The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-04-01

My Friend from India Is the work or
q New York newspaper man, and Is
one of the best money-making attrac-
tions on the road, no less than five
companies now playing 1t. Yet this
same play was rejected by every
prominent manager in New York. 1t
was offered to the men who assume
to set in Judgment on things theatri-
cal. and one after another OF them pro-
nounced it bad; knowing all about
such things, they said 1t was rot and
rubbish, and they would have none Of
1t. Now that their ruling Is dlsap.
proved, these same mighty minds say
the public don't know enough to dis
Criminate, and they cling blindly to
the egotistical idea that they know 1t
all. This calls to mind the fact that
when John Habberton sent "Helen's
Babies" to the publishers 1t was re-
jected, and was finally actually thrown
Into a barrel of waste paper. Some
body fished out the manuscript and be-
came interested, and eventually the
most popular book of Its time was
printed Then "Jack" Habberton,
who had never done lick Of newspa.
per work, was offered 500 week by
one Of the New York papers. Hoyt,
the famous farce maker, had siml-
lnr experience. He wrote play after
play that managers wouldn't even
read. Finally he got hearing, and
then he couldn't grind them out fast
enough. The men who had assumed
the judgment seat would have none of
aIim until he broke into the sacred pre-
cincts Of the drama In spite Of them;
then all the things they had scorned
became marketable, and he grew pros
porous and married Caroline Miskel.
A New York theatre manager has de.
clared war on the theatre hat-nOt in
the Old-fashioned method Of Issuing a
pronunciamento on the theatre pro
gramme, but by adopting a persuasive
method worthy Of imitation by his fel.
low-managers.
portion Of the great lobby Of the
Harlem Opera House has been set
aside as theatre-hat safe deposit
vault. 1t has been fitted up with tiers
Of plush-lined boxes, big enough fol-
the reception Of the most exaggerated
GainsbOrough, and fitted with locks tc
insure safety. The woman patron OF
the house will hereafter be expected
10 deposit her hat In one Of these
boxes, which will then he locked and
The key given to the owner Of the hat
When the play is over she will moi
only get back her hat. but will have
the assistance of an obliging maid
full-length mirrors, and an unlimited
number Of free hairplns In getting tn,
nat back In its proper place.
May Irwin says during a recent con
versation: II treat each houseful O
people just as l would an individual
can size up its particular kind in fiv'
minutes. Then l play to 1t according
by, for never stick to the same lin
OF work night by night. 1t Is bette
for the company; they don't get t
playing their parts like a lot of tel
pins, and then the audience likes It,"
The report comes from the West tina
Francis Wilson has revolted from hi
allegiance to the theatrical syndicat
commonly known as the Hayman
FrOhman Syndicate. The syndlcat
Includes managers and controls thea
tres in various cities. and Is forme
chiefly for booking purposes. MI
Wilson's booking was done by the syi
dictate, but he rebelled when he wa
asked to appear in certain theatres
Baltimore and Washington, while b
preferred certain others. He intend
1t is said, to be independent Of the syl
dictate. even though he will have I
keep out of all the theatres which
controls. including some Of the primo
pal ones In some Of the princip'
cities.--ROse FanchOn.
ROsR FANCHoN.