New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-15
Mr. SARGENT THINKS THAT 1T Is IN BAD Way
NOT MUCH IMPROVEMENT IN The IN
DEPENDENT THEATRES.

Mr. SARGENT THINKS THAT 1T is IN BAD Way
NOT MUCH IMPROVEMENT IN The IN
DEPENDENT THEATRES.
Franklin II Sargent. the head OF the American
Academy Of the Dramatic Arts. has just returned
from his annual visit to Europe in search OF IDEAS
and models The search seems TO have iouhd niue
reward He said Tribune reporter inc o'"er
day: THE Paris Conservatory stu grinds along on
lines inaugurated hundred years ago the maj
examinations OF its students on July were iar
inferior to those of past years and exhibited Ette' II
any talent There was, too. a remarkable and for
this institution a serious deficiency In the speech
delivery OF the students. Its centennial ceieD'"-
ton on August was a failure. the ch'ei speaheI
OF the day announced. the Minister OF
Instruction. failed to appear at all the i'arlsiah
critics and theatrical authorities have been TOT
several wears demanding changes and reforms in
the institution and although commission mas
been appointed by the Government to carry OUT
such reforms, the general expectation Is that ua-
dition will prove paramount TO reason ana mat no
alteration in the curousy od-tashioned ways ana
means of the Conservatory will be made. The value
and Importance OF this time-honored institution
even in its present condition. are too evident 10 De
disnroved but that it remains In groove while
other educational methods changing Is also very
evident Not a few OF the prominent graduates OF
the Conservatory speak disapprovingy OF IT, and
some very marked practical instances OF their DOUBT
OF it's worth shown, as IN tne case Oh .Iie 49,
Conuelin who instead Of sending his son theTe.
took him under his own apprenticeship In preparing
him for the stage. one reform needed by that IN
stitution cannot he readily effected. and that rs
the Introduction into It's ranks of pups o. pe'ter
talent and a better class. socially speaking.
nor DO the Independent theatres snow much aa-
vance While improvement in naturalness OF ACT
ing has probably been helped BY the independeni
theatre movements. much discredit may pe Iald "a
at their doors for the marked degradation OF moran
tone OF the plays OF the day. curious deihcation
OF mere physical life. at time when tAe ,1were t
vitality OF the race Is evident. Tney VIII prop
ably claim that their anxiety for the truth mas m
volved the laying bare of some OF the worst IN ne;
aestheticaljy the stage IN general has not prohted
from the Independent theatre movement neyohn a
rather slight stimulus to Photographic reailsn anu
even in that | doubt whether II has accomplished
any fixed results. Actors and payWrlRhts anu
managers seem to be theorzing or experimenting.
rather than definitely conceiving and executing. IL
appears TO me that we are advancing mueh more more
andy in this country than they are abroad Ger
tainy we cannot accept plays and acting tnae WI
in vogue ten years ago. having outkto"n
them: whereas the stage .o-day In Europe mas no1
advanced greatly In three or four years Ias. am am
the chief theatre OF Paris II perlorce P'a!'"e ''
pieces in the old way.