The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-30
rHEIrRroh1 oonso1IDlrroM.
Dorsnaed ~ en- Actor as Beneficial &c th'
Prefenalen and 70 Art.


Prsfessien and 20 Art.
To THE EDITOR or THE SUN-Sir: So much
has been said pro and con regarding the tho
ntrical trust that I cannot resist making n few
remarks. which, II they will not develop an
intelligent view from an actors standpoint,
can still do no harm.
notice that the rank md file OF the theatrical
profession are somewhat perturbcd over the
general outlook, but as 1t presents itself to me
nm forced TO believe that the present condition
is an advantage rather than q menace to art.
maintain that art Is benefited by the condi-
tion which threatens the future of our pro-
fession.
To make myself clear I am obliged to hold up
Ms an example the methods adopted by Mr..
Charles Frohman. who 10 credited with being
the head and front Of the theatrical trust.
What does not tho actor owe to Mr. Charles
Frohman, who has raised the standard of
dramatic arti Iclaim, by reason Of tho system
adopted by Mr.. Charles Frohman. the public
have been educated to expect productions with
extraordinarily strong casts, and therefore no
tMr. Frohman) is Obliged to draw from tho rank
and flo Of tho profession tho best talent avail.
able to I'LL tho demands of the public. What
does this do for tho actori 1t not only furnishes
chance to stand upon bis own merits. with the
independent privilege OF making the most Of his
This independence alone stimulates ambition,
and is an aid to the development Of art.
Now, destroy the fountain head from which
barren for individual stars. What does that do
for artf 1t stunts advancement and clogs the
ambition. to develop. for the reason that he is
restricted. and MS talent is only used to &c,
starr. All ia aet @1si know " that where where they "su support port
q star they must necessarily exert every effort
%fElEent. otherwise a dismissal will i follow.
What does that method. do for tho actors artf
1t ephanses and crystallizes the value OF tho
is looking for DEVELOPMENT. but to procure his
salary, which, under hat system: must grow
established in public favor. Is mot that system
As time rolls on, and the star natures. he
affords no advantage to the, ambitious actor
until he retires by reason OF his death. or other
nate one. BY this means even a genius may be
STRUGGLING for recognition.
Bnt as things now exist we have a chance Of
with tho public. whereby we may gain a little Of
the favor shown to the star.
scientious efforts than mere compensation. To
should strive Tor. 70 encourage broad.minded
efforts and new productiGns is an advantage to
s oTsr f sSs cut d1 j. We h hase @oss T rioS s wasGy
to-day than thirty or oven fifteen years ago
In this system Of productions. We all admit
that the public demand value for their money.
Wherever an actor has made II hit tho producer
is forced to retain that actor in the original part
or the production suffers in consequence of
standard. and the producer becomes the develop
er OF artists; This title should be apPlied to Mr..
more productions than any other manager in
the history of the country.
IN business fnimical to art when they develop
1 know from my own experience under Mr..
fvhnrlaa rnhnnnn thu trhnrn n rrN1Nnftnn 1 a
made every actor is allowed every advantage,
and when one dominates the play by reason ofhis
and every effort is made to hold them in the cast,
no matter how the management may be In
actor has received his salary during weeks Of
sickness and their creation has been held open
Aside from personal hits. there is still another
ADVANTAGE; BY reason Of the, production do
mandinR the best talent in each department it
excites our best energies in a contest for public
u would like it known that through my OK.
development Of my art as 1 did under the prac.
tical direction of Mr.. Frohman. By reason of n
alert to bring forward my best efforts. OF be
deluged by reason of the merits Of my COL
And still another advantage is the encourage
ment received from the management. the gen.
eral courtesy and liberal treatment which OK.
cites ambition and removes fenr.
Isit an advantage to art to be employed and
made to stand in fear of your superior or the
.heh Who p"yo souf 10 IL al advantage 10 ART
to be frowned at and scowled at by youTdirector
or your star. as in former years2 Does not that
Let me ask one question. Does the world
stand stillf Are the successful actors Of tod
Waiting tins t for develo on; rs 5 ! And 19 how does sat tSls
element in the ranks Of the theatrical profession
hope to get a foothold : By reason Of elaborate
force of all their worth, and as the public be-
comes used to or more familiar with great pro-
auctions with uniformly great casts. is not the
manager compelled to hold up the standard OF
these productionsf Thus the actor is benefited
and his art advanced through the demands OF
the public. Therefore. l say. actors be content,
Mr.. Charles trohman and his associates who
employ the actors have done much to make our
hardships. less, and We should hope that they
will continue to be able to contribute to our
welfare. DoRE DAyIDsoN
AMERICAN DRAMAT1sTs' CLUB, i44o BROAD.
WAY, NEW YORK CITY. Dec. %.