The evening world., 1891-06-25
PLAYS AND THE PLAYERS.
The Five AS Take Up a Very
Interesting Subject.

OlSCuSSlOn Is just beginning TO simmer
along the edge OF things theatrical, and It is
quite likely that 1t viii reach the usual dig
nifty OF such dimensions. In fact, 1t is said
that the Five AS Club-the dramatic Court OF
Appeals-is going TO vote upon the subject
and sift It thoroughly. The question is this:
Shall actors and actresses accept engage
ments to appear at the private houses OF the
wealthy ones who are able TO pay for the lux
ury Of their presence: This question has ap-
peared upon the surface OF agitation because
an agency is just being started on Fifth ave-
nue. with the avowed purpose OF acting as a
medium between society and the actor. For
instance, II Mrs De Parvenu feels that she
would like, say Nat Goodwin, TO give some
recitations at her house after supper for the
delectation Of her guests, all she has to do is
TO go to this agency, make known her wants,
and await the result OF negotiations. This
kind OF thing Is done in England, where class
distinctions are very fine. The professional
people go out as semi-servants, get their little
fee, and toddle away, without suffering any
very severe shock to their dignity. queen
Victoria orders performances occasionally at
Windsor Castle. Her orders are al
ways obeyed. number OF theatrical
New Workers, however, declare that
such an institution In this land OF
the equal or the professedly equal
would be an outrage. IL would not be toll
Grated. said q wrli-knOwn dramatic gentle
man: "AmeTican actors would consider that
such servitudr would lower their arts. Pro
fessiOnel people who would cOndfsCeEd TO
people who have been dining wisely and well
would In this country lose their dignity, be
treated as servants, and feel mOrtally
wounded. Actors here are very exclusive. Emil
ma anf oFft ate nj iTgF TA Of
benefits, and would Infinitely prefer 10 send
their check, as Edwin Booth has done hun
dred times. The difference between playing
In theatre pro bono pubiicO, and In private
house, for pampered few Is very great. A
high Official some time ago begged me TO
secure for him a few actors to appear at
fete he was giving. That was years ago.
| tried II. Even then was laughed at and al
most insulted. There Is a dignity IN dramatic
art that must not be trailed upon the ground"
| favor the agency. The Five AS will undoubt-
| edly come 10 the rescue and remove all pos
sible probable shadow Of doubt.
Eddie Foy, the obstreperous comedian, who
made the good, fat Dave Henderson get out an
| injunction against him, restraining him from
playing In any other companies than Hender-
sons, for three years, has become reconciled
| to his eX-manager. He win go back 10 his old
| fold, and appear In E" "sindbad the Sailor" In
Chicago, tonight.
Charles Z. Locke, OF the weird ex-frIn OF
| Locke & Davis, was on Broadway, yester-
day, stout, greasy, untroubled and - alone
A new comic opera by Miss Emma Steiner,
| a BaltimOrean, is TO be presented at the
Standard Theatre during the last week In
new opera is called "Fleurette," and the
| libretto is the work OF Mrs DOremus and
Edgar Smith. Miss Steiner herself Will lead
the orchestra. The opera is said to be very
pretty and original.
A dramatic agent issued a notice the other
day asking all actors who were disengaged
and wanted employment 10 call at his once.
A large number responded 90 the call They
were told that they could all get positions as
walters In summer hotels II they like. This
dramatic agent Is not In New York, so re-
strain your wrath, you OF the Rialto, when
ye read this.
"The City Directory is not going to take q
very long rest this Summer. one company
opens In San Francisco July 20, ana begins
rehearsals next month; the second OTganiZa-
tion bursts upon the public Aug. 81. Man.
ager John II. Russell says he doesn't believe
IN long rests. lie has Just returned from Lon.
don, where he went 20 see certain play
Asked II he had secured any artists over there
Mr.. Russell melted into an obese laugh and
declared that American people were quite
good enough for him.
| 1hAh lL ENtll1iu oa9 . bilaS NC 10 stay
In New York until next Christmas and accept
metropolitan enJoymGnts, He does not like
travelling and there does not seem 20 be any
very great necessity for hin 10 HE himself
away, He Is very gTieved at various reports
to the enect that he has been engaged for the
road. lie hasn't been.
|
The open air GAS You Like It" has
awakened the imitators. The comedy o
Arden Is now 10 be done In Pittsburg-with 9
background OF real gray smoke, and In saI
| Francisco.