The sun., 1895-03-15
INTERESTS or THE STAGE.
TALK OF "IRTLBT," GUTLBERT,
AND RICHARD MANSFIELD.

hhurrlGnu'e Thcntrr--GnhrtCtie hcinne'A
AetinT-At Miner's sshows-A New Play
Performed by Mr. snrxeurs Studeats.
The actors in their lounging places yesterday
were found by n SUN reporter to be talking
mainly on thros subjects. One OF these was tho
production of "Trllby" as play In Boston.
They had read accounts of the success OF the
venture. and "a hardly any body had anticipated
anything except failare, there were few who
could say l told you So" The Boston critics
agree substantially that Mr.. Potter, In trans
ferring the story from the book TO tho stage,
contrivcd to lose li.tle OF the !" Atmos sphere"
swhils adding enough OF dramatic form 20 make
a piecs acceptable to admirers OF Du Mauricr's
novel aud the general audience alike. Thus 1t Is
once more proved Tint the stage Is II great place
for tho unexpected to happen. A second topic
of fconversntion WAS the abandonment; OF Edward
1IartiRan OF his theatre, and its requirement by
Richard Mansfield. Tho feeling of sympathy
for Mr.. Harrigan seems to bc rs genuine n 3 IL
was general and the idea prevailed that benc-
tit entertainment should ba given for him
Toward Mr. Mansfield ths attitude was not cor
dial. lie has never courtcd the good will of his
fellow players. But guess he can get along
pretty well with our dislike" said one actor,
who had been lately dismissed from the Mans
field company, IF only he can please the cash
public. lie can do that, surely. II ho gets good
roles TO enact in good plays" The third theme
car Hammerstein. The pay demanded by the
risky Partisan balladist had prevented any
American manager from hiring her. until Mr..
Hanmcrsten decided to have her at any cost
for the opening of his big vaudeville house in
Longacro square. OF course, this move is cal
cuatcd TO give a fashionable vogue to the the
ntre at tho always critical outset. Rumor had
1t yesterday that Roster d. Bial will, as an Off
set, introduce Albert Chevalicr. the English
costermonger singer, at the same time.
Henry Irving is to DO with us again next win
ter aud welcome Bcerbohm Tree will come,
too. but he is undecided whether to make the
stay long or short. 1t Is almost settled that
John Hare will visit with his players. and
Charles Wyndham may do so. viii 1t come to
panIes will divide their time between England
and American Alexander Snlvini will probably
Waller, the aged actress. is threatened with a
loss OF sight. Charles Goaldock Is to retire to
ting over his injuries receiyed in Geor--
Ria railway accident. J. w. Piggott of
lately deceased English censor "e 81 plays. " The The
Countess Castelvecchio will give another matt
debut. and she is treated there as san an American
product because OF her hve years OF prosperity
pentine" dancing to a pantomimic performance
Eleanor Mayo has retired from tho stage to be-
come Mrs Elyerson. ,odette Tyler i, convaIes-
had the grip badly: Charles II. Hoyt and his
sifo are going to Europe. Cyril will go back
Shannon and A. S. Lipman have broken u leg
apiece.
1t is no injustice to Richard Mansfeld's
achievements actor and manager to say
that the extent of what he may accomplish for
the American stage is still to be determined:
but it would be unfair to deny that his career so
H.. -, = l. ~
what is best and worthicst in stage art. The
actor-nanager is figure which has caused a
great deal OF discussion in London. where he is
more familiar than he is here and is repre-
sented by the leaders of the English stage,
Henry Irving. Beerbohm Tree George Alex
ander, and Charles Wyndham. In this city, of
late years, Mr.. Earrigan alone has combined
these two capacities and 1t looks as though
the little theatre in Thirty-ffth street
were destined to keep alive the only in
stances Of this united effort that NC are to SEQ
here. Mr.. Mansfield. more than any other
American actor. has shown himself entitled to
the artistic control Of a theatre, and his pres
ence will DO welcome. The brief outline OF his
policy made public contains promise of crafty
ing results, and no feature of it is more encour-
aging than tho announcement that the plays
and the actors will be chiefly regarded in his
theatre. There those who hold that no in
OF the drama in this country than the necessity
which managers have Impressed on New York
audiences OF seeing all plays produced with u
prodigal extravaganza in the matter of uphOl-
htery and wardrobe whether those djuncts are
indispensable or not TO the representation OF u
piece. The expense involved has become so
great that no play which seems uncertain OF
running long enough to secure a return of tho
outlay stands any chance OF production Goa
than il London. Paris or even Berlin. and
larger than that OF any Of these foreign elties.
Beerbohm Tree during his recent visit here
impressed with the TACT that the amount OF !
money spent in stage amusement at tho
theatres was greater than the sum which Lon
more new plays than New York does. although
this is accomplished principally by means OF the
matinee performances, the system OF long runs
Par;e. where sumptuousness OF millinery and
cehtinuaily presented. even When they are Of a
Kind thai may not become popular enough 10 be
MIR. Mansfield may be relied upon to present
psys r;ss 1sdeg9kats and appropristeiy ard TO take
welcome any artistic change. II only Tor noy-
Which how uo
MI WI, Prove when there is the lack of the merit
His wife's Father" has earned lis genuine
st success through no extra spmpt1ousness Of pro
duction ara Madeleine. Mt the Bijou is very
modesty prssSshtrd II the matter Of scenery and
monda' without wishing that more money had
been paid Tor the acting ard less for the
paint and canvass A theatre with repertory
OF good plays well acted will be welcome In New
York, and there Will be TO lack of audiences
willing to foreGo the scenery and the costumes
that cost so much and mean so little when their
value is exaggerated out Of the right proper
,lon. Mr.. Mansfield is an artist fitted 70 com
mence so good Il work, and the satisfaction of it
should be enough TO keep him behiad the cur
tain line where his manners are never bad nor
his intelligence questionable. reports from tho
West bringing discouraging news OF both when
the actor inakes speeches.
Tho French players at Abbey's have been
ngreeSbly received. and there 10 no question OF
Niue. ReiHne's personal success, although visits
OF rctors Playing in foreign language have
proved that they rarely achieve great popular
ity. Nine. Rojane has Jared better than any of
her French predecessors, and in q play which it
taxes little short Of the perfect familiarity with
French to comprehend. 1t is full OF argo,, that