National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-12-27
DRAMATIC FEuILLE ron.

stage, cnCn III It's line ol cOusluerhDle lhcIt, |
and each interpreted by a good company of
actors, failed to draw more than fair-sized
houses. At Ford's troupe of artists far above
the usual average Of those engaged in render
ing light opera shared similar fatc although
they appeared in works Of which II was
thought the public could never tire. This was
especially dlscouaging to the managers, as
they had made preparations for aud confidently
expected heavy Christmas patronage, and APP
pearcd puzzled to understand why II did not
come. The explanation is not far to seek In the
first place, there is the general disposition among
all but the very wealthy class to lay by few
dollars against the rainy day which they feel
must attend so great a change in the political
weather as that indicated for the 4th Of March;
secondly, there are three theaters In Washing
ton this season, as against two n year ago; and
thirdly, the good slclghing on Christmas
day beguiled many away from the theatcrs,
which are always with us, to the Joys Of the
snow, which are cvanescent ny the dows OF the
morning or the smiles OF politician.
Re
That rare international combination OF Irish
blarncy, English slang, and American check,
Mr.. James W. Morrssoy, has entered upon his
career a. manager OF the radiant and rident'
trhackoray) Rhea. To Jimmie the Amer
lean public owes much Of the joys and sorrows
Of Emma Abbotrs career and all OF her his
toric kiss, and he now signalizes his assump-
ton Of the management OF Mile. Rhea by the
announcement that Howard Carroll, the con-
tcmporaneous biographcr Of the New York
Times has been paid 5000 in cold cash for
writing an American play for the engaging
Belgian actress. The drama is entitled "The
American Countess" the story Of a wealthy
IL ,i,N al apI an,
n morally, physically, aud financially worth
less foreigner, who speedily dissipates her for.
tune and would remark, en- PEASANT, that If
Mile. Rhea has allowed her new manager to
pay the price above named for play which
has never been tried even on dog,
she will soon be able to concoct similar
veracious history from her own experience
But Mile. Rhea has done nothing Of the kind;
nor, unless I greatly overrate his business
sense, would Jimmie Morrissey advise or
allow her to dose. "The American Countess"
we are told, has selected Washington M n
very kindly and well-bred dog TO try herself
on, and means to perform the operation about
midway in January. We are of course flat
tered bythe intended compliment but would
as a friend advise the Countess that this dog
has had his temper sorely tried by number of
these tryings-on In recent years and his good
nature is liable to run out at any moment.
Care cdnen, Mademoiselle.
A propos of Mile. Rhca, her change OF man
agement caused general surprise among those
who knew the friendly relations which ex-
listed between her and Mr.. Arthur Chase, who
has managed her affairs from the time Harry
Sargent gave her up until few weeks ago.
There was an impression that Mr.. Chase
Nvntt1H N lfGn porfnnrghin tvitlo Rhpn and
to the gentlemans untiring and intelligent
efforts the Belgian actress PROFESSIONALLY
owes much Of her success in this country.
a"s
Those who had tears to shed over theatrical
disaster shed them early in the week. at the
collapse of Fred Warde's company. The under
signed had none-cryO, not one shed he. Fred
Warde is a good fellow, good but not great
actor, and by the time he has met half dozen
more disasters of this kind 1t may perhaps
| begin to commence to dawn on him that the
public is not lying awake nights to see him
in the scant toggery of Virginius or in Rich.
ards changing coat of mail. Bitter experience
alone will teach a certain class of actors that
greatness cannot be theirs by any one of
Malvolio's three famed alternatives Society,
emotional, domestic, spectacular, nelo-drama;
farce, comedy, burlesque, light opera, grand
opera, discerning people will tolerate indiaer-
emily well done; but tragedy never. To be
an enduring success, the tragcdlan must
he distinctly above the line OF mcdiocrity.
Many would.be tragedians, whose talents and
requirements do not bring them within sight
OF that line, have for season or two somehow
drawn paying houses; but such pretenders do
not command the respect accorded thor.
oughly competent stock actor in a minor part,
I'm nh
security from which they forced themselves.
The regular demand for tragedy In this coun-
try can be abundantly met by two or, at the
outside, three tragedians. After Mccullough
deplorable departure, Booth and Barrett still
remain to tho national stage, while Tom
Kecne will continue to devastate the scenery
in the west where not long since i saw his
name sandwiched in between Salyinis and
Booths by discerning critic.
a"s
Evidences daily accumulate of the seriou!
effect on theatrical business which the grea
depression in trade throughout the country 4
having Managers generally are following
the recent initiative of the Madison Square IL
reducing salaries, and now comes the an
nouncement that the old firm of Brooks
Dickson is about to dissolve because of bat
business and MISUNDERSTANDING between thu
members. If substantial profits were accruinl
from the firms business there would be N
heartburnings and differences Of opinion
about the merits of the methods by whicl
such results were reached but being other
wise, 1t is otherwise. Theatrical like ever
other kind of speculation has been overdone
We have had SO many stars that our theate
became sort of living illustration Of tn
chi!d's dream of Utopia whore everyone wa
Il millionaire; no one would do the blowing
and sowing and reaping, and as consequence
they all starved to death in state of tran
scendent splcndor. We must have slcknes
almost unto death, then the theater Will, lie
us hope, regain its health and live on NOR
wholesome diet.
~
ofhis new play, Tally 10" which Joaquin
Miller has written for Mr.. Robert l.. Dowr
+ ing, of this city, the author says: ~ wrot
this for Mr.. Downing because believe wit
| Joseph Jefferson not only that he is a grei
actor, but because he is peculiarly fitted
: present the old hero of the sierras as we kne'
him years ago. As for the merits of the pla
l certainly think 1t better than The DANTE
I or 'Forty-Nine,' for 1t is not SO loud an
5 sensational. aud Ia more true and real"
: himself Mr.. Miller says at has long bee
I the fashion to call my work the sudden In
I pulse OF an eccentric genius, either very goo
d or desperately bad. My fellow toiers with tn
0 pen, believe with rare old Michael Ange
that genius lis simply eternal patience, an
beg of you to look at my work US the resu
h OF hard, patient, and constant endeavor
T. This is all very nice aud confidential, and on
@ cannot fail to admire the Christian spirit
j. forgiveness with which Mr.. Miller treats b
., detractors. Those who have been calling hi
h genius should be ashamed Of themselvt
& However, to return to our mutton, Italy liz
d is said by competent judges to be a stron
L. well-constructed and well'wrltten play, al
% Bob Downing telegraphs that 1t made gre
n hit when first produced at Orange, N. j.,
IS Christmas night. Bob Downing was ono
the best equipped young persons who CIV