The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-09-09
Miss GenevieVe Ward on American
Audiences and Critics.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC ARTIST.
The San Francisco Minstrels' Wonderful
Programme.
d PLEA FOR ACTORS AND AUTHORS.

few days ago Mr.. Adoph Neuendorf, the manager
and of the Germania Theatre, re5urned from
his European tour where he had beennn search OF
new artists and plays for his placcsof entertain
ment
The season at the Germania begins onrhe 14th inst
and in order to learn from Mr.. Neucndorn bis pro-
xramme for the season. the composition OF his troupe
and other matters bearing upon the-conduct OF tho
German stage, representative OF the HERALD called
upon him for his views.
Manager Neuendord was found by1he writer in his
prhco deeply engaged in preparations for the coming
SEASON. He nevertheless promptly surrendered HIM
sef to the interrogation points OF tho HgRALD nquisi
tor, and opened tho conversation by saying
"rhe OF the German stage, utter the old Stads
Theatre was closed in 1871 wsss inauguraied by
the opening OF the German Theatre in
Che fall OF 1872 This is, the establish
nent formerly occupied by Blyan,s Minstres
We found tho stage entirely too ,sna and made
4uaie Tor our purpose and such dressing rooms as
there had TO be torn down and rebuilt great
deal OF money spent by so as to suit its pres
ent higher artistic purposes and thus TO create q
cosey little theatre fitted for the production OF any
work either in tho dramatic opcratic or comedy line
The theatre being situated in the best location
tor The German population 1 was convinced that in
order to succeed would be compelled TO create tout
ensemble in respect actors and acting entirely
In city, therefore resolved only those
pf the then resident German actors whom knew to
be up to the proper standard and to import the prn
rpal artists from Europe. This rule have strictly
Adhered this day. My company is, therefore,
repenished every seasonaby new mportations OF the
most favortc and actresses Europe selected
BY mo during my trips across the water"
THE GERMAN REPERTOIRE.
sswhar about your repertoire, Mr. Ncuendortf"
tha ,rv{to
'In that respect differ with every other manager
of the English speaking stage OF county forthe
following reasons s-Flrs-The American theatres, on
account OF having much larger public TO cater to
than any German theatre, can run play for longer
number OF nights, while bavo to change very often
for the purpose OF attraction. Second-The German
public differs entirely from the American Tholatter
Is accustomed long runs Of plays, aud even witness
The same performance several times, whereas the
Germans adhere habits OF the old country, and
demand OF me their German theatre the samerapid
change of programme Is customary IN Europe.
There tho managers mako It point TO change their
repertoire often as possible for the sake'of var-
htioD."
.'How long can you play without damage 70
II have played certain pieces which mace q NIT at
the start for fortnight at the utmost 6u! these 90
casions Generally am compellsd'to change
Be policy Tor mo 10 repeat one OF these plays during
tho season without GRIPPING my receipts. THIS Is
nho nicn debars mo from Duiiding 8tand-
ing repertoire make II my utmost cndeavor to vary
my performances as much as possible 50 as TO oner
10 ne only small portion OF tho German public which
1requents this theatre as many attrac,nns as DOS
sible."
'Doss not some of the American public patronze
: .Yeo, sir, some. but not in great numbers Those.
who do attend for the purpose OF studying the
AUDIENCES AND PLAYS
'.what is the character of your sud1encesr'
"rhe attendance al my theatre CONSISTS only OF the
aI-Am
citizens, all well versed In tho German classical.
land modern literature. and well acquainted with
theatrical matters in Germany
"Have you many plays at your disposal that you.'
IRE able 10 change your programme oflens''
ayes, sir; the old German dramatic literature is SO
extensive and our modern German authors are so
productive that can never run short Of interesting
pears In Germany. Besides this have made con-
Tracts with large number OF the most renowned,
herman authors, in which they bind themselves tor
hurnisn me with a certain number OF plays every
season which are my sole property not only for thoS
adapting ana reproducing the Same on the American
stage"
"Wbat arc the ames OF these AUTHORSHIP
''Among others am IN business connection with
raul Lndau, julius Rosen, Adoph Laronge, Oscar
Bumcnthai, Anzengruber, &c.
"Can you give a synopsis Of the plays you intend.
no produce this coming season1'
..My company has only arrived within a few days.
la1d our repertoire has not boon July made out
lst, the following comedies, iarces aud vaudsvllles
i.De guten FTeundc,' Essex Man sucht eincn
Erzehor lin vorzimmer soiner Exceilenz.' Prin.
GORE .Das crsts Mittagsessen, Probirmamseli,
f.Dora,' Die drei LaDghaense. Freundo Friiz,' Das
iyierIe Gepot,' Elm faastschlag' ARIA und Mesa
lima, Wir,' 'COusne aus Wen, &C."
III many pays are produced in Germany
what is the reason that no more have been translated
aud transferred TO the American stager
"Most OF the German plays being pictures OF Ger
1nan lite and habits aud on TINS account uninterest
ang to inc American public are not well adapted Tor
reproduction Many OF those however winch
based upon more general subjects, have been trans
lated ahd reproduced on the American stage, such,
To as sltcDcr (CnafnpHRne
and oystersD, Mosor's 'Uitimo' rBig BonanzPl,
Rosen's CltrOncn' cLemonsD and a great many
Aothers"
CONTRAST ISvIrEp.
Chow do German compare with French or Amer
..rhat Is hard question for me to aDswer. | miss
IN the American dramatic literature such classic
boast OF Foltafe aud MoIefe. In the productions OF
modern dramatic literature France, In my judgment.
Stands ON a level with Germany"
HOME QUESTIONS
do tho Germans apply tue same rules that Ameri-
exactng OF the utmost excellence by predju-
dice and educationf They certainly show themselves
10 be IN tue case OF musc?"
ain regard "A new play, the German has ono great
rule, and that Is never to pass judgment theron on
III the cniue piece is flushed in order TO get the
impression OF the whole work He then arrives n
coDciusion for good or bad as the case may be- The
the same as II would be " applied by the Americans,
although am bound to say that tho Germans are
somewhat more sentimcntally inclined. AS to their
being more exacting by reason OF prejudice and ed
cation that accounted Tor by the Tact that those
who patronize tho German drama are, as previously
stated. fully conversant with tho works OF Schiller
Boethc, Lessing aud also Shakespeare from thor
early youth"
PLAY.
.By what method DO you retain The patronage Of
your public2 Is ~ price or playY'
AMY method ~ 10 satisfy we'll as TO elevate the
taste OF my patrons, although have TO make conces-
ponsn my repertoire by performing TOT only high elias
bical dramas, but also comedy burcsque, &C. In order
10 cater TO tho individual taste OF the neatresoer by
ahese means draw the masses and my entertain
ments yield handsome revenue In this respect my
position is entirely different from many theatrical
managers in Germany, who draw large SUBSIDIES from
Rhe government, aud eau therefore afford 70 Indulge
On the most oxtravagant expenditures i try at all
shines TO give the. very best IN every genre at
freasonaDle prices."
"In engaging your company for this season did you
have a view push special genre of plays and in
SEND 20 have any so.calcd stars play at your thea
lrsYn