, 1879-07-20
NEW YORK.
COMFORTABLE MIR. BouCIOAULT.

NEW YORK, July 1b.-Mr. Boucicault came
down the main staircase inside hls house in East
Fifteenth street yesterday afternoon just as I
was climbing the fight OF stone steps which
lead up TO the front door. He was clad in a
cool-looking suit Of blue flannel, white hat
pierced with halta-dozen holes to let in imagi-
nary air, and pair Of natty patent-leather
pumps. A summer mustache and imperial
sottened the outlines Of his lips and chin, aud
diamond collar-button flashed at his neck, re-
placing less comfortable tie, The d1amatist
WAS IS full Of energy as If the mercury wasn't
sizzling o7er the top Of every thermometer in
New York, and be WAS apparently US comfort
able as.sf surroundedb by the four walls OF STEM
winding, lever-attachment, allegreti refriger-
ator.
Jump right into the carriage with me,'' he
exclaimed. b,1stl;ng down the steps, *'and ride
up to the theatre I am 80 pressed with all
kinds Of business that I have scarcely mo-
ment to myself, nieht OR day. You see, I
am personally suDerintending all the alterations
IN the theatre, purchasing my own lumber
and other supplies, engaging and dischargins
my workmen, and doing host OF other things
in addition to my regular literary duties."
: By this time the coup pc was rattling over the
pavement up Fifth avenue, and Mr.. Boucicault
was preparing to avoid being "pumped"
THE NEW PLAY AND COMPANY.
How about the new playan asked in a
tone which was intended to convey Innocence of
any interviewing motive.
ut has been finished for soms time" replied
the dramatist and manager with the sort OF
brevity which showed me couldn't play inno-
cence worth continental.
'sAnd have You engaged the company to per
form its'
"Yes. Every gap is filed Every part in the
play was written With certain actor or actress
in view, and each Of those has been engaged.
hare now only TO secure the understu1y."
What is the uuderstudya'"
"Why, persons to study up the parts SO as to
be able to go on at moments notice aud as
sumo any character in the play in case of acct
dent or sickness to the one originally cast for
it. The 'understudy is an important factor
in wel1-regulated dramatic company"
THE THEATRE.
tsWhat &re your plans regarding Booths
Theatre, and what line Of action shall you fol-
loW at the outset4"
swell, I'll tell you all about it. Booths
Theatre meyer has been afforded proper oD-
portunity to rank with the first amusement
houses in New York When the place WAS first
opened, it was star theatre, OF course, Edwin
Booth being the star. Since then it has rapidly
degenerated, until it finally reached stage
where it was nothing more nor less than
hack, standing upon the street where anybody
who chose could jump On and take ride. I
said to myself, Here ID q theatre going to
rnin, when 1t might rank with the best in the
country Then I looked about and saw that
some OF the very best dramatic artists ever pro-
duced in America we're going to have no better
employment next season than to Hander about
the country supporting some mediocre star.
Here Was drst-class theatre, there was the
making Of splendid company. Why not bring
them toeether, fit them with proper vehicle,
and place them before the pub1ic4
This is in a nutshell rhat am attempting
to do,-onlv this and nothing more About the
lst OF September I shall open the theatre, with
no preliminary flourish whatever. Ny, company
r sBa be 5s. nsss ri R play ss he4e vi. be ssss ss
Of Of them. e' It they are good, good why, I
the public will find that out for itself. II they
are not good, Whv, then the. public's verdict
will settle that at once and forever. Mr. aim is
to establish an institution as much as possible
after the plan Of the Comedie Francaise, where
ouiy merit can win. No person In my company
Is going to be held in check for the benefit Of
any other person. It is going to be race
where none of the horses will be pulled.
Should the first, or second, or tenth member OF
the comp pany spriug to the front,-why they will
go there, THAT'S all. mean to encourage these
exhibitions Of talent to the utmost of my abil-
ity, without regard to where the talent may be
found"
TIE INDIVIDUALS.
t'Who are the members OF your organization
thus far engaged?n
1.-The company is all engaged. John CLAYTON,