New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-08
THE PLAY-PRODUCBR.


THE MAN WHO PLANS BUSINESS
The great and rapidly Increasing number OF new
plays annually brought ont In this city has cd 10
the foundation of an entirely novel branch Of the
dramatic profession the person Of the playproducer
Many theatre cOers who, during the season Just
closed. attended first nights or special matinee per-
formances VIII remember TO have seen on the pro-
granmes a line stating. "Thls play produced under
the direction OF Mr. There are at present not
more than staGcmanagers in this city who devote
themselves entirely to experimenting the bringing
out OF new plays, and one OF Their has done the
larger part Of the business. They not attached
TO tho staff OF any particular theatre, but are at the
disposal of any manager author who may need their
services.
The play producer is much than an ordinary
stag-managcr He stands for the time as the auhor UT
at least a. expounder Of his IDEAS for as rule inc
young dramafist is not actor and while ne may
know the results he desires ignorant OF the processes
by which they must be obtained. Many managers
are unable through the pressure of other business,
TO give their plays or trial Productions all inc
time necessary for proper superintendent, ana arc
therefore, glad TO avail themselves OF the services OF
the producer. More especially is this the case Win
spectacular plays which require long time In prepara
ton, and in which there is nnnltude OF Work IN
drilling each department separately and finally getting
them into harmonious whole.
The manuscript Of play IS given 10 the
producer many weeks in advance OF the date hAeu
for its first presentation He proceeds TO READ IL over
and over again till, with the assistance and explanation
of the author he becomes thoroughly imbued with the
spirit, feeling and puIport of the play During thls
assmilating process he may see chances OF improve
ment in the way OF condemnation, elaboration or
alteration and his suggestions in these directions a'e
often OF considerable value. When the producer Is
thoroughly familiar with the play he begins 10 plan
the business or movements and actions OF all inc
characters This he proceeds to mark on his liVnp.
COPY, and though In rehearsals some nOdhc@'loh Vi
his preconceved ideas may be found necessary, the
business will usually stand pretty nearly as al hisI
arranged This branch of stage art IS OF the utmost
importance, as many plays Of no very striking merit
arc frequently rendered attractive by novel and
ingenious bits of business which at once strike the
spectator as natural and unconventional NO modern
manager has more facile and happy Invention In thls
direction than Augustin DAILY. The scene Win inc
door in the Railroad Of Love- Is instance which
will be fresh in many memories, and this was the
feature in the piece Which commanded most attention
at its recent performances In London
Having thoroughly graspcd the scope Of the action
and the nature Of the characters who are 20 exhibit
f. the producer. IN consultation with the author
or manager who for the time his employer proceeds
10 engage the cast. In the plays OF to-day, illness
Of appearance and natural temperament Is more
easily obtainable than considerable experience ana
trained ability and therefore, a great deal OF judg-
old days when and actresses could play any
thing they were engaged on the merit OF Their
reputation, and their appearance was not much con
sdercd The progress Of realism has brought about
a demand that actors should look their part Like
all reforms and lnnova tions this has not been an
unmixed blessing We often, nowadays get the
looks without the ability to act. Where the two
qualifications are happily united then eyes, ears and
Intellect alike pleased.
At the time while he Is planning his business the
play producer also makes out his plots, Or directions
for painters carpenters, property men, gas and
calcium men. II the new piece Is 10 be heavy
one with many new and elaborate scenes, his con-
fcrcnces with the scene painter and carpenter VIII
be frequent and long. Plans have TO be- drawn and
models made and painted. and then accepted. modi-
fed or rejected the case may be- Where pieces
are only going be tried for one performance scenery
IS seldom especially painted, and the taste and IN
genuity Of the producer and the carpenter arc taxed
I'm setting and combining Old scenes so as to give
them a newer any rate less familiar, appearance.
In spectacular plays. costumers, armor makers wig
makers and all the host of tradesmen used have to
be seen and constantly overlooked.
The rehearsals once begun the play producer knows
little rest till after the first presentation. on that
sion he runs the stagcr-sees that II Is properly
set that the people have all their properties, and
attends TO the ringing up and down oil the curtain.
After the first performance his laboS generally enn,
Though II alterations cuts found necessary, he
attends 10 those the following day The layprodnceTs
duties are arduous and responsible, and constant &C.
cisfances II IS only reasonable that his remuneration
when employed should be liberal. lie rarely ges
much credit from the public and Only rev OF the
difcu:es Of stage pieuaration. think IL necessary 10
give him a word of commentator