The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-06
Especial Correspondence

NEW YORK, Sept. MIR. Franklin Sar-
geant and II number of men who possess
either wealth or literary ability expect to
make dramatic experiment during the
coming winter which may have consider
able interest in the development of Ameri-
can literature. Under Mr. Sargeant's d.
rection, and the patronage Of these wealthy
and literary associates, tests are to DO
made of plays written upon American sub
1ccts and by American authors
Dramatic managers believe that the time
Is near at hand when the United States
will not care for plays of French origin ar
ranged for the American stage or even for
transplanted English drama The oppor-
tunities for dramatic themes which the
United States offers are so rich, varied and
In many respects new that, with the dram
atist OF ability, 1t is believed that the time
has come when advantage may be taken Of
these resources.
Then there is noticed among the writer's
OF fiction very strong desire to turn to
dramatic literature. Mr.. Howells, Mr.
Akrich, George Parsons Lathrop and
some others who have won distinction as
writer's have for long time desired to pro-
duce drama which would meet with ar
tistic MS we'll MS popular success.
Lathrop has come quite near hitting tho
bulls oye with his delightful dramatiza-
ten several plays, none Of which have Sc
cured such approval from managers us
this ono did
Mr. Howells' little onesact farces, while
they arc very charming to read, do not
Seem to have the quality which PRODUCES
success upon the stage.
Mrs. Burnett, who made handsome
little fortune with Little Lord Fauntle-
roy" has not been able to duplicate that
SUCCESS The English writers Of romance
like Barrie and Jerome and Buchanan
have succeeded better in dramatic writing
than any Of the conspicuous American ro-
nance writers hnvo done.
1t Is probably true that the splendid DC
cuniary rewards which come TO those who
have written II successful play have tempt
cd some OF these greater authors OF ours
Yet the feeling exists among writer's tina.
In the near future the drama may perhaps
be more powerful and popular method
OF Touching lesson presenting lifo rs 1t Is
developed In America than the printed
book can be-
Mr.. Stuart Robson said recently that the
successful writers OF fiction can never DO
successful playwrights until they abandon
purely literary production. The writing
Of play. Mr.. Robson said, must be made
tho business OF the playwright's life. He
must abandon everything else to 1t.
That IL tho opinion Of Bronson Howard
and William Gillette, who have made more
money and produced more successful
playl than any American playwrights.
Each OF them has gained fortune, and
each OF them abandoned other lines of 40
tivity to devote themselves exclusively to
the construction OF plays. Mr.. Howard
gave up journalism and Mr.. Gillette TO-
tired from the stage, where he had achieved
some success rs an actor.
One of the most successful PLAYS over
written was Beau Brimmcll," and the
manner OF writing that, as recently de-
scribed to the writer, mny he interesting
As showing the method of constructing n
successful play. Richard Mansfield, who
had Ind varied career as journalist.
opera singer, and who at one time hoped to
be successful painter, was told by
William Winter. the accomplished dra-
matte critic, that the character Of Beau
Brrmmell would, II treated rightly, make
the basis OF II successful play.
Mansfield thereupon rcad all that had
been written about Beau Brummell, and
from the story Of this famous dandy's life
obtained certain hints which he thought
would serve for basis for the plot or
story OF the drama. Then calling his pri-
vato secretary to his parlor in Philadel-
phia hotel every morning. Mansfield paced
tho floor acting out the different charac-
ters as he had them in mind 1t was OK
temporaneous work with him. The secre-
tary mnde notes, and when the hour had
expired he.had n skeleton, so to speak, and
all that no needed to do was to fill in the
dialogue. q
The trouble with those who write fiction
and then attempt to write plays Is that
they write the dialogue first. 1t reads
well, but usually acts miserably. "Bcau
Brummcll' was therefore acted before it.
was written. On another occasion Mans
field had the idea of q play In hisfnind.
and he sent for q well known writer to
breakfast with him ut Delmonicos. In n
little while the walters were staring with
establishment mt the actor. There over his
coffee and chop Mansfield was acting an
entire play rs he had it in mind, and
when the breakfast was over he had given
the writer the skeleton upon which was
builded one OF Mnnsfield's most successful
plays
Bronson Howard frequently used dummy
figures setting them on n miniature stage
and timing their movements so that he
know to the fraction OF second how
many minutes would be required for the
delivering of certain lines, and where his
characters would stand. Having thus fin.
ished the mechanical part Of the work. he
fills In the dialogue
Gillette lies upon his sofa or bed some
times for hours mt n time with his eyes
closed, making mental picture Of every
scene and movement, and when he has
thus rehearsed over and over again I'm ST
lence and temporary blindness the various
parts, he writes out what the characters
have to say. That is something like the
method of Augustus Thomas, who is rap
idly coming 70 the front us n great play
wright.
When the writers of romance who arc