New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-03
COINCIDENCE OR PLAGIARISM

/ THE NEW PLAY At TIE STANDARD THEATRE-AN
ORIGINAL AMERICAN PLAY WITH THE SAME
! NAME AND MOTIVE or AN ENGLISH NOVEL,
| Very few of the theatres have even yet any
fixed plans for the coming season, other than stated In
last Saturdays TRIBUNE All sorts OF embarrassments
and some financial complications interfere with the en-
gagemeut Of companies and the production OF new plays
AZ one or old and fvorte resorts aud some OF the
plans determined upon Ikely to be overhrown. The
only manager who has In fact nc the present time laid
any definite schemes for the OF 1s7S79is Mana
ger William Henderson. OF the Standard Theatre and his
arrangements likely TO be nterfered with and com
| pletcly upset.
Manager Henderson several months ago purchased
what was represented 10 him TO be original American
play. which had been copyrighted under the name OF
An open Verdict" not only In this country but In
England. large paid for the sale. permission
60 perform the piece In EewYOrs and around this coun-
try except California the author reseryng her rights
for that State and Great britain and Australia Among
the conditions insisted upon the production Of the
play prior 20 October /, the engagement OF certain
character actors" for whom the parts were specially
designed. including Mrs. Emma Waller Miss
Rose Osborne flor whom the author had conceived
great admiration as artisp, Miss May
Davenport Benjamin r. McGnley and Charles Ieelercq.
d. W. Waller Formerly stage manager NJ Booths, TO
be engaged specially 10 and direct the piece New
scenes throughout were TO be painted. and the piece
was TO be mounted well as east In the finest style.
Mir Henderson was well pleased with the novelty OF
the plot variety OF incident and character and the op
portuny display and effects furnished by the
play that he agreed 10 the terms aud gagged most
expensive company for forty-two weeks travel with
the piece after ITS production hero. Scenic
artists have been employed and much money
has been expended d preparing the piece
After signing contracts with the company, spending
about ~ 500 scenery alone giving bis artists carte
blanche 10 dressesss Osborne alone wears ve yery
costly costumes, and M Davenport has 10 wear three
drcsss In the first two actsMr Henderson, 10 his disgust
and dsmay learned nom some OF The newspapers thai
his "0rigina play" ''adapta name aud all
OF Miss NJ +. Braddon's novel. lately published by
Harper Brothers aud called An open Verdict" He
az once wrote author no Washington calling atteu
20 the statements and expects an answer shortly.
IL cannot bell ve," said Mr Henderson 10 reporter
"thut the play Is adaptation OF any Eugllsh novel;
with English and characters. IL Is essentially
American In locality character and plot The fact Is
that some Of the incidents which turn our laws State
National, could not have naturally occurred In Eng
land" 49,
tfy half OF her husband, which your play said
to be based are Identical with those Of England"
particular Is only one and not the principal
! one OF the play. 1 avn sure The play Is nos an
the name selected highly appropriate No,
| It can't be ythng more than Identity Of name.
Why, Mrs. Waer's part ~ that Ot person VINO cOud
not have existed in England at all Then there rs judge
OF tine NowYOrk Oyer and rernner Court, who oad
lsh life. Mr. Maginley To play old servant OF
charIrter unknown In England. No, no,
have not been deceived. But / shall know In afew
days"
On inquiry OF Harper & Brothers It was found that
Miss BraddOn's novel published by them ia January
last but that does not turn on the subject OF WiIes
evidence for against her husband, ana there 10 Moth
ing in the book ON the subject
ton April A, 1873 by Baker Goodwin, printers, OF
No. % Parkroy. They say that they merely put m
Original American Play In Five Acts az the request OF
the author aud subsequently, made an assignment OF Il
the present proprietor. They did not feel at liberty
10 tell the authors name