The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-04-26
Frohman. Before Sailing,
Gave a HAT as so the scope Of His
Venture Across the Water.
CHEAP SHOWS LEFT BEHIND
COUNTRY MANAGERS NOT IN THE
TRUST TO BE FROZEN OUT.
Competition VIII Give indianapolis
the Best Going Next Season-Hesty
Green's son an Angel


Special 20 the indianapolis Journal
NEW YORK, April 25.-Encouraged by
its immense success thus far I'm the United
States the American Theatrical Syndicate,
the most influential theatrical combine ever
organized in this any other country. en-
bracing, as il does, the sole control of
hfty-three main theaters in leading cities,
in addition To numerous small theaters al
hliated with the syndicate kings, will in
wade London next month. Unless some
thing occurs TO check the speed of the die
tatorial theatrical managers who organized
the syndicate Americans will soon have a
footing in London that Will cause a repeti-
ton there Of the howl which has gone up
from the barred-out managers in this coun-
try. The original i6ea of the syndicate
was in the nature of benefit TO the theat-
rical business. but il is the abuse of the
power of the combine that has aroused the
fight against it.
1t is not at all unlikely that this move
on London will be all the more objectiona-
bic to American theater goers. as it Will
limit the American tours Of the leading dra-
matte organizations and deny larger por-
ton of tine population from an opportunity
of behoding the pretentious shows. First
class attractions have been rare enough in
the season now closing, and they VIII like
ly become rarer in the seasons TO come IL
the London project turn out successfully.
Cities where there is active competition
between the syndicate and the anti-syndi-
cate managers may get everything going
for time until the opposition has been
driven TO the wall or forced 10 join the
syndicate, and then such cities will get the
cold shoulder with the rest
There will be an interesting fight a. In
dianapolis and a few other cities the COM
ing season. In the Hoosier capital one the
atrical firm has had control Tor "A number
of years, but, with syndicate management
for English's Opera House, all the great
attractions are TO be booked for that the
ater to enable the syndicate TO make a
showing against the opposition.
Charles Frohman, while not an ayowed
partner in the syndicate, is closely allied
with il, and his enormous profits with his
numerous attractions the past few years
has enabled him to make a deal with the
management OF the Adelphi, in London. and
he is the man who will make the initial
move on London. Before sailing last week
with his assistant manager, Charles Dill
lingham, 10 arrange for the production or
Gilette's Secret Service" Frohman said:
Il intend to secure a theater OF my own
in London, and this Will enable me to ex-
tend the engagements of the American
players L am going TO take over Among
these L may mention John Drew, II A.
Sothern, Maud Adams. Nat Goodwin, Wen
ry Miller, the Bostonians ana DE NolI
Hopper, all of whom L feel confident viii
succeed i'm London If properly presented.
when i have a theater in London these
stars can visit England every season. Until
quite recently IL was most difficult TO secure
a theater in London for American plays.
American COMPANY presents Secret Service
at the Adelphi, London, on May l0 the
English management Will not only particl-
pate in the pronts or losses or the ~ venture;
the ocean transportation. And when Never
Again and Too Much Johnson are pro.
duced in London the English management
will also take a sharing risk with me.
Among other home products that pro-
pose to arrange for in London, Is new
drama and comedy by Martha Morton;
David Belasco's Heart OF Maryland with
the entire American cast TO be presented
next season; production OF LORD chum.
lev the farce, Gambols, recently launched
successfully at the Irving-place Theater,
and which L shall do here in English next
autumn. L expect also 10 arrange an oReh. pen.
Serenaders.'
Il have a new deal with English authors,
by the way" added Mr.. Frohman, which
NOT only includes the producing OF their
plays in New York. but i'm their own coun-
try as well. The only English attraction
is George Alexander and his ST. James's
Theater Company, in which theater john
Drew will play while Alexander Is here
After duly considering these observations
and placing them side by side with the facts
OF the 900 Ffohman profits last season,
of the successive triumphs OF the great
Americ~n syndicate of the poverty OF Offer
ings H. leading American cities during this
season and the unlikelihood OF the new
deal giving as much as IL takes. IL seems
becoming 10 ask, what is the country 10 dor
Next season We are not TO have Trying,
Bernhardt, Duse, Nethersole or Hare
George Alexander. who is an unknown
quantity here and willard are about the
only important importations. There VIII be
fewer stars with the American trade mark.
the Hollands. Georgia Cayvan, Msurice
Barrymore and the terrible billiard rave
been cast back; the comic opera lists VIII
have succeeded well enough TO make the
tristan scheme promising Tor a season; the
Whitney Opera Company Is on its last legs;
the Irish Opera Company Will not live. and
there are no newcomers on the horizon.
Vaudeville continues Unsuitable. and those
who fall into its yawning vortex cease 10
live in the first ranks OF the possibles-
And yet the great American syndicate
desires TO reach OUT A London season Tor
an American organization means from six
to ten weeks TO be profitable. two weeks OF
which Is a dead loss TO everybody but tbs
steamship companies. The season of forty
weeks at hoLNe may be extended, but not
enough to compensate for the loss to Amer
lean theater goers. The three years exis-
tence of the syndicate has taught those
who further IL the best course To pursue in
the matter of booking. and with satlsfac-
tory plays the various organiZa tons have
profitable tours. These tours embrace the
leading cities, and At best give short sea-
sons in each. With London theater,
which perhaps would be as eager for Amer
teas test are the American cities. the
curtailed. With London seasons for John
Drew Maud Adams. +. IL. Sothern Nat
Goodwin. De Wolf Hopper, the .ostonitas.
Henry Miller and such others as may come
into the syndicate before next fall like Mrs
Fiske, Francis Wilson. James y. Herne ard
Richard Mansfield. American fhea:Srs are
bound TO suffer, even II the syndicate
doesn't.