Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-07
The Pictures VS.. the Plays.


Patrons of the drama are losing conf.
dence in the announcements of the mana
gers OF theatrical troupes. The enjoyment
which theatre-goers are led to anticipate
from the bright-colored representations
that cover the huge bill boards are not
always realized, There is dsappoint-
ment, of course, and the theatre business
is damaged, because the public is never
certain when there is something really
good to be expected. All plays and com
panies are advertised so extraVagantly
that it is impossible to give first-class
entertainments any advantage In the way
of billboard advertising. Even the press.
in its advance notices, is apt to show too
little discrimination.
Indeed there is no way of knowing
whether a performance will be meritor-
ious or not before it is seen. Dependence
must be placed upon theatrical agents
who try to do the best they can for the COM
pany they represent. 1t is evident that it
would be to the interest of theatre pro-
prietors to have as nearly as possible
true statement of the points of the play
presented in advance. 1t is evident.
however, that it would not always
DO an easy matter to pre-
sent such statement, because
what one would regard as good another
might consider very poor. There ought to
be some wav, however, of making tie
public understand when a really good
performance may be expected.
During the last few years playwrights
have turned their attention largely to the
production Of comedies that are not far re-
moved from farces, and they appear to
have been more successful in finding SEN
sational titles for their plays than In
producing something of real merit.
OF course, some OF the plays are all they
are represented to be, but a majority OF
them are the worst sort of trash, the best
part of them, like the performance an
nounced by circuses, being the work OF
he printers artists on the mammoth col
ored posters.
The American stage is capable of better
things. There are plenty OF actors Of abil
ity. Indeed, there are so many good
actors that the 'stars," who were
at one time necessary TO Sc
cure a good house, are seen very
rarely during a theatrical season
A great many Of the companies that are
now seen in the larger towns have several
members who do very creditable, and
even brilliant work. In the Olden time
the male or female "star' was the attrae.
tion. The remainder OF the character
were presented by very inferior actors,
and the audience was satisfied. There is
now a different state OF affairs. The pat
rons of the drama expect and demand
that each actor shall be an artist. The
fault, therefore, is not so much with the
actors as with the managers, who, in
their desire to give the public something
new, are not particular as TO what 1t is.
so long as It is sensational and seems
TO promise to be popular. They expect
the sensational character of the play and
the flaming posters TO bring the audi.
ences, and depend upon the actors TO pre-
vent the audiences from being dlsap-
pointed. or course they are very often
mistaken. The best OF actors can do
very little with poor play.
wish the exception OF a few
| plays, little has been presented late
| y that was worthy OF more than
passing notice. A return TO the stand.
ard dramas, with the advantages now
possible in the way OF good actors and
appropriate scenery would be doubtless
appreciated by the public and put money
IN the pockets Of managers. IL might ais
he beneficial 10 all concerned II some OF
those who are engineering companies
through the country should return D.
their original callings, whatever they
may be, and leave the theatrical business
70 those who have some knowledge OF IL.
The Genesta, the English yacht which
undertook 10 win the Queens cup from
this country and failed, being beaten b,
the Puritan, won, 10 will be remembered
two other cups "a races with American
/ yachts. On her arrival IN England her
owner was compelled 70 pay $500 duty on
the two cups before he could take them
ashore. The season Of 1855 wasn't lucky
! season FOR the Genesta.