Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1894-02-23


start out with the narration by one of the
actors of what the story is intended to be.
Then everything is 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-
ton with the vague CLEAN of plot, but
actually have no relation one to the other.
Theater goers stood this for awhile be-
cause it was novelty, and "Evangeline,"
the pioneer of farce comedies" really con-
tanned some very clever hits. A craze soon
developed, and the slight cost of making
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 It
reached the zenith of its popularity about
three years ago and since then has been
failing as rapidly as a person afflicted with
galloping consumption. Shows that made
a great deal of money then would not be
tolerated now, and those which have lived
through the antifarce comedy cyclone sim.
ply afford additional illustrations of the
survival Of the fittest.
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 pet hobby of mine ever
since have been on the stage, and now
that have the opportunity to put my the
DRY 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 egotism real
ly think that I could remain with that or
min ns1I, Sc L. -.
kind in this country, as long as I cared to
do SO. But shall leave Mr.. Frohman to
take part in the company of my husband,
DE Wolf Hopper, next season, and I 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 by the hair of the head, as is the
case with the tutti frutti style of plays
which have been so popular for several
years.
We both believe that this enterprise will
pay from the box Office standpoint. OF
course it 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 it shall be demonstrated to the con-
trary, shall persist in my opinion that
our people prefer good, thoughtful, but
amusing entertainments to the wishy
washy trash in which the fun" is evolved
by means of somersaults, bass drum,
grotesque and absolutely senseless makeup
and the retailing of archaic gags and sug-
gestive stories.
Be the fate Of our departure" what it
may, there will be the satisfaction of hav-
ing made serious and conscientious step
in the right direction. Artistically consid-
cred. it cannot be failure, and it is this
knowledge which spurs me on to deter
mined effort. Theatrical enterprises, like
all other business undertakings, are entered
into primarily for the purpose of making
money, but l am one of those who believe
that with the original object always kept
we'll in view it is not necessary to ignore alb
solutely the artistic side of the affair. In
fact, it is my opinion that q due regard for
the proprieties is certain to win emphatic,
though too often tardy, recognition.
realize that many persons in and out of
the profession will accuse me of wishing to
appear to be didactic and will assert that
my few years of experience on the stage do
not warrant me in posing as an exponent
of higher art:' therefore desire that
what have here written shall not be con-
sidered as the dogmatic statements of a
veteran, but merely as the plain, candid,
unvarnished and sincere, but none the less
positive, opinion of one who has adopted
the stage as profession, and who intends
to rise as far as her limited abilities, aided
by unceaslng application, will permit.