The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1885-02-18
THE THEATRES.
Mr.. FIorence's OpinIon of the Pro.
Willing Times,

Mr.. FIOreuco's Opinion of the Pro-
Willing Times.
A New YORK Sun reporter, meeting Mr.. W. J.
Florence recently, hurled this question at him;
GLOW is theatrical business throughout the
country"
Mr.. Florence smoothed his siIken locks over
his bald spot, looked the reporter unfiinch-
inely in the eyeglasses, and responded
n as oob wtsn
and others whom modesty forbids me 20 name.
1t is the rngtag and bobtail OF the profession
that has got into trouble. Tho thousand and
people. They are tired OF Planet Company,
No. IL Six Nights IN q Balloon, No. ~
'House on Fire, NO. o. Such companies were
not more than one.third as many this year as
there were last year. They descended on
small towns in flocks, and gave performances
every night. There wasn't more tllau enough
spare money In the towns to pay for one or
two ntghte' amusement, 80 they all got stuck.
The managers OF halls have found thls our,
and now many OF them only allow one or two
performances week, and that allows the
playing company to get away with little
profit.
"Few OF the travelling companies were good,
some were Indifferent, and q great many were
como home. Tho others will be home later.
business in the South has not boon good since
the war. In old times It was very good. Stlll
/ do not know very much about 1t, as have
been south OF Richmond only once since tho
war. The business for standard companies In
the large cities has been fair, except In tho
lake cities. Irving has done very well. hear
that lecturers are complaining a great deal.
That, is natural. Many people who think It
wicked to attend q theatre go to lectures, and
this 10 just the class which the skating Kinks
attract the most strongly"
"what do You think OF stock companies In
New York;"
"I think well OF the existing stock compa-
niles. Those at Days, Wallack's aud tho Union
Square Theatre are very good. Tlfey are good
dramatic schools. / wish we had more OF
them. They furnish the only place where the
rudimentary elements OF theatrical art can DO
learned. without such a school We could never
have had Clara Morris, Booth or q Barrett.
with the single exception OF Mary Anderson
no great actor has been produced except by
long and active experience. Her success was
due to her grand natural advantages. AS she
is ready aud quick to learn ehe has improved
greatly since she hrst started out"
"Rhnt doyouthink ofthe influence OF Henry
irving on the American stage"
,tlt Will have grand effect. He Will long
DO remembered for his culture, his accum en-
and wonderful industry 1 want 10 give him
anotnor. He has had most extensive OK
perience, having begun at the lowest round
OF the dramatic ladder Many years ago when
in England Mrs. Florence and myself played
with Mr.. Irving in roustabout plays. l re-
member in the play OF "Dombey Son" no
was cast for the part OF Dolhbey. was struck
with tho careful way IN which he rehearsed
his part. And at night his get-up was so good
and his characterization so perfect that 1t
seemed as II old DombeY himself had walked
out on tho stage. Mr.. irving, when he was
young, gave the same attention to detail that
he shows to-day. There Is not an actor In tho
United States who could not study him with
advantage. He is equally good In tragedy aud
comedy, and Is my ideal OF what an actor
details or costume, and the unetudied group
ings In ME performances are wonder"