The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-04
THE INDIANA STATE JOURNAL.
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The Sunday Journal has the largest and
best circulation of any Sunday paper in In
DIANA Price three cents.
DRAMATIC pEoADENCE.

The collapse of Messrs Brooks & Dickson, of
Haverly, and of theatrical managers of less
pretentious claims, is but symptom of wide
spread disease and decay. It is vain to deny
merit, real excellence, is rare indeed while
anything like perfection of organization is out
of the question. The visit of Mr. Irving to
this country last year was little less than
revelation. Say what one will of Mr.. Irving
personally as an actor, whether he be
given place on the same plane
with Booth and Barrett, or above or below
either or both, he compelled the admission
that for artistic finish and attention to detail
his organization was without rival The
unities were preserved, and no clown was
brought into disastrous contact with the King.
The public paid we'll for the entertainment
furnished, and was we'll repaid, in turn, by
dramatic exhibition worth the attendance and
study of our best people. And the fact that
his every appearance was greeted by good
house gave substantial evidence that when
appealed to in worthy way, and when not dis
appointed, the public is ever ready to testify it's
appreciation How many companies that have
appeared on the dramatic stage during the
past ten or twenty years would dare enter
into comparison with Henry Irving's splendid
retinue? Who ever saw Booth, or McCul-
Tough, or Barrett with such support, except,
perhaps, for a brief season in New York?
Irving's was the universe turning about the
central sun of his own genius. The exhibit
tions of the others mentioned presented the
sun, it is true but attended by the most
cratic and ineonsequential side luminsries,
with result unsatisfactory and unworthy the
patronage of the public.
But if such criticisms can fairly be made of
our best artists, what must be said of num-
berless dramatic abortions of the Frank
Frayne, Chanfrau, Bernard McAuley, Mckee
Rankin school, of such productions as
'Romany Rye "Burr Oaks" ''The Silver
King" My Partner" to say nothing of the
Florences, etc., etc. The drama" is rot
ting under the care of those now attempting
to preserve and build it up. 1t is absurd
to use the phrase ''build up" in con-
nection with the modern theater Every
energy-if any energy be about it from begin
ming to end of seasons employed in devising
some new sensation, some stage effect rather
than attaining high standard of dramatic
excellence; and too often in these degenerate
days plays are advertised more for their seen
cry than for all else combined. This cannot
always be maintained. The public is tired of
actresses whose sole merit only too often is
scandal that ought to send them into de-
too, of having to pay one dollar for
twenty-fve-cent exhibition. Actors and
actresses are paid ridiculous salaries, from top
10 bottom. The naughty prima donna de-
.mands So, 600 per night, sings dozen stanzas,
perhaps, and pouts and sulks like spoiled
child if any caprice happens to seize her. I'm
der the unskilled control of those who now
pretend to cater to the demands of the people,
the drama has degenerated until it has come
pass under cloud. The veneered plays of
the day, devoid of solid merit, and
generally based on some dirty scandal or dis
reputable intrigue, are put into unskiled
hands, confded to the interpretation-if in
depreciation be needed for such mental rot
of women with pretty faces and unpretty rep
utations, and the result inevitably is an I'M
doubted burlesque, and theater-going pub
lie thoroughly Disguised.
There are exceptions among players, but
they are exceptions. To where there is one
Mary Anderson there are twenty Alice Oates's
The stage has come to where there must be a
transformation in every particular if it would
regain its hold upon popular esteem. The
woman who would be star should have more
to recommend her than a handsome face and
a reputation that will not bear inspection.
The man who would be dear at $40 week
must not be made fool of by enjoying sal
al, of SO or 800. 1t must be borne in mind
that play worth twenty-five cents may for a
time draw business at 81, but it cannot
be maintained. Let salaries and prices of ad :
mission be cut in two. Actors will not suffer
thereby, but will have greater guaranty of
steady engagements, while the public will be
more apt to fill the now well-nigh empty au-
Sjtoriums There must also be general refor-