New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-27
PLAN TO IMPROVE THE STAGE.

BOSTON WANTS TO START AN OID-FAsHroHgD
STOCK CoMPANY-HENRY IRvINGs ADVICE.
Boston Nov GA meeting was held In the Btou
Theatre this noon for the purpose Of publicly intro
ducng a project looking toward the improvement
of the stage The presiding officer was Henry NJ.
Rogers who spoke at length upon the objects Of
the Arporation which 1t Is intended to FORM and.
aftcp reading letters from the Rev. Leighton Parks
and Henry Irving, introduced Henry A. Clapp as
the chief sneaker of the meeting Mr.. Clapp dwet
uron the present moral and intellectual status Of the
stage and expressed the opinion that something
could done to rectify the so-called decadence OF
the English drama Papers were presented FOR sig
nature enlbodyfng the scheme for the organization
OF the Standard Company OF Actors, and the out
come will be made known when the committee has
canvassed the situation and obtained the necessary
financial encouragement. Henry Irvings letter was
as follows:
1 am sorry that / shall not be able to attend the
meeting with regard to the formation OF the new
stock company, but assure you that my sympa-
taking. Some such measure is necessary Tor the
furtheranee OF proper hstrionic traIning ana any
should look gratefully on such puolicspirited en-
teTP ba National utility of such body for instance
as the Coincide Franchise cannot De overrateG, .of
not only can It preserve the subtleties OF artistic
work which genius creates and tradition completes
but It can keep ever before young workers those
happy Inspirations Of the moment which count for
temperament, and which continuously existing
body can record and transmute into .V.ns facts
Not that one temperament can reproduce the quail
ties of another but TO know and be able TO judge or
the method and effect OF great predecessors must IN
any art be OF ncalculabe advantage. Sucn aG-
vantage can only be preserved by the transnitiance
OF example and TO Classical art traditions are not
mere clouds that come and go. With great trad.
lions may come great style, and without great
style there be great acting. To see great
actor is in itself, for younger one something OF al
education and to the moods OF great artists
placed before the student must be or the greatest
advantage in any school Of art. .
Now how are these traditions to be preserved!
This is a question which have often been asked in
nv own country Money is spent on great
variety of philanthropic ard educa; ionai Objects
there are handsome endowments for schools OF
painting and colleges OF music; why not nave one
subyentioned theatre IN large centre where TIE
standard OF the drama can De successfully uphe.d
ard where the student may study the methods ard
technique OF his art? For with such theatre there
would be dramatic school,. In years TO come 1t VIII
an instrument for good or Ill the stage was eft
entirely outside the sphere Of pubic admin ;raton
progress. In my young days there were dramatic
schoos-old stock companies, where an actor waj
compelled TO study many parts III many plays, ana
70 know the difference Of gesture and demeanor De-
tween one romantic period and another. The pres
ert system Of long runs gives an actor little chance
IL Is for the future of stage that some are con-
cerned and the future OF the young actor should be
earnestly thought Theatres are increasing
and actors Increasing, and our sons and daugn-
tiers are taking to the stage ana pnlnS Tor the
want OF some help and discipline. The theatre Is an
important factor in the life OF an ordered COM
munity, and it becomes us to hep II onward and up