The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1896-06-06


annoyance of his family thereat. will
be readily recalled.
One after another the repertoire
companies are returning to New York.
They report good business. Repertoire
companies have improved and in
creased in number since the first year
OF the hard times. Troupes whose av-
erage ability is high have been forced
to play at 10. 20, and 35 cent rates.
The eastern half Of the country has
grown accustomed to excellence and
cheapness, but the west still sniffs at
low prices The fact is there are not
many actors, taking the best as
standard. compared to the whole num-
Der travelling. whose performance is
worth q dollar and a half The classes
Just out OF some dramatic school that
Frohman sends over the country. are
merely practicing. Their work cor
responds to that OF young physician
who walks the hospitals after leaving
college. With exceptions and reserva-
tions the graduates work Is not SO
dusty. They should keep in mind,
however, that they are practicing and
that honesty is the best policy. People
who only go to the theatre occasion
ally and then only to be amused. do
not care for artistic finish. especially
II they have to pay for 1t. Most any
one, with a little training. can amuse
an audience ten cents worth. espe-
cially II he have nine or ten students
Of amusement to aid him. Frohman
has been in the habit Of making up q
company without stars, but with one
or two fairly good actors and a few
the road as first-class companies.
They charge the highest prices and
the cubs get an idea they need no
more training. They started on the
road nice. modest. little students and
the system has spoiled them. Mediocre
acting ought not TO grade A in the
market. Their is a gulf fixed between
Corse Payton and Joseph Jefferson.
which the former recognizes. 1t would
be well il other manager actors were
as honest. Core Payton gives a good
show for the money. He pleases his
audiences. which never leave the house
feeling they have not received their
moneys worth. He, and others like
him, are. in the dramatic world, what
lfthografs are to artists work i. e..
copies OF great originals. the sight of
which only q few enjoy. Mediocre ac-
tors with an enthusiasm for their pro-
fession and little creative ability fill
an all worthy mission. They drive
dull care away from hearts weighted
down. with something besides pocket
book
The repertoire companies have made
money this season where others have
lost. 1t Is more profitable to play to
500 thirty cent people than to
$50 one dollar people. The larger audi
ence is more stimulating to the players
and the lower scale Of prices lessons
extravagance on their part. From the
standpoint Of the public the high
prices for poor performances have no
excuse for being and the manager who
fools theatre-goers into the belief that
because they pay a dollar and a half
for their seats they are seeing that
amount Of talent is going to lose the
confidence Of his patrons. which may
not worry him at all until he sees
that loss Of confidence means empty
seats.
ness at the Lansing on Wednesday
night. The audience was unusually
brilliant and put me in mind of those
Of I'VE Yeara ago wien the nleas ure