audiences prepared Tor them. WHAT
most see 10 what VIC call IN England "Theatrc Royal
back drawing room actng''-seIf- contaI ned, quiet
louuging. In Short to be casy the stage nowadays
enough about tho stage and It's people. Let me say
word on another subjsct and stop.
SUGGESTION TO PRKss
of tho gentlemen connected with the press would
take more genial interest IN the welfare OF the
drama and throw less personal feeling into their
criiicsfns-I Knew that every mau has III es
oskes IN that II 10 difficult divcst ones soft 81 his
prcjudices-it would be better Tor our profession.
There IRE many able writers aud keen observers
among journalists who could N thcy pleased, greatly
advance the Interests oil the drama but appears 10
me- that they are too frequently engaged IN writing
Il nj
the paper on which they are employed, at the ex.
pcnss VI what conceive to be principle. On the
other hand there are managers actors actresses
VINO are more engaged III thinking what viii be sau
OF them IN tho daily newspapers In endoavorn g
TO deserve good opinions. They are IN n perpetual
trcmois as u reign Of terror existed Therefore I
say, II journalists would condsscend to study the
drama aud the art Of acting, and loss Tor
writing they would render most important service 70
the American stage"
THE NEW WORK npERA SrAcnN