New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-25
TRYING 4 PLAY.
WHAT \ MATINEE COSTS.
in France.

tent adopted here. At the close of the last threc
regular seasons several plays have been given trai
performances in New York. and this year the number
has been unusually large. 1t extremely question
able, however. whether with rs these trial per
ormanccs really repay the anxiety. trouble and great
expense involved. In London il is understood that
"A manager who thinks well Of the chances OIL
play will give il matinee performance
with his regular company for $jOO-hc having the
first call on the piece should 1t meet his expectations
80 well established has the matinee trial become IN
London that tho critics. managers and spectators III
plays for this country regularly attend all such per
formances These command just as much attention
g. first night" and the critics treat cNmuStlvey
OF their merits and defects play that successfully
passes this test Is therefore firmly established ana Is
at once a marketable commodity. When it is placed
the regular evening bill it has not again TO run
the gauntlet OF criticism.
In York these matters arc less satisfactorily and
fairly conducted. our managers are a rule dccuouN
avcrso 20 trying plays with their own companies
They also unwilling to be guidcd 10 any extent
by the verdict Of a matinee audience, when 'irN
know composed exclusively Of friends of the
author and the players. our critics do not generally
give any amount OF space TO such performances
Sometimes they dcpHto their duties 10 subordlha~''
and should, in one or two instances has been the
case the play be- given as a regular BILL it has then
been subjected - much careful and severe crlt
ClSm. \. VI. Palmer IL the one manager VINO m"
shown desire 10 Try plays with his regular company
His series Of Authors Natnccs7 will be remembered
by all who take interest in dramatic art lie ala
not make any charge 10 the author. though he OF
course stipulated TO have the rights for the piece
should he desire them. But. although a fair numb'r
Of plays were tried the writer at present recall
only two which attained sufficient success to be
thought worthy Of regular presentation These were
Elaine" and " Pine Meadows II is the opinion oi
many good judges that the former would have h"'h
FAR success full If II had been first given al night
The elamOr Of first night was taken from H. All"
beautiful was the production and admirabr a.
much Of the dialogue and acting, Elaine 'in
not make marked financial success. Nr. Falnef
has not recently given any Authors Natin'''
Though Pine Meadows was tried at the Madison
square Theatre the actors were not members "i VII
Tamcr's company bat friend, II 'll" author H''
lry Brown, and IL announced that their ScFN''''
we're all volunteered BE- Pine Meadow was boH-"
Dos 81 speculative manager. and acted tbs season
At the Fourteenth street Theatre. under the title \
Long Lane" This record Of the results Of trial
matinccs is not encouraging II should. however h
fairness be said that while our system here is some
what 10 be blamed. The poor quality Of the WORK l. N
f,r tho greater cause of the many failure, The Jew
authors OF established reputation that We possess Won"
rot consent - trial matIn"c- 81 thcir piai 81" ''
material offered /, rule the work Of novl'e' ''
.coord rate writers. in London tho lc>t framatii>
mon Ike Pncro Jones and Grundy. arr always Wiling
TO submit To- the test Of matinee trials.
In the present dcar;h Of good and strong plays IN
France and England Is highly advisable Tor man
a,cr- who would NOT surfcit their audiences WIN
repetition, of almost Identical stories under dIHer'
names - look % native authors f0r novel IDEAS or At
least for something approaching a portrayal q the
society and characters with which $50 ~" familiar.
The paving successes made a' The l'ocum hy The
WIZ and Tho Charity Bal" are n'' Que 10 ans