The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-05-22
THEATRICAL TALK.
AZ INTELLIeENY AoEoRs vIEws
OF Stage and It's Ipausnus-Ths Failure
Of the Drama in Amsrisa-Fhs Large
Crop Of Bad Glasses OF stage Litora-
turs DOSmsd-stEOug ASlOdramR.

Mr.. Newton Beers, the star Of the "only
a Woman's Heart combination, who has
spent the present week in the city, is one
Of the keenest and most intelligent obsery-
era among all the stage people who have
visited this city, An ISTELIIsRScRR re-
porter had an interesting conversation
with him last night on the present con-
dition and future prospects Of the stage.
Speaking Of the p~roneness on the part Of
The public to estimate an actor by what
is seen Of him before the ioOtlights, Mr.,
Beers said:
Before the footlights one Is often spell
bound by an actors mock passion, or the
splender OF scenic pictures and the realism
Of mimic life. Behind the scenes, how
dilIsrentl For instance: The curtain has
Just fallen upon the villain, who has msr-
cilessly hunted down tho Hero for three
hours, TlGin-With my dying breath
| curse you'll ah-ugh, u.g.hl tGreat gasp,
and villain dies hard at eleven; curtain
lAlla.1
Behind the scenes: Hero TO same relent-
less villain who made you think he was
dying Just as the curtain FELL Say, Gully,
got an extra collar buttonH Some guy has
Taxed mine.
Wlain-That's an old gag, but here you
are. Don't be too proud to return it.
Again beioret the scenes;
Kng-DoWn, slave, and kiss the earth
we tread uponI
&aUe-Mercy, sire, mercy
Behind the scenes:
&qve-Here, you royal dummy with the
dizzy tin fakeonl intuition my shoes, will
you2 | can't stoop for this pad.
King-Why,C cert, brother.
Before the scenes:
Bursted manager, who enaCts the role
Of Spanish Cr@sus-Adophina take this
casket OF precious gems. Thus do | endow
thee Witha queenly dover. And you,s sir, &C.
Cept with my good will this pocket; in II
you will find 5000. Ityou require more,
send to my steward.
Behind the scenes;
Bursted manager, to impeCulious actor
who has struck him for the price OF q pair
VI 9Lopn- AlNu 4uu hluuG1 AuI uHVe5 1 w
must be crazy, HucklebsrrieS are ripe
II | did you might walk home and leave
me. Here's q dollar can't give you any
more this week, 80 make 1t 90 as far Ga
you an.
"Ah, yes" continued Mr.. BOors; show
different 1t Is before and behind the
scenesl Yet, the stage Yields an immense
power over their iron will and pulssant arm
Of the public. Players and plays have
caused the public 10 run amGCk Of each
other like maddened bulls In o Spanish
arena. During the days Of Charles, the
merry monarch, plays and players almost
entirely moulded public opinion. When
Cromwell succeeded TO the throne, the
pulpit alone held sway. To-day It IL
not the pulpit nor tho player, but the
press, and our sensational journals will
have TO answer for the seeds Of crime and
vice they are daily sowing in the minds Of
the present generation. They are feeding
a depressed appetite and their teachings
are q curse.
"Good plays still live. l am one who
have courage enough to give the lie to
those managers who cater to the writers
Of the nasty French school and say that
the American people no longer exhibit
any appetite for dramatic works Of the
better kind. Tho best newspapers bear
me out in this statement. The naked
play, the adultrous play, the idiotic play,
must go. To span Niagara with q bridge,
q kite was flown across, after 1t q cord,
then a rope, then o cable. The cable was
a part Of the bridge. My production oil
Watts Philips magnificent mOlodrama,
Lost in London" full Of the most In
tense human interest and clean jolly
humor, with Its wonderful sCenic effects,
(which made the play so great a success
at its original production at the
Adelphi, London, 10 a step towards the
day of q better class oil playa in our
theatres"
"Hayo you no doubts as to the success
Of your undertaking." the reporter asked.
"None whatever. Why should II My
manager intends to spare neither money
nor pains to make it a success. In four
weeks, at the termination Of my present
stellar tour, l sail for England, l shall
spend a full month among the Lancashire
miners and study my character from life.
We will carry a large company oil actors
and singers, all new scenery, and present
a magnificent spectacular play superbly.
My time Is alreSdy we'll booked with man.
ayers Of the best theatres In the country.
No; l have no doubt OF is being q great
success"
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