Morning journal and courier., 1893-03-27
A GREAT SUCCESS.

The Theaier Of Arts and Letters Com. |
pany Draws Large Houses Mt the
Hyperien-The Performance n The
atrical Novelty-Arts, Letters and
the Stage United-An Auspicious
Movement Toward Something
Higher.
The Theater of Arts and Letters
company, which made Its debut in New
Haven Last Saturday, may be said to have
scored wonderful success here. A goodly
number were present at the matinee per-
Torrance and in the evening there was q
large and fine audience. There was not
that audience of representative literary and
art people present that there might have
been had the artloving public been more
thoroughly acquainted with the idea and
scope of this new enterprise, but many
people of cultivation and refinement were
nevertheless present.
Henry B. Mcdowell or New York city,
who Is president of the board of trustees
of the Thestsr of Arts and Letters, and
who is a son of the famous union COM
mander at Bull Run battle, in explaining
| the work which the new thester proposes
| to do, said that.the new theater produced
plays like any other organization, but that
one-third of the entire profits went to the
| sinking fund of the Theater of Arts and
Letters, one-third for the purpose of pro-
ducing as many new American plays as
possible, and the other to be devoted to
| profit sharing among the members of the
artistic and mechanical force In addition to
the large salaries paid them. Thus the
/ -
| pens of such authors as Brandee Matthews,
Frank R. Stockton, Richard Harding Davis
and John Harrison. ALI the plays to be
presented are plays of to-day, rep
resenting life and people of to day.
The cast also was an exceptional one, con
tanning such artists as Paul Arthur, Mrs.
Agnes Booth, Hettis Guion, and all having
attained an enviable rank in the profes
sion. If there is any loss Mr.. Mcdowell
who is wealthy, bears it individually.
The performance was a novelty In more
ways than one. But what would havt
struck the average theater goer as tie
most peculiar was the absence of the OF
chestrs. No slow music to add to the sad
ness of the melancholy lines; no music t.
drown the rustic of Caius Caesars tunic as h
disappears above ths proscenium arch: The pla,
of the actors themselves for its excellence. TIL
highest degree possible of idealism and realism
l
the popular clap.trap Of mechanical art and side
show sentimentality."
1.-THE Decision of the Court" one-act coined.
| by Brander Matthews, was the first number Oh
| the program, and gave an excellent opportunit.
| for Mrs. Booth and the other artists to displa,
some of their best skill, also did Frank X
Stoekton's pastoral comedy, Squirrel Inn,
| which followed.
In the evening, In addition to 1.-THE Decision o
the Hall"were produced
The first is the worK of Richard Harding Davi
and a rather old discourse by a bishop to a youn
man who has asked for the hand OF his daugf
| ter. The bishop was well portrayed by the yer
cradle F F. Mackay, but Charles Mackay in tn
role Of the young sutton developed the fact tina
| the Theater Of Arts and Letters Is not altogethe
! free from poor actors.
| "Hal o. The Hall" John Harrison's play, CAV
Paul Arthur and Miss Grace Ktnbal a chanc
for some pretty love-making, but the play, a
though 1t is picturesque and quaint, is not a re
| markable production.
The verdict of critical thester -goer wa
enthusiastic in praise of the character Of tn
| performances and the fine work done by tn
| company. On all sides, in fact, great satisfsctio
was expressed. The company gave New Have
} | two rare and delightful theatrical treats. The
| 60 to Boston, then to Washington and after tbs
| produce their whole repertoire at Palmer
| theater, New York, under Mr. Palmer's direction
Mr.. Mcdowell his manager, MIR. Dixon, and Nj
| Bunnell deserve thanks for giving such admirabl
, | entertainments.