The Evening critic., 1885-04-24
AN AorREas, oplMIoN.
Rose EytIBge ON Combinations and
Grhdlaa

Rose EytlBge ON Combinations and
Critics.
"Evorybody travels nowadays. The com.
binatlon syetem compeis us 10, hut II has al
most ruined the profession. II has drawn on
the stage o vast army OF incompetent persons,
with no artistic ability. We are now nomadlcs,
wandering about the country with no place TO
rect People with one idea, and no knowledge
how to present that idea acceptably, have
ueurped the place OF intelligent actors and
actresses, and oil come under the same head
now. We are eimply "a show The combina-
tion system ie to blame for 1t all. Companies
have TO be made up OF anybody and overy-
body; ty, roo,,r o,or,. no,.on u,.,o. .no
cees In one part he or she wants to star. and
90 new lot OF incompetents are employed to
make up another combination, q speculator In
theatrical enterprises backs II and It goes on
the road. The one.part actor is q result OF
this state OF affairs. Often you SEQ some one
make n success In certain line. He brings
In every mannerism, gesture, or idea that he
possesses to mako up the character he pre-.
sonts, and knows nothing else. When a new
part is attempted all the old tricks are repro
duce0, and 30 they continue to appear to the
"This makes It dlnicult to secure good actors
for general work. Those who can possibly do
30, become stars, pandering - their own and
few others vanity, and surround themselves
with inexperienced recruite, in order that they
may not be overehadowed by superior intelli-
gence or artistic work. l fear there is little
hope OF a change soon. The guerilla manager
will oppose change. He finds tho public
too ready. TO patronlze him. They want
variety and he gives II to them. resident
theatrical manager is now merely janitor.
He provides stage and lights, and often moth
Ing else, and takes stated sum for ront.
"He has no interest, as In former years, In
tho proper artistic production OF play. Docs
1t take with the public is oil he asks. Tne
spirit OF cooperation with the actora to pre-
sent q perfect performance is gone, aud only a
return 10 the stock system Will induce him to
return TO HIS lost art. believe the press has
n task full OF magnificent possibilities before
It In correcting the base uses to which the
combination system has reduced the stage.
The critic will condemn piece as trash 10 one
paragraph, but qualify his denunciatlon in
| the next by saying It is amusing. This ls all
| that is wanted to draw crowds. People no
longer go to the theatre TO cry over some pa
| thetic ecene, or 20 learn some lesson OF life.
Their own lives arc cast In O sad struggle for
| existence. The earning OF their daily bread Is
too serious matter 10 make a fictitious repre-.
septotlon enjoyable, so they go to the theatre
| 10 laugh, aud don't blame them,"
SHAVE you anything new In preparatory"
sSe bs nsW PSy ready eq
| its title, and II may be classed as modern
| society comedy'drama. II is In four acts, aud
while the plot is not intricate Il is full OF In.
terest and has many new and original ideas
| capltally worked out. No, can't give you
tho plot yet. You may say, however, that
| Aunt Emily is not an old maid, but lady
| who can be made to look young and pretty and
| wear handsome dresses. She is Southern
| born, but the action takes place In New York.
|
| satisfactory that am very anxious to bring
| II out. 1t Will require very strong company.
| II was written by Alfred Trumbull, a New
| York journalist, In conjunction with Cyril
searle. 1t Will pe my piece dc resistance next
| season."
"will 1t not be new experience for you to
| play comedy?'
Mot at ali. Lester wallack said high COM
| edy was my forte. / have played serious parts
| so much OF late years that want change to
| something lighter. md my nature takes on
| n colorlng from the parts play. That ia why
| dropped Miss Mutton from my repertory.
| 1t made me a sad, fearful woman, Therel 1
| have been talking about myself Let us drop
| ehop.talk and try something else."
"What ia your experience OF the dramatic
critic, Of whose powers you hold so high an
| opinion"
"Most fortunate I do not really remember an
| unfavorable criticism in the whole OF my ca
reer. am filled with gratitude toward them.
That is something to say, ia 1t notP Speaking OF
| critics, wonder why It is that the press and
the stage seem to be so closely allied; they
are almost twins in their relationship to each
other. think, though am afraid my ex
PLANTATION is not quite true, that both profes
sions hold themselves somewhat aloof from
the common world, and work and move and
have their being In a sort OF bohemian atmos
| phere, peopled with peculiar mortals who are
| law unto themselves, and ask no mans for
bearance or charity."-[ohicago Nows.