Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-02-07

start out with the narration by one Of the
actors Of what the story Is intended TO be
Then everything Ia forgotten save the max
Ing Of opportunities for the exploitation OF
'specialties" and the singing Of songs and
choruses which not only have no connec-
tion with the vague CLEAN Qt a plot, but
actually have no relation one to the other.
Theater goers stood this for awhile be
cause It was a novelty, and "Evangeline,"
the pioneer Of ''farcs comedies" really con-
tained some very clever hits. A craze soon
developed, and the slight cost Of making q
production Of this sort offered such great
temptations TO managers with less money
than confidence In themselves that for sew
eral years the country was flooded with
farce comedies
Naturally the thing was overdone. 1t
reached the zenith of its popularity about
three years ago and since then has been
falling as rapidly as a person afflicted with
galloping consumption. Shows that made
Q great deal Of money then would not be
tolerated now, end those which have lived
through the antifaroe comedy cyclone sim
ply afford additional illustrations Of the
survival Of the fttest.
These are not mere idle words. They are
my convictions and are the result Of years
of thought. In fact, this form Of entertain
ment has been a pet hobby Of mine ever
since have been on the stage, and now
that have the opportunity to put my the
ory to the test intend to do It, have an
excellent engagement with Charles Froh.
mans stock company at the Empire thea
ter, New York, and without e9otism real
ly think that could remain with that or
ganization, which Is perhaps the best OF its
kind in this country, as long as cared to
do so. But shall leave Mr.. Frohman TO
take part In the company OF my husband,
De Wolf Hopper, next season, and do this
because it is his intention to produce come
| dies Of the Robertson type, with songs
which shall be logically introduced and not
| yanked in 10y the hair of the head, as Is the
case with the tutti frutti style Of plays
which have been 40 popular for several
years.
| We both believe that this enterprise will
| pay from the box Office standpoint. OF
course 1t is possible that we may be mis-.
taken, In which case for one shall be will.
ing to admit that misjudged the dramatic
tastes Of the American public. However
until IL shall be demonstrated to the con
trary, l shall persist in my opinion that
our people prefer good, thoughtful, but
amusing entertainments to the wishy
washy trash in which the "fun" IL evolved
by means Of somersaults, a bass drum
grotesque and absolutely senseless makeup
and the retailing Of archaic gags and sug
gestive stories.
Be the fate Of our departure" what Il
may, there will be the satisfaction Of hav
ing made q serious and conscientious steJ
In the right direction. Artistically consid
cred. 1t cannot be a failure, and 1t is thi
knowledge which spurs me on to deter
mined effort. Theatrical enterprises, lik,
all other business undertakings, are entered
into primarily for the purpose Of maxim!
money, but l am one OF those who belev,
that with the original object always KEEP
well in view II Is not necessary to ignore ab
solutely the artistic side of the affair. II
TACT, it Is my opinion that a due regard fo
the proprieties is certain to win emphatic
though too often tar,ly, recognition.
realize that many persons in and out o
the profession will accuse me Of wishing I,