National Republican., 1881-11-19
OUR NEW PLAYS.
WORK OF AMERICAN AUTHORS.
"MemnOn" for John Mccullough" Tho vaga-
bonds," "semaranis," "senator silver
bags" "a FOOLS Errand," "Bob,"
"Nobody's Husband" sc.
Among the new plnys by American au.

Among the new plays by American au-
thor is one written by Mr. Guy Carleton, Phila-
dclphlan, for Mr.. John Mccullough, entitled
"Memnon," which the actor has concluded not
to produce this season. ~ he had first intended.
Mr. Carleton who evidently aims at being olassi-
cal, and Is Of the school of those who do not be-
lieve that America can furnish theme as yet, has
about finished second work, which he will call
Semirnms." Lawrence Barrett has also new
piece called "Pendragon,' written by Mr..
Young, an old Chicago Journalist, which he pro-
poses to produce in a week or two in that city.
To show that tho aspirations Of American play
wrlghts or would-be dramatists are in a
fair way to be put to the test, we
quote play called "The vagnbonds," by the
Higgins Brothers, Of Oakland, Cal, shortly
to be produced by NJ. A. Kennedy; another,
known as "senator silverbags," also by Callfor-
MIA writer; sensational melodrama by Pitts.
burg journalist for Louis James and Marie Vain
wright which, 1t is said, they will produce under
the management of Mr.. W. Il. Hayden, Tom
Kcene's manager; Minnie Palmer'ss"My Sweet
heart" which was produced here, at the Opera
House, recently an imitation of "widow Bedott"
entitled Mrs. Partngton," which n man by the
name of Fostello is playing through the Northwest
A. @. Gunter's new piece, 1.-THE Journalist 10 be
produced in Chicago on the 9th proximo
by Frank Gardner's company; tho Dramatic
Times notes four new pieces by Philadel-
Onc ny ME- SHhTicS IL ilo1t VI
the Boston Post, and the others by Mr.
NJ II. Rosenfeld. Mr.. Sllas G, Pratt Of Chicago, and
Mr.. Bronson Howard In addition 10 these are
Sidney Rosenfeld's "Florinol," which, after a sue
cessful opening in Philadelphia, is enjoying good
run in the Western Cities with Julia A. Hunt In the
title role; Towards Amateur Benefit" which was
presented at the National this week by salsbury's
Troubadours: Mrs. Burnetts Esmcralda" wlrch
has scored pronounced success at the Madison
Now York GuntQrg ID A. M. :" which
Robson and Crane think they will produce at the
Globe Theatre Boston, at an early day; play read
to Manager Morley, OF the Chestnut, Philadelphia,
n few days ago by Mr.. j. +. Mackayi Judge
Tourgees play,
"a FOOLS ERRAND,"
which Notwithstanding its failure in Philadelphia,
Steele Mackaye proposes TO take upon the road.
Then we have q new play by n member of the
Penn Club, of the Quaker Cty-no naues given;
Mr. shannon's money Bags" which is spoken of
as worthy of success; Lotta's new play, Bob" for
which she paid Fred. Marsden 5000, which sum,
| by the way, she cleared with the piece the first
weeks business in Philadelphia Gus Williams
| piece, "Wanted, A Carpenter and a second one,
written for him by Harry Kramer, of Boston
name not given; bran.new folly by Bradford,
of Boston, for Alice and Louis Harrison, of
Photos" fame; Nat Goodwin's new sketch,
entitled Camille by physician of Cleve-
land, Ohio, where Frank Byrd Wilson, the author
of "Our Flirtaions," has recently put under way
an original comedy, TO say nothing of Harrigan &
| Harts Major" which Is coming them money at
| their new house on Broadway. Mr. W. r. Hayden,
who seems to be willing TO dare what man may
dare in the way of management, contemplatcs or
gnnizing n company TO support James ONeil in n
new piece by an American author, Madame jan
auscheck last week played salmi Morse's new play,
The Doctor of Lima" at the Union Square, New
York. Itachieved n moderate success, which Is
more than is deserved by play in which physi-
clan experimenting with galvanic battery, brings
| to life female body, ana then Notwithstanding
| sho has no intelligence nor memory, is mentally
| almost anidlot marries her and has children by
her. Mr.. Arlington, formerly at the head of Ar
| lington's Minstrels, has organized company TO
| take the road In
"NoBoDY's HUSBAND
a new piece-author not named. Robert Frazer
| has written q new pantomime, called Snowballs
or, Follics Of Night" with which he proposes to
take the road Katherine Rogers is travelling with
