The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-22

With Henry Emery, a Travelled and expe-
rienced manager of quick intelligence and
~aarked powers of observation, we dis
~ussed tho present condition and prospects
OF the drama. not merely from an artistic
point of view, but also from the manager S
way of looking at things, which, 1t is need
less to say, Is necessarily a commercial
one. In Mr. Emery's opinion. great reyo-
luton is about taking place in the theat-i-
cal world and tho combination system
which has prevailed for twenty years and
upwards appeared to be doomed. 1t Is dy-
ing because it has outlived its money max
ing power. The public has been cajoled,
fattered and pleased, until at last it has
just simply got tired. The theater can be
made as attractive as ever, but a new
way must be found of 'dishing up" the bill
of fare. The fact that managers of east
ern attractions sent upon the road have
seldom If ever kept their promises has long
been realized, but has never cut much fig
ure. People were bound to go and see for
themselves and satisfy their curiosity even
if they exercised their privilege Of grum-
bling afterwards. AS long as the public
went to see the plays sent out and paid
their money the managers had nothing 10
complain of, and paid no heed to the signs
OF the times.
But the evil day drew near, and now Is
when the theater-going public Is simply
weary of an everlasting succession of draw
ing room dramas and farce-comedy concoc-
tons which form the staple of the travelling
entertainers. Each piece is so like the
other of it's order that what pleased at
first has grown stale and distasteful, even
as If one should try to sustain life on an
exclusive diet of jam tarts.
One thing is sure. and that is that it is
not hard times and consequent lack of
money that keep people away from the
theater. That this Is fact may be proved
at any time when an attraction CONES
along bringing some unusual features, 10
matter what they may be- whether the di-
vine voice of Melba, or the lascivious
capcrings of an Anna Held the peo-
pie will turn out in force and pay whatever
price may be asked so that they may ex-
perience the novelty OF fresh sensation.
My interlocutor remarked with a certain
caustic emphasis, rejecting perhaps on the
intolerance of the city fathers, that more
money was spent every day on the gam
bling devices known as nickel-in-the-slot
machines which are in operation on the
open street in this city than is spent in the
same time at all the local theaters COM
bined. The indications all point to the per-
manent rehabilitation of the stock COM
pany system. If this outlook should be
realized, then the palmy days of the drama
may possibly be restored, not exactly in the
old way, but in a manner yet more at
tvactive.
According to the New York Dramatic
Mirror:
There are today in prosperous operation
new stock companies in New York, Chit
cago. Boston, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, St.
Louis, Cincinnati, Denver, Columbus, De-
troit Louisville. San Francisco, Syracuse,
Rochester, Pittsburg, Quebec. Montreal,
Toronto, Los Angeles, Baltimore, Wash
ington. Omaha. Jersey City and othar
places, while the number of travelling stock
companies that compare favorably with
residen. organizations is steadily increas-
ing"
And right here in Los Angeles said Mr.
Emery. you are to see the strongest indica-
ton of the change that is coming about, in
an instance that thus far Is unique
In American theatrical annals in
my recollection. 1 refer to the en-
gagement made by Madame Mod
jeska to play as a star with a resident
stock company in your Burbank theater. in
repertory
What the final outcome of these changes
that arc taking place will be no one can say
at the present time. But that the stock
company system is going to take the lead
there can be no longer any doubt.
Referring To the mention of Nine. Nodes
ka in the foregoing, the great actress many
admirers in Southern California will be glad
to learn that her health appears to be per-
fectly restored. Manager John c. Fisher,
who had AT interview with her at her ranch
near Orange. at which she is now staying,
says that he has never seen Modjeska look
Ing better. either in health or spirits. The
reclamation which greeted her on her re-
cent visit and engagement In New York
has acted as a fine tonic. Years ago Mod
jeska babe goodbye to New York forever
1t being the only big city that had shown
itself unappreciative of her talent. Lately
she resolved to give the people there one
more opportunity to listen to her, and the
result surpassed the most sanguine expec-
tations. The public that was before semi
Indifferent, now proved itself composed Of
ardent and loyal admirers; enthusiasm
went up TO the boiling point, and applause
was given without stint. II the seal of
great NEW IOth EuCCSSo WSic uccucu " tuc
roll of honors that have been accorded to
Modieska's genius in every place which
she has Illuminated with her splendid
talents. she surely may now feel well salts
fled with the unanimous and warm en-
comiums that have been heaped upon the
performances given on her recent tour.
Modjeska's engagement at the Burbank,
which begins June 18th, will naturally be
marked by the raising or prices, at that
house to the level which obtains at the
"Erst-ciass' theatcrs. The repertory In
-ludes "Adricune I4ccouvreur,' "Mary
Stuart" 'Magda" and Camille" regret
to see that Macbeth" is not included as
consider Lady Macbeth to be one of the very
Eues: of the grce. tragcdienne's creations.
Perhaps I! may be given later.
The stock company at the Burbank.
which comprises many excellent and some
very experienced artists, as may be seen on
any night Of the week, will support Mod
jeslra. and will be reinforced by few ad-
ditIors OF prominence.
o O o
Annie Russells recent experimental ven
lure In a meodraniatic role has excited no
vmall amount Of comment, sarcastic and
otherwise, among the critics. Miss Rus