Morning journal and courier., 1893-03-23
THEArER OF ARTs AND LETTERS

A unique OF&An1B0t1On ana a Aes
markable CemPany-Represent
People of New York's Literary,
Ariistie and Social Life-Ils object
American Stage.
Frederick Edward Maoksy, the confiden-
tial secretary of Henry Burden Mcdowell,
the president of the board of trustees of
the Theater of Arts and Letters, arrived in
New Haven yesterday afternoon and put
up at the New Haven house.
The Theater of Arts and LISTERS is an in
stitution that has been the center of atten-
ton of New York city throughout the sea-
son. 1t has given subscription perform
snoes at Proctor's and the Fifth Avenue
theater there, and it has had in its audi
ences the representative people of New
York's literary, artistic and social sets. 1t
is essentially fin-de-siecle scheme, and it
cannot be compared with anything else.
"The Theater of Arts and Letters" said
Mr.. Maekay to a JOURNAL AND COURIER
reporter, sis established because 1t is be-
lieved that there are no managers in this
country in position to divorce their am
billions from their bank accounts. It Is
not dig in the face at existing conditions,
but an incentive in the direction of art of
rio desire.
'It is a new theater in that it does not
necessarily follow tradition. For instance,
| at the subscription performances, which it
gives before its members, the women are
not to wear hats; it does away with the
| orchestra and there are no reserved seats.
It Is in the nature of private club, and it
| is founded under what ia known as The
| club act of the state of New York, which
makes it impossible for there to be profit
If there be surplus 1t becomes re-
| bate"
"Then the Theater of Arts and Letters
is not calculated to make money!
Not at all. OF course, as is the case with
| any other club, it wants its affairs run on
a business basis; 1t wants to know where
| it stande; and it does not propose to throw
away money.
"You know, of course" continued Mr..
Mackay. "that there are independent thea
ters in Paris and In London. In few re-
| spects the Thester of Arts and Letters re-
sembles these foreign organizations. But
in several fundamental respects it is totally
different. The plays it stages are pro-
1 uuCeo USCAuS6 tA6y e6cm u U6 Ok 6QS kin
an intelligent American audience could
| relish.
''It is possibly worthy of note in this
connection that before the season is over
the Thester of Arts and Letters will have
produced more new plays than all the 9th
or theaters of America put together. This
fact alone indicates its broadening and
elevating effect on the American stage.
"The theater's company closed very
successful engagement last week at the
| Columbia theater, Boston. A dramatizs
ton of Frank R. Stockton's social fantasy,
Squirrel Inn," was acted there, and the
Boston Transcript critic said that it was
the most generously entertaining evening
he had passed in a theater.
"We were especially DESTROYS to play in
New Haven because We recognize 1t as an
art center. We believe that you will es
innate and appreciate accurately our pur,
pose and accomplishments.
"We do not feel that We ore Boosting
when We claim we have a capital cast. We
carry double company that includes
Agnes Booth, for several years the princi-
pal member of A. N. Palmer's stock com.
Lyceum stock company; Mary Shaw,
recently with Minna Gales-Haines; Hetta
Guion, who was a member of Lester
Wallaek's stock company; Paul Arthur,
remembered in New Haven az
the leading man of the Charles
Frohman's Jane company; F. F.
Macksy, president of the Dramatic
Art league; D. N. Haskins, who has just
left Richard Mansfield to sign with us;
Eugene Ormonde, ex of the Lyceum
theater; pretty Grace Kimball, who would
have been leading lady for Edwin Booth
and Lawrence Barrett had not Barrett died.
"The Decision of the Court" by Pro.
lessor Brander Matthews, and Squirrel
Inn" will be acted on Saturday afternoon
at the Hyperion, and "Hal O. the Hail." a
costume play by John Harrison, and "The
Other Woman" will be staged on Saturday
| evening.