her own company in new play, entitled "Claiice
or, All for Love-" believed to be by an American
author Mckee Rankin's "49" IL by an American
whatever may be the dispute as TO which Amerl-
can wrote it. Frederick Paulding has new
play, "Lornincs Pride" written for him by hi:
manager, J. b. Mccormack, formerly of the Gin
cinnati Enquirer. Willie Edouins new piecc,
"Ripples," scored success at New Orleans the
week before last. In comic opera by American
pens we note n new one, 1.-THE Ambassador" by
Petit and West which Mr.. Augustin DAILY thinks
| of producing shortly, and belmont and Darling's
| TWELVE JOLLY BACHELORS"
which has enjoyed a run of two weeks at the
| Windsor in Boston Reports are contradictory as
| the merits OF this work. The Dramatic Netos says:
"Many OF the faults discovered on its earlier per-
| formances have been remedicd, and the hbrotto
and action have been considerably improved. It's
light and pleasing airs have made II popular and
with the addition of one or two robust choruses
judicious intermixture of stirring incident, and
and moro vivacious finale, something, for in
stance, after the manner of the Idrdildoe to oil
| yette' IL cannot fail to make a pronounced
success. Some of the most taking things
in the piece are the sextette the tobacco song and
a very pretty mnuet" On the other hand. Byrne's
Dramatic Times sums 1t up.as follows: "'Tho
Twelve Jolly Bachelors is not long destined for
this world. but will soon depart to the land where
the lion roareth and the whangdoodlo mourneth
for its first born. The plot has already been given,
and to this can only be added that II is more In
fantile and clumsy than II was ut first supposed II
| would be. The dialogue could not be worse, and
II the piece is to be given in other cities II must be
rewritten The music, ifno great, is at least pleas
ing To say otherwise would reflect upon Verdi
Sullivan. and L. L. Rice who have furnished much
OF IL in other FORMS The company engaged Is
more than equal to the light requirements of the
piece, Upon the opening night the clacque were
| numerous, and corps Of crop-haired, BEETLE
browed youth honored the composer with their
intelligent approval. Their conduct may lead
other young men to compose comic operas, with
the assistance of a barrel organ"
PERHAPS IT WOULD BE EQUITABLE
to strike an average and say that the piece, while
not startlingin Its excellence will deserve iair
success. Al least that, we hope for we understand
that MT Darling, the composer, who is said to be
New York vocalist not quite twenty years of age
| has put the work out with the view to make money
enough to take him to Europe to complete his
| musical education. We are aware that our list OF
new plays by American authors (Which, It will be
seen, comprises forty pieces nearly all to be tried
during the present season) is by no means COM
plete; eighty would be nearer the correct figure
But II will be that TO the man who desires tc
enter upon the work the fields are white to the
harvest" and 1t only remains for him to "put In
his sickle" Many Of these pieces are undoubt.
edly mere adaptations and limitations treating Of
Old World topics and laid In foreign countries
but the fact that American authors nre given aI
opportunity opens the way 10 the native play
wrlght's dealing with home topics. We have nc
doubt of the possibilities TO the right man. The
much-talked-of
AMERICAN PLAY"
will OF course never be written by the man who
goes to work with that purpose only in view. II vii
come from the pen OF the man who works for th1
sake of the art IL will grow out Of the inspiration
of his genuis IL cannot DO written to order. Il
seems that the French theatres have fallen into thu
prevailing custom Of running piece for months
at n time, whereby It comes topass that single
house will produce but one or two plays In year
instead of halfa dozen or more, us formerly. Thi
cuts of the supplies Of the milliners Of the Daly
school, who live by stealing the work Of othel
mems brains, and American managers begin L
look to native talent for material II is notec
that whereas short time ago nearly all the liter
ary men of France were writing for the stage, nov
that the market has narrowed down 80 as to onl,
give the few chance To sell their wares they hay,
| tnrnnh ihnlr nnnrples TO nnYel. Mrillnp