The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-09

unknown German genius-for he was
a German, was he nOt?-who gave this
restful picture of tranquil, honest
home life to us; gave it with no thought
of spicing its pure charm with filth or
deflement; gave it serene in his conf
dence in the better motives of human
character. If when the inane farce,
the stupid problem play, the aenemic
drawing-room exhibit and the robusti-
Gus heroic masquerade shall have man.
aged to pail upon the jaded nerves of
the coming man, the amusement pur-
veyor of the future shall avail himself
of grade of commodity similar to
this German one, with it's sweet songs
and touching loves and sorrows, who
can doubt that it will sell; sell with
that happy avidity which betokens
something unexpectedly novel and
true?
Discussing the trite but ever inter-
~sting question of the future of the
legitimate" the Chicago Herald very
aptly says:
The passing of Mccullough, Booth Bar
rett ana others of honorable fame,
coupled with memories Of Edwin Forrest.
Charlotte Cushman. the elder Booth and
their fellows of an older generation, has
created sense of bereavement which in
turn is responsible for the impression
that the day of the legitimate drama is
at an end. But the recognized artist who
comes with an ample production Of an i'm
portant play may easily determine that
the fire is still alight upon the altar of The
legitimate If he is able to speak In tones
of absolute authority he will command
attention. A vast body of former play
goers, who have been partially weaned
from their old-time adherence to the stage
by an excessive diet of folly and farce
comedy frivolity, may be won again by
return to legitimate methods. 1t is not
the disposition but the opportunity that
has been lacking and is lacking today.
Managers have devoted themselves TO
attenuated comedies and silly farces on
the specious plea that these nerveiess
compositions We're demanded by the pub
lie, whereas 1t would appear that they
were preferred by the managers solely on
the score Of cheapness and the accom-
panying opportunity for greater profit.
Happily, the end of this dishwater regime
Is at hand. None of the important tlla-
lters find it possible to lure patrons with
the cheap bait of farce comedy, and there
$ reaction also against an excessive
supply of imported comedy. Organiz,t-
Ions accustomed to peddle drivel from
me end of the land to the other find them
elves in the jaws of bankruptcy and rail
[ fate without ceasing. But there is lit
lie complaint from legitimate undertake
l ngs put on foot with skill and lberali!y
Ada Rehan, in a round OF standard cnar-
| acters, has earned greater praise and
profit this winter than ever before; Rich
| ard Mansfield stands at the top of the
| ladder. amply satisfied with his success; /;
| Otis Skinner at one bound becomes a
recognized and prosperous star; Julia
Marlowe finds increasing appreciation Of
| the legitimate everywhere; Fanny Dav-
| enport demonstrates the demand of the
| hour for dramatic solids by her most eX-
| travagant but enormously profitable pro-
| duction of "Gismonda;" Mrs. Kendall finds
| no lack of appreciation for her sumptu-
| Gus revival of Lady Clancarty," while
| Kathryn Kidder's splendid production Of
| Sans Gene is quite in line with the other
| sterling successes of the season. Olga
| Nethersole, Alexander Salvini Robert
| Mantell, John Drew, Rose Coghlan and
| others might add their testimony to the
| proof of a revived interest in dramatic
worth, while Sothern, jefferson, Sol Rus
| sell and Goodwin, all of whom are dip
| ping into legitimate comedy this season
might also express an opinion that would