The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-22
NOTES OF THE THEATRE.
THE DIFFICULTY or ERITITe A
GOOD SOCIETY PLAY NOW,

changes In the Kind Of plays IL demands are Say
Ing now that the society play is the style OF
irama which WILSON be in demand. There have
been since the successful series written by
Belasco and Dc Mile few pieces that corre-
spond to the American idea Of q society play.
Possibly Bronson Towards "Aristocracy" is
the latest specimen Of that school from the pen
OF q native dramatist. "Pique," Divorce"
"Tho Bankers Daughter" and n whole series
Of French adaptations supplied whatever de-
mand existed formerly for these dramas. The
native writer's who were last successful In that
field were the authors Of that long Lyceum
series which included "The wife." ''rhe Charity
Ball." and Men and Women" Since that
time the native society drama Of serious inter
est has not existed. Martha Morton and Mrs.
Ryley have contributed their farccs Of con-
temporary life to tho stage. but they are not.
In the opinions of experts, acceptable substi-
tutes for the older society. plays. Dramas of
polite humor that some OF, the pieces men.
toned used TO contain are what the managers
As a matter er' 81 iSta UdI dramas sSt Of shi R.1 lind arc
w were. The as st %SsS Of T Paris sn se ssT ssIi q Is a shoS s Ss~
Ptnero and Jones are not society plays In thslr
highest s sense, y would DO difficult to olassify
scSspt The dramas e French Hfe which are
Oscar Wilde's plays were dramas OF society, and
fSs older az .f Fqens sEe PIECES eos:p sSioh f nnS RF sssir ss y
i insn E sansh, SSnld a; s9m nSa,r, Ms. DO t twisted ed, into q
not be Ud% dome With "i such bur examples nlG; sue Of tn uont ean.
boSiOuEegse.s sad %Hmants:, Ensiisii speci:
The II % NJ sqS sUSiess ""f.ssnhs es sene 1t aet Of tn e1 pou MSr"
and "John.a.Dreams." Yet they were ali plays
Possibly It is the Limitations imposed on
American authors which make the writing Of
ter. The number Of subjects to be treated Is
more restricted than any enumeration Of the
PPis%sSss 'm %ass b ever siided iu g msfc th seS SIa1
ACCEPTABLE. Anything like the seduction of 9
" VIE " out sS Of s the SS%SssstStS sa. ,s The m enlargement e .osps
time and time again. and L t' IS d %aSH II 4 i' Tie
theme could be attractiyelly treated again. With
when it comes to an American society play.
the supply seems likely TO DO delayed in arriv.
Ing. Business as q real factor In American
and in very few, cases has It ever been an efeo.
tive dramatic element. The American drama.
American llfS TaG s %eH J Sas fnd 4 ser a nssr1 P1sy yan SDeo ~
subjects to treat. For that reason managers
T ShS are Sr't frequently sW asking for plays ,H,,o Of that kind n
must not doare almost as numerous rs the posi-
BILE situations.
During the year 1896 there were 910 per
formances Of Shakespeare plays in Germany
and twenty-three dramas were represented.
Nearly all of the history plays, including the
first two parts Of Henry vi" and 'Timon Of
Athens" were among The acted plays. 'Othello,"
with 1875 performances, was the most popular
play. In Berlin last winter there were 1915
performances of shakespeare's plays. Sixteen
Of the dramas were given. 1t 10 said that dur.
inR tho last thirty years seven plays Of Shakes
pearo have been acted in Germany to ono in
England; The fact that Forbes Robertson has
in London and made tho venture profitable is
looked upon as exceptional there. although he
London actors and the drama was very elabo-
r nasssn. produced ROD ;o..n! sseFs oon%.n Tree win soon o.,
Julius Cesar" and he win act Marx ANTONY.
Robertson who nronoses r. remain an go.
mo""asU s,r VIZ p 10y do, 10 20 t,;n ss.ea-
Sir Henry Irving in "Peter the Great or Beer
bohm Tree in Julius Cesar"
some time, win shortly return to the stage in
IN mSs""Shi II ~ In y ~ ae tn and H. scsne tI iHiS ~
Paris at tho time Of The CO con@u sns.' Il Il Is \ svi.
Rs slv T SS,sd several years ago In Ensiish at
Louis n. Pstker'a play. The Happy Life,
Parker has said that the tSeme Of Inc NAV &as
afAor = o@t% ~ rn@ NY 'uono - Ivy piay ~
SIgSesfea o bhaanI * d casual c2hversauo4
the drawe Ia The son Of an tma3c.n mSilionSi "a
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