The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-03-25

s0KS>e~- 'saa'AA- fnry doG in
with its plays entirely, or nearly So at the
hands of American drama ists. ! think that
to-day more hoUeful view of the subject
may be taken than during any time within
the history of the republic and that the time
is not so very far distant when we may hold
our own as proudly among the nations of
the old world as regards our school of dra
matte writing as we do to-day regarding our
native school of fiction.
1t is little more than a century ago
since what is probably the first performance
of play by an American author took
place in the country. This was 1.-The Con-
trast." by Royal Tyler, which was pro-
duced at the old John street theater in New
York city, April 10th, 1856, by Hallam and
Henry. Hallam l need hardly say, was
one of the first of Anne rican actor mana
gers and score of years later was able to
attend performance al what was then
called the new theater, but which is perhaps
better known to us as the old Park theater
and is place Of fond recollecticns TO many
who are yet in the flesh. Tyler's play was
mere iocal sketch which concerned itself
with visit to the city of country bump
kin, the undoubted ancestor of many a
yankee dialect part" not excepting that
portrayed to-day with SO much success by
Mr.. Denma1 Thompson. ROYAL Tyler l
may say, was encouraged by the success of
his first piece to write another which the
pu lie seemed 10 fud equally amusing and
which, under the title Of MAY Day." held
the stage for a comparatively long season
aud was, with its predecessor, subsequently
published in book form. The budding
author, however, pursued his dramatic
studies no further, but gave his attention
tirely to the practice If law, and perhaps
did not regret the step. for be was as a COM
paratively young man elected Chief Justice
of the State of Vermont and lied in his
SEVENTEEN year highly respected by the
legal profession as the author of many
weighty vol mes of professional lore.
During the first half of the present cent
ury the native production was but limited
and consisted chiefly of epheme:sl pieces
such as concerned themselves chiefly with
local subjects or questions If the hour. The
great Forrest, no ever, made a brave and
determined attempt to foster the growth
OF worthy and legitimate dramatic writing
among American au hors du ing this Pc
riod and it V as in 1929 that lie produced
"Me'amora." one of the first Anne lean
plays that gained national reputation and
has after fashion lasted unto our own dav
Forrest was only % and had not yet q t.
tanned the summit Of his fame when be ap-
peared in this distinctively American piece
which was written for him by John A,
one. 1t added much to his reputation
and for nearly tortv years or so it remained
III his repertory. Two years later he pro-
duced "Ihe Gladiator" written for him bv
DR.. Robert NJ B I'd of Philadelphia, and
later still "Aylmere," by Judge Robert T.
Conrad. also of PHILADELPHIA, in which. rs
Jack Ca &c, he was entirely srIcc assful
These three pieces formed a considerable
part, aside from ShakeSpeareap characters,
of his repertory, and they are b. no means
unknown eve to play-goers of this genera
tion. 1t must be admitted, howeve that
their popularity, such as it was. subsequent
to Forests disease, owed not a little to the
glamour thrown around the leading parts
by the great actor.
The celebrated competition instituted by
Forrest will be remembered. He offered a
prize of 81 900 for the best American play.
the award to be made by competent judges.
George FL. Boxers tragedy, "Calynos,"
was adjudged worthy Of the prize by the
committee, but Forrest, for one reason or
another, never saw fit to put it upon the
stage. Mr.. Boxer, luckily, think, for the
native drama, did not stop here, however.
but gave to the world in succession such
poetic as well AZ inherently dramatic works
as 'Anno Boleyn" and "Guyma )" while
later on he gave us Francesca di Rinini'
which had the honor myself to put upon
the stage with as worthy setting as could
enco npass.
This affords me an opportunity, in taking
advantage of which / trust shall not be
deemed egotistical, of relating my own ex-
periences with American dramatists l
may frankly say at the outset that they
have been, as far as | am personally con-
cerned, entirely and absolutely satisfactory
Very early In ny stage career / came to
the conclusion that, as was justly proud
of being an American, and believed very
fhOrO,tohIv In the off riA of A
actors, il the opportunity should ever be
given me, should do my best to believe
equally in the capacity OF American dram
artists. Thus l have always lent a ready
ear to those II my own countrymen who
have brought their works to me for my
perusal. Thus it has happened that many
of my most popular productions have been
mention "Yorick's Love" by w. d. How.
ellis, beside Mr. Boxers Francesca di Rim
j." to which [ have just referred, and
"Pendragon," by William Young.
Surely am not exceptio nal in my expert
ence, and IL in my poor way have gained
credit and incidentally some pecuniary ie-
ward by turning first for material to my
own fellow citizens before going out 10
the highways a byways of Europe. others
may do 50, as, indeed, others have done,
likewise. 1t must be borne in mind, how
ever, though / say IL in no spirit Of self
glorihcation, that |, as manager a well as
actor have done all that lay in my power
to worthily present these plays. have
spared nothing, in scenery or costume, and
have brought TO my AID all the sister arts as
attendants on my own. In short |, as a
tragedian, have actually taken as much
trouble to mount poetical drama as if
had been manager who was putting forth
one Of these peculiarly hybrid productions
known as spectacular burlesques. In doing
this, however, have always borne in mind
the importance of subordinating the spec
tacular element 10 the text.
Yes, believe in the American dramatist,
and hope to show next season how firmly
rooted is my faith by producing a new play
by Mr.. Young, entitled "Ganelon," and
shall spare no expense TO give 1T a suitable
setting, for believe this TO be the truest
managerial policy. So far l have spoken
only of those dramatists with whom / have
been more Immediately brought into con-
tact. but by no means wish TO imply that
these comprise the roll Of American play
wrights. do not for instance envy the
man who could attend performance OF
one Of Bronson Towards charming come
dies without being forced to admit that