The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-20

tion Of plays on the order of THE Sec
ond Mrs. Tanqueray," seen here one
week ago: what l want to know"
he asks, ''is what good do these plays
do? They certainly pander to the vi
ciousness of human nature and cause
children to ponder over things they
should not know until later in life.
They solve no problems and teach no
lessons. To my mind they are the out
come Of feverish, morbid period, and
like the paretic style of novel, which
belongs to this same period, cannot live.
There Is nothing ennobling about them,
and they fail to elevate the stage. They
answer no good purpose, and the quick
er they die the better" Touching the
argument that nastiness pays, he per-
tinently remarks. MY own experience
has been that the public Is always eager
to support good, wholesome play that
is entertaining. The play must have a
strong heart interest and must teach a
lesson. do not mean that playwright
must pound morality and virtue into
the heads of the people. Neither is it
necessary that the characters should all
be ministers and do nothing but preach
The people will not have that. If they
want preaching they will so to church
for it." Mr.. Cranes conclusion Is that
authors must soon find it more profit
able to write good, healthy plays that
deal with the moral side of life. They
will find them more lasting. The day of
the good. wholesome drama Is not far
away Then not few, but all, of the
theatres will be giving entertainments
that children, as well as their elders.
may see. and the playhouse will again
be known as a place of healthy amuse-
ment. When that time comes I will
cheerfully shout out, with iInumerable
Others. Heaven be praised"
The Sun tells the following good
story on Joseph jefferson. For week
during Mr.. Jefferson's recent produc-
ton of the immortal rip" one man
had each night occupied u certain seat
and applauded vociferously. On the
concluding evening Of the engagement.
this man went to the stage entrance,
and asked If he might see Mr. Jeffer-
son for just a moment. The veteran
actor is a man of kind heart, and he
Blank come in. I'll see him for a mo-
ment." Mr.. Blank entered modestly
and began: Mr.. Jefferson, this is in
deed an honor for which l thank you.
! have a great appreciation for art
lists" Mr.. jefferson made conven-
tional reply. Yes continued Mr..
Blank, Il have enjoyed Rip Van
Winkle' more than any play that have
ever seem" Thank you," said Mr..
Jefferson. II came to see it with pur-
pose continued Mr. Blank. II have
heard SO much of Rips long sleep. and
being a wide-awake man myself l
thought that could do little business
with you that would be to our mutual
advantage" Mr.. jefferson was sur
prised at this turn of the conversation,
and he said II haven't the slightest
idea of what you are limiting at, Mr..
Blank. VIII you please explain?"
We'll, you see, Mr.. Jefferson, I am the
inventor of a patent spring bed It's
dandy, sir and all that l claim for it.
or l shouldn't. have come to you. 1t
will not sag in the middle with use, and
it is an article that is warranted never
there is $40 a night in it for you. I'm
willing to spend money. You will earn
1t dead easy. l just want you to put
in line in the play after you wake up
saying that you had slept on one of
Blanks patent spring beds. That's
all you've got to do, and there's $40 a
night in it for you, and 1t is an article
that'-but Mr.. jefferson had fled
Just before concluding his American
tour, Beerbohm Tree made a farewell
speech" which is gem in it's way He
said: Ladies and Gentlemen-Tonigh
We are to take leave Of you, but before
doing so l desire to express my thanks
for the consistent and generous en-
couragement which we have received
at the hands of the American people
since We arrived on these shores. We
shall take back with us only pleasant
memories and grateful thoughts of the
warmth with which you welcomed US,
and Of the godspeed which you have
given US tonight. I am happy to be
able to announce to- you that l have
accepted an offer to return to this
country before another year elapses. /
hope you will not forget us in the
mean time. Hamlet says: "A great
mans memory may outlive his life half
year, but, by'r lady, he must build
churches then Ladies and gentlemen,
] hope we may have succeeded in build
ing some little shrines in your hearts.
ON Wednesday we shall sail for Eng
land with not cloud to dim the blue
sky of our memory"
TOOTLIGHT FLASHES:
Henrik Ibsen is Gs years old.
Sadie Martinot has closed her initial
starring tour.
Mollie Fuller is doing a Trilby dance in
her bare feet.
Charles Frohman has engaged 800 actors
for next season.
Maud Banks will present "Wildfire"
soon In New York.
Bob Hilliard will star next season in
''Twenty-four Hours"
Edwin Arden, of Eagles Nest" fame.
has Joined Mansfield's company,
Henry Arthur Jones' new play is called
1.-THE Triumph of the Philistines."
Mrs. Patrick Campbell may come to
America next season with John Hare.
Lotta has been spending the winter in
Madrid. She will return home in May.
Mansfield will produce "The Peruvians,"
q modern romance, by Louis N. Parker.
1t Is said that Jack Rafael is to marry
the daughter OF a Frisco newspaper man.
Modjeska Is In Rome She has played
Fedora" and will add the Second Mrs.
Tanqueray" to her repertoire.
Clara Daymer, who is to play Lady Mac
beth" at forthcoming matinee in New
York, is a niece of Archbishop O'Brien, of
Halifax.
What that tragedy needs" said one
critic, sis more realism" YES" replied
the other They ought to kill the actors
sure enough. h.'-Washington Star.
IT ia limited bv Ie Figaro that Sar,lo,,o