New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-10
THEATRICAL SYSTEMS.
CHANGES IN THE STAR AND COMBINATION
COMPANIES.

MANAGER AUGUsTIN DAILY PREDICTS RETURN TO
THE STOCK SYSTEM.
Augustin DAILY has been for fifteen years one
OF the most prominent managers OF New-York and his
name is often mons mouths and In the papers yet he
a personally among the least familiar OF what may be
sailed public figures In the profession Which depends so
much for success publicity. Those who know him
end his pushing energetic way VIII perhaps not attrb-
ute it to over modesty but 1t Is fact that he Is seldom
seen in the street and only semi-occasonay front
of his own theatre; still rarely before his
tain This inclination secusion Is the consequence OF
an intense devotion TO his particular busnessor his
combination OF profession as playwright and his busi-
ness as manager His Is peculiar nervous tempers-
ment OF detracting from his business activity
1t adds to its force and to his intellectual activity It
makes him as quick talker he is a thinker; and he
not on argues at lightning speed but reaches
illusions by the shortest logical cut-across-lots and
IN business matters he decides without hesitation He
constant worker, never finishing one play without
having made notes and suggestions for anoher and
his company could he made OF the same cast-iron stun
as himself the members would probably haveto submit
to "oall for rehearsal of piece the day after
the first night of another In conversation Mr. DAILY has
the air OF constantly trying to tear himself away
from his nearer and determined TO accomplish his
purpose the close Of the very next sentence But he
holds by imaginary button to his listener never
allowing him get In word except as eaculatory or
ntcrrogaory and when at last lie is through he cuts
of the imaginary button with jerk and escapes He has
remarkably quick eye and for things awry detect
ing the slightest In pronunciation, or defect In
enuncaton violation Of the precise IN posing on his
stage; and he alike to stage hands behind
ushers in front who misset misseat auditor
A MANAGERS HOBBY AND THEORY
"A perfect stock company" has always been Mr.
Days hobby and It's formation his AIM He rode It re-
orseessy in the days OF his old Fifth Avenue Theatre
in Twenty fourthst OF which he was the founder. and
In which he discovered and developed and raised to
meroI olitan fame, which has in some instances since
become universal. Clara Morris. Agnes Ethel, Fanny
Davenport Linda Dietz Kate Sara Jewett Emily
Rgl, Bijou Heron, James Lewis. George Clarke. Henry
Crisp Louis James. and Others. He also brought Bron
son Howard forward dramntst at this old house.
Fire first and financial troubles common 10 oil In the
period from 1878 1876 brought disaster Days first
attempt But five yearsipast in what may be
called his second career he has been laborng against
wind and tide in forming another such company as he
could call q perfect stock-company"
He began this effort at bad time and in bad loca-
ton He not only had TO rebuild the house he selected
the local habaton OF his new company but he had
to redeem its name from the bad repu.e into which
managers had permitted IL To fall The time was
unpropitous In that the combination system at
Its height of temporary popularity There public
craze for melodrama ana consequent indifference 10
the comedy OF real life Tho principal stars had fallen
in with the ruling passion and had formed companies
on the combination system that they had no use Tor
at any point Moreover the combina-
lions and the stars oD had Increased In numbers and
these had absorbed In their ranks 81 the best stock
players that good material content TO do stock work
was uncommonly scarce. Other managers before
him In getting the pick OF the best English mportaons
among the profession and In the rurchase OF the rights
to English and French plays Mr. DAILY had 10 draw for
his supply OF foreign plays the German school, and 10
resort to his powers adapter AS for actors
he compelled TO train them. with few notable ex-
ceptons from comparatively material And It had
also to he OF native material. OF which according 10
popular delusion there alarming deficiency. But
Mr. DAILY has from time TO time found rich speci-
mems In this material. lie Is great snapper up OF
tribes" in other companies; and by de-
grees he has brought from all points and may be
added largely from chaos, what is generally
ceded TO be strong and harmonious comedy company
FAILURES AND HITS OF LAST SEASON.
It Is Mr.. Days theory that no individual mem-
Der of his company should be starred" hut that
the company as whole should be the attraction 20
audience He recognizes that he has In this involved
himself In the double duty OF forming highly trained
company and OF educating audiences TO appreciate
uniform and harmonious performance.
which minor parts played with skill little inferior
10 that OF the most prominent To this task he
has second time devoted himself and for the last
our years-or since he rehabiltated the old Broadway
Theatre. On his ultimate success now seemingly se-
cured Win the Close OF hchrOh,
him in the presence OF TRIBusE re-
porter His congratulations were however. unfortu-
Day had had some deyiiisi hard luck at the begin
ming OF the season." This seemed to rrritate Mr. DAILY
Not a bit OF IT," he said. catching a firm hold |
,n imaginary button and talking straight ahead.
fact did expect Some previous were bad but
THE past one has been uniformly good had 10 redeem
money the first season little more than had calci-
ated on though the Royal MILDLY and the Arabian
made nothing, though Needles and Pins and Gin |
ierea ., School were gOes' The third season haa
have had only one positive failure and that lasted only
four nights That was Serge Famine in which admit |
money for the theatre in every other piece prod1ced
snIarng OF his optics the part OF Misunderstanding
ring friend II put Che Wond and She woul Int
On performances only and played 1t to paying houses
fot three weekshe longest tever had since written
IT'S years ago. IL was such financial successths re-
make revival OF two three OF the famous but
unfamiliar Of the old dramas Texture OF each season.
The three weeks except for previous announcements
Then The Squire paid handsomely so did Our Enghsh
ha We had since Divorce could have been doing It
I'm but for made before Its production to
HOUSES THAT LOOK DECEPTIVE
Judged largely OF your business by my frequent OBJ
servation Of what thought small audiences" said bis
friend.
"Nothug Is more deceptive, said Mr. Daily than the
looks OF house. No who has not insight from
actual experience OF the deadhead system In vogue In
Sew-York City. and I'm fact all the country can
any idea OF the actual money value OF house by
looking atit You frequently at my theatre what
were apparently small houses. while at neghboring
houses there were also apparently, very big houses
But IL often happened that there money In
Days than at any OF Its neghbors Ny houses were
genuine deadheads' 10 speak OF; no bill board
seat os s% d no d am amy
dollar to me. five hundred people scattered about
ing but they represent nearly 800 In the treasury and
times nearly 800 means nearly n not quite $1,000
week. which leaves the who has no star or
share with very handsome profit on
weeks business In spite Of the costncss OF high sal
AIRED stock company such us mine"
RUINoUs SYSTEM
"what Is the extent of the deadheading now sys
tematized Z" tho friend asked.
I" IL determined when opened the new theatre"