The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-08

III don, which centers at
E4 the Saville Club, and
hugs itself in frlgid
exclusiveness, the cords of which tighten
perceptibly at the mention of the name of
any successful playmaker. In the light
OF this attitude of uncompromising
superiority the fact that nearly every
member of the literary set has been him
self, at one time or another, an unsuccess-
ful playmaker bears somewhat ironical
significance. The fascination of writing
for the stage and the fat authors fees de-
rlvable from popular success combine to
influence every man who uses quill to
essay dramatic writing and the little un-
derstood fact that dramatist requires
other qualifications than ready magma
ton and facile pen in order to succeed
at his craft, renders the number of
disappointed aspirants - even among
those who attain a deserved eminence in
other branches of iterature-surprisingl
large. The favorite taunt of the Saville
club set is that not one of the playwriters
could produce novel that would stand
the test of Saville club criticism. The
playwriters can only retort that no men,
Der of the Saville Clique has yet succeeded
in writing play which the public is will
ing to pay its money to see. AS for the
implied challenge, Mr.. Pinero and his
rivals are not in the least likely to accept
1t while play-writing proves as remunera-
tive as it does at present.
PINERo.
OF the men whose plays the British pub
lie has learned to admire, A. w. Pinero
stands an easy first. His long series of
comedies, including such admirable ex-
amples of farce writing as Dandy Dick"
THE Schoolmistress" and 1.-The Magis-
trate," originally won him reputation
and fortune which any man might have
envied. But Mr.. Pinero was anxious to
prove that he was something more than a
concocter of laughable situations, and the
tender simplicity of Sweet Lavender" so
caught the fancy of the public as to result
in the Tin England) unprecedented contin-
uous run of three years. Later, the strength
and originality of 1.-The Proaigate" lad
mirably portrayed by Forbes Robertson)
resulted in the whilom farce writer being
willingly conceded the leadership of the
''serious" dramatists, distinction which
he is likely to retain. He has not, how
ever, wholly abandoned farce writing, at
which he Is such an adept, and which
many thoughtful critics persist in regard
ing as his meter.
Mr.. Pinero's intricate knowledge of
stagecraft was acquired early, for he COM
menced life as an actor, and might have
achieved a certain amount of distinction
in that calling had he not made the timely
discovery that the pen was, in his case,
mightier than the buskin. His early as
sociations and training stand him in good
stead when he is called upon to read new
play to manager, or to the company
by whom it is to be interpreted, and his
practical acquaintance with the actors
art, coupled with his own extreme fas-
tidiousness, render him veritable marti-
net at rehearsal, and source of lively ter
ror to all dull or incompetent histrions
who may fall into his clutches. In fact,
the interchangeable author takes it upon
himself to teach his pupils how to act,
and expends more nerve tissue in rehears-
ing the company than in the actual writ
ing of his play. In this respect he has
much in common with his great French
compeer. Victorien Sardou.
Mr.. Pinero is well on the shady side of
40. He is spare, medium-sized man,
prematurely bald, with strongly-marked,
clean-shaven, bird-like face, small, pierre
ing eyes and an Unfortunately long, inquisi-
tive nose. He is usually to be found at
the Garriek Club, among such theatrical
lights as Henry Irving. John l.. Toele and
Beerhohm Tree. As a conversationallst
he is bright and incisive, with occasional
flashes of wit and an ever-apparent vigor-
Gus individuality which is extremely strik-
ing. His profits from play-making are
placed at various estimates. All that can
be said for certain is that they run into a
good many figures, and enable the popu-
lar author to live in good style and sport
q well-appointed prougham and pair.
JONES.
Henry Arthur Jones does not look like
a writer of plays. In fact. his appearance
and personality suggest nothing more
strongly than the esteemed superintend-
ent of a Peckham Sunday-school. He
gives one the impression of q meek, blame
less little man masquerading as man of
the world and q good fellow. And this
impression is never entirely dissipated,
although q closer acquaintance with Mr..
Jones will reveal his POSSESSION of self
assertiveness as emphatic as 1t appears
incongruous. Moreover, the author OF
The Dancing Girl knows the value of
an advertisement full well, and has many
ingenious little devices for keeping him
self and his plays before the public eye.
When he is at work upon new
play the newspapers are filled with
mysterious paragraphs nlnllng III
the unusually weird effects and psyche
logical developments which are 10 be
brought into use Then. again, Mr.. Zones
delivers little lectures on pIaymaking. and
the more serious-minded among the pub
lie sit at his feet while he impresses upon
them the Importance of construction and
dialogue. and reveals to them his methods
in the development of situation and plot
and the invention of curtains" His
great delight is to be taken du grand ser
ieux as a deep psychologist, and nobody
grudges the little man the full enjoyment
Of his hobby, for he is well liked by the
noisy Thespians who play solo whist and
Cevour Gargantuan suppers al the GREEN
room Club.
Many years ago Mr.. Jones was travelling
throughout the kingdom In the interests
Of large London dry goods firm. In his
hours of leisure, instead of participating
in the jovial diversions of his fellow bag
Gaen, met by chance in many dull coun-
try hotel, he filed reams of paper scrlb-
bling plays. At length one Of these plays
WAS accepted, and Mr.. Jones threw over
the care. of commerce for the sweets OF
dramatic authorship. But there be those
who aver that the authors method Of sell
ing play is not wholly dissimiler 20 that
which he would once have employed IN
disposing of line of dry. goods. | cannot
sneak .from personal knowledge, but l
have the word Of a weli-known manager,
10 whom Mr.. Jones ha. read many plays,
that after reading a scene OF which ne was
especially proud. he would break of 10
ell ,sNavU sDft that the finest