New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-16
WILLING TO LOSE MONEY IN ORDER TO HELP HIS

WILLING TO LOSE MONEY IN ORDER TO HELP HIS
PRoFEssIoN-DETAILs OF THE SCHEME.
| A.. NJ Palmer was at the Madison Square Theatre
yesterday, and was willing to talk about his scheme
for forming company OF young actors and actresses
L have had this idea for long timc,' he said, but
have only now been able TO get 1t into practical
shape. In getting Dion Boucicaut to take charge OF
It, have, think been particularly ertunate Every
knows and admits his singular ability as stage
manager, and living is better acquainted with
the traditions of the stago-indced he has done no
little in forming those of the last half century 1T
these traditions that are danger Of losing, for
what does the actor actress who spends season
in playing some secondclass melodrama on the road
care about them. did the desire exist, how could
they be acquiredf
81 see some reference has been made TO my project
as school. 1t will not 10 that There will not be
any instruction except spcn is impaired in the con-
slant rehearsing of plays and In their performance
agree with Mr. Boucicaut when he says acting is to
be learned only on the stage. The man who leErns
riding in the school the tanbark circle mayS 6me
fair rider, but he viii have the thorough con-
fldence and control that the man has who as boy
was accustomed 10 ride bareback over the prairie
Such accomplishments as fencing, singing, dancing
etc, which of unquestonable value to the actor
can be learned anywhere, and therefore VIII not be In
cluded in my plan. shall engage full company Of
fifteen young people, pay them small salary, work
them hard and present them at Wednesday matinees
In different plays in rapid succession as possible
Shall you take novices only, or people who have
had some experienced"
Il will take any that Mr.. Bouclcault and
think gives evidence of talent, and who is willing TO
work for $40 week. for that is the amount shall
pay them. At first shall do old comedies. Now
there people and schools of acting protesting
to teach how 10 act. These people do not mean TO
be dishonest and are perhaps not so consciously but
they In the business 10 make money, and 10 do so
they must necessarily encourage vast amount Of
medlocry. / am going to try 1t from the other end.
l prepared TO lose money and expect that II will
cost me seven or eight thousand dollars year. In
return for this have the right to pick the people upon
whom will spend IT, and they will have to possess
decided aptitude for acting before they Will be adj
mitted or they Will be clever enough TO deceive Mr..
Bouccault and me into thinking they have.
While am doing this largely because believe 1t
will be for the good of the dramatic art and profession
/ don't pretend for a moment that am entirely dis
interested. The contracts with the young people Who
may enter will give the first right to their services
should desire them for my regular companies Every
departure meets, Of course, with opposition and
crfticsm and 1 have only this morning received
letter protesting against my introducing more persons
into a profession that is already Overcrowded. 1t is
land 1t is not much wonder that there should DO so
many incompetents, when they have had advan-
ages for intelligent training extended practice.
Mr. Bouccaul in accepting this position practically
retires from acting He will make his home in this
city, and Will devote himself to the new company and
TO literary work We shall probably DO ready 10 begin
Is there any truth in tho report that YOU and
Charles Oyerton are TO erect new theatre In Broad
way?'
Not word am not likely to build theatre.
nor, If should lease another, should be likely 10
have partner"