The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-16
ACTORS, MANAGERS, COMBINATIONS
AND PLAYWRIGHTS.

To THE EDITOR OF HERALD
A few days since was informed by prominent
member of the theatrical profession that eighty
musical and dramatic combinations will organize in
the cities Of New York. Philadelphia. Boston and
Chicago during the present summer and that not
more than eight theatres within the United States
will employ regular stock companies next
This almost unanimous adoption Of the ''combina-
ton system by bids fair to greatly injure the
theatrical profession and bring ruin upon out of
managers and theatre proprietors, who win DO
unable to engage stars without their companies.
Nor can they run their theatres with simple stock
attraction only. Hence it follows that they must
either close their houses meet the extortionate
demands of the stars in question, whose terms are
from sixty to eighty per cent of the gross receipts of
each performance. When we take into consideration
that the manager must out of his comparatively
triang share of tho proceeds. meet the regular
expenses of his theatre. consisting of rent ncws-
paper Advertising bill posting gas. properties. lum
Der. canvas. paint &c, together with the salaries
of carpenters. ushers and musicians, is it by any
means surprising that some OF our hitherto we'll
TODD managers said to be the verge OF failure?
This combination system is not only likely to have
n ruinous effect upon managers. but upon the dra-
matte profession generally. For about ten months
of the year the actor IL obliged BIO absent from
his home, and il subjected to all manner of annoy
and Inconvenience. If he is family man this
unsettled life must prove anything but pleasant to
he is beset by innumerable temptations peculiar to
those who lead public lives.
The repertoire Of star comprises from one to three
plays; then how IL the young actor to gain the
perience necessary to make him master of his art?
The result is obvious. When the of the public
changes. as IL certainly WILL and higher grade and
more finished style OF drama, approaching nearer tho
legitimate than that In vogue at present, is de.
handed where to look for competent and
finished artists? But few. tear. will be forthcom
ing from the recruits of the past Ave years.
doubt whether l am lar wrong when l predict
that the time Is not lar distant tho American
professionals. tor the ranks OF our old and thor
oughy experienced actors fast thinning out.
The school oil acting which once existed has passed
away
dramatic author to suffer also. 1t is melancholy
fact that the American play wright has received but
little encouragement from the American manager,
but the unfortunate knight oil the quill IL in
fair way of passing entirely into oblivion. What
object has he to work when there exists market
for his productions To be sure he can write
satona plays for third rate stars ~ at about fifty
cents folio. while prominent artists paying
foreign authors from S,0OJupward Tor plays OF only
ordinary merit.
The American playwright who would bring piece
before the public to-day must possess both business
and literary ability ana good bank account we'll,
nish the company for its rendition and quantity of
expensive pictorial printing and advertising matter
and quite ofe properties costumes &C., before any
manager will agree to place il upon the stage. In
ing for play, provided OF course, IL as good
one. In writing the above have not tor instant
entertained the tantost idea that any protest mgh
offer would in the ghtest degree alioct the
ments OF either manager or actor. My object is
simply to point out some of the owls which. 1 am
confident, certain to attend the continuance of
this combination system
CHARLES Il. NEWTON.