The herald., 1897-11-28

trust themselves, who control most Of
the New York theaters; a number OF
timid actors like Goodwin, Crane, Hop
per and Jefferson, who fear financial
ruin in case they declare their inde-
pendence; a chain of out of town man
ayers, who have foolishly given over
their properties to the virtual control
Of the trust, and the New York daily
newspapers, which fear the loss Of their
theatrical advertising and deadhead
privileges. BY means best known to
themselves the New York critics are
muzzled, and the only inking the public
gets of the state of affairs Is through the
weekly press. 1t is an uphill fight the
Dramatic Mirror has undertaken, for the
trust has entrenched itself firmly and
the public is only just beginning to wake
up to the true state Of affairs. Truth Is
mighty, though, and will prevail--even
If the dailies don't dare tell it--and If
the Mirror can stick it out it is bound to
win not only victory for itself and the
cause of art, but the respect and IN
fuence which a journal secures as the
reward of good fight for an honest
cause.
|
New York thcaters are just now fur
nishing strong list Of attractions and
the accounts agree in stating that the
metropolitan season promises to be n
good one financially. The big city has
such an enormous floating population
that, with the advertising methods so
we'll understood, there is no great diff
Guilty in giving any piece the semblance
Of success provided it be sufficiently
snowy, or risky or utterly foolish and
inane. Competent artists may also. Sc
cure recognition and New York runs"
may be manufactured. for a considera-
ton, thus insuring plentiful advertising
matter for use on tour. In every case
where favorable verdict has been pro-
cured in New York. no matter by what
Indirect means, 1t will be and
always is. considered high
crime and misdemeanor for any
scribbler located elsewhere to dare
to give expression to any view but that
of adulation. first, of the manager by
whose beneficence the play is sent; sec
ond, OF the company which the kind
manager has engaged; and, third, OF
the rich costumes which the same kind
manager has provided for his competent
/ company to wear. incidentally, the
commentator, or critic, If he dare so
style himself, is expected to praise the
piece for its want Of plot II it have none,
! and~oertainly to praise 1t anyhow be-
cAuBo- the philanthropic manager afore-
said has thought it worthy Of his patron
age.
stephen Tske is quoted as saying In
the Spirit Of the Times as follows:
| Charles Frohman will have one thou
sand persons in his employment next
month. He will produce 1.-The White
Heather" with two hundred people, at
the Academy; then "The Salt of the
Earth" new play by Joseph Arthur,
with forty people; then "The Circus
Girl" musical comedy, with seventy
two people.
| This Is fair sample of what may be
called theatrical arithmetic Of the kind
! In use by the festive press agent. Or
dinary people would say that the above
| enumeration made up three hundred
and twelve people, which number is
| sufficient to justify theatrical state
ment of a thousand.
4 + =
| An eastern commentator puts the
matter Of public lack OF appreciation
| pointedly when he says:
The true lovers Of dramatic art, who
| never put up money for seats, are be-
wailing the fact that such artists as
Clara Morris and Nine. Tavary have
joined the vaudeville ranks. I agree
with the lovers OF art. Miss Morris,
Nine. Tavary and the rest Of the legiti-
mate stars who have made successes
both artistically and very financially
in the vaudeville theaters should stop
this at once and go out with their own
company, and at the end Of the season
they would owe all the actors and every
printing house in America and come in
on their uppers. But, then they would
be artists. Frederick Warde went out
this season with an elaborate produc-
tion of very good play. The public
stayed away. Now, if were Mr.. Wardc
I would Immediately sign contracts with
all the vaudeville houses in America,
and he'll find himself next spring a rich
man.
Camille D'Arville's attempt at star
ring has come to grief. She would have
done better by staying with the Boston,
ians. The Mirror says: Miss D'Ar-
ville's brief tour has been a succession
of discouragements. Salaries are said
to have been in arrears and the cos
tuner took away the dresses for which
rental remained unpaid"
+ = +
Henry e. DiXey's debut as a presti-
digitatoroat the Garden theater in New
York was complete success. 1.-The new
magician combines ability dexterity, a
graceful manner and magnetic person
ality. which should at once establish him
favorite." says critic. Mr. Dixey dis
penses with the use of French accent
ordinarily consider Indispensable to
magician. G. A. DOBINSON.
The Prohibition Of Tights
The action Of the mayor and the ex-
ecutive authorities Of Reading. Pa.
taken against burlesque company.
may or may not have been warranted
by the facts in that particular case, but
the declaration by the Reading author
tiles that no entertainment in which
tights or short dresses are worn will
= fk>~, ~