The herald., 1897-06-27
CONDUCTED by Geo. A. Dobinson.y

(Conducteh by Geo. A. Dobinson.y
The evolution Of local dramatic lit
erature is fondly anticipated by the San
Francisco Examiner, which predicates
its editorial hope upon the fact that just
now two Of the local theaters are hav-
ing 4 large success with home produc-
tions. racy Of the soil, and that at least
one Of the pieces is of unusual merit. The
piece thus singled out for distinction
ID one in which an actor of whom no one
had previously taken any particular no
tice conceived the idea of making SEN
sational sketch for which the squalid
life Of the Chinese quarter should fur
nish material. To any one who has PEN
etrated the foul recesses of that delect-
able part OF San Francisco. who has
seen the filth. inhaled the indescribable
odors and observed the pagan manners
and customs Of its stolid inhabitants.
might be pardoned an expression of
mild surprise that the reproduction of
any part Of such vile surroundings
should find favor, even with a San Fran
cisco audience. But, as in chemistry, the
sweetest odors are often distilled from
unlovely substances, the Examiner sees
IN this concoction of scenes from the
opium dens and other realistic sources
an Inspiration equaling that Of Harriet
Beecher Stowe in her portrayal of the
southern negro and of Shakespeare in
his delineation Of the Jew of Venice.
Grecian literature fourished among a
handful Of people no bigger than the
population of the Pacific slope, and the
England Of Elizabeth was not as big as
California. 1t may also be admitted
that the country is no larger yet. These
are circumstances that cause the jour-
nalistic prophet to draw comfort from
the fact that there is room here and to
spare for home talent. Certainly here
Is the room, but where is the company?
The dramatist desiring to gain inspira-
tion from the historical events that have
taken place on this coast and from the
idiosyncracies of the dwellers here, both
past and present, will hardly begin by
turning over the muck heap Of Chinese
degradation, as 1t is in evidence in Cali
fornia. Even Zola in his exploitage of
the Paris markets did not descend so
low.
That this state does offer an inviting
ground for the dramatist bent upon the
construction Of strictly American dra-
ma is proposition that need not be
disputed. When the dramatist who is
looked for with such eager expectancy
does arrive. he will find no lack of mate
rial. Human nature. with it's hopes, its
passions. its elevation and its degrada-
ton, Is the same now as it was in the
time Of Sophocles, and as it was in the
time of Shakespeare. The great Ameri-
can dramatist-to-be will achieve his dis
tinction by the ability with which he will
blend his local coloring, and, maybe,
historical incident, in picture that,
while it can reveal nothing new, will
capture audiences by it's truth as we'll
as by its power to stimulate the nobler
passions of the soul. The revelations of
foulness and obscenity in play or novel
will never achieve for their authors more
that a f1eeting notoriety. The American
dramatist must occupy loftier plane,
and until he or she arrives the public
must get along with its "Shenandoahs." i"
its "Alabamas," its Senators" and even
tolerate its latest Chinese excresence.
+
Edward A. Dithmar, the we'll known
dramatic critic Of the New York Times
says:
There is some sort of serious oppo-
sition in London to the publication of
plots of plays before the performance
and after it, for that matter. Mr.. Syd-
ney Grundy, a dramatist, who is fond Of
complaining, seems to- head the oppos-
ers. The London press is taking to the
atricaI gossip with a vengeance. It's
readers crave it, while the actors and
managers encourage its publication. be-
cause notoriety is the breath of their
lives. The authors, too, are as fond there
as they are here of having good things
printed about their plays. But they all.
authors, actors and managers, are quick
enough to take offense whenever any
thing is printed that does not suit them.
However, as long as news and gossip
OF the theaters is demanded by newspa-
per readers, the enterprising newspapers
will print it, and plots of plays. espe-
cially when they are novel and ingen-
aous, are interesting news Of this kind.
Mr.. William Archer is astonishingly
enthusiastic over " Secret Service" He
writes of 1t in the London World: "To
call 1t the best play we have seen at the
Adelphi for many years would be to
assign 1t to wrong claim. 1t is simply
the best thing of its kind, the best drama
of adventure and situation, written
within my recollection in the English
language. Mr.. Gillette shows through
out gift of invention that would do
Sardou no discredit; he piles situation
on situation with almost too lavish in
genuity; and he writes with such so
briefly, delicacy and feeling as to trans
pose what would otherwise be crude
enough military melo-drama into the
key of literature, almost, one might say.
of poetry"
Green Room Gossip
Fanny Davenport's production will be
that of drama by Margaret Merring-
Mr. J. E. Dodson is, the nosseascor of -