The age-herald., 1898-08-21

is much greater than the publishers can offer For instance, a popular novelist not long ago stated that the fees he had di- vided with the author of dramatic yer sion of one of his novels had made him richer than all his books put together MT. J. M. Barrie, it is said, still derives from the representations of 1.-The Little Minister" in England and in America, tidy sum of $2,000 a week. These induce ments may be put down sordid consid- erations. but the fact remains that the theaters sadly in need of good plays and as the theaters can afford to pay for them the novelists continue to prove themselves wonderfully responsive.
 
 At the Haymarket Theater, London, where '"rhe Little Minister" is an estab- liShed success a novelist will succeed novelist, for the next piece at that the ater will be by Dr. Conan Doyle. Readers of Dr. Doyle's books and most notably his "Desert Drama" will realize that he pos sesses this dramatic power to wonderful degree, so that it will not be surprise to learn that he is now engaged in writing a play in which a character he has al- ready made famous in fiction-Sheriock Holmes the detective-will take the stage. It is not improbable that the character will be taken by no less popular an actor than Sir Henry Irving. Dr. Doyle's little play "A Story of Waterloo" gave line part to Sir Henry, whose impersonation of the aged. decrepit Corporal Brewster was received with enthusiasm. ir' Doyle's first contribution to the theater was a witty ingenious trif1e called For eign Policy" played for a snort seasoh' five years ago, at Terry's Theater in Lon don.
 Of Dickens it has been said that if he had not been a great writer, he would have been a great actor, because or ms intense tragic power But it is to many of ba DOtahle writers in the RO- mantle school of fiction that we look to- day for the greatest successes upon the stage Most prominent, I presume, Of all is the dramatic version of The Prfsoner of Zenda" which introduced MT. Anthony Hope to the theater. One of this popular authors most valuable possessions Is hs graceful dramatic power which carries such an air of conviction into his slm- plest incident. Yet although this eSseh- tial characteristic gives his work peculiar aptitude for dramatization. the wit or MT: Uone,s work is of a volatile kind and evaporates on the stage, so that though successful the stage presentation was ul- yided of that charm which is perennial In the novel, new comedy, by MT. Hope. called 'tThe Adventures of Lady Ursula. has already been played in America and will be produced later on in England MT. Stariey Weyman merely gave his consent to the dramatization of his novel. under the Red Robe." and, yet, although in exc
 
 man and MT. Hope are so unlike MT. Ed ward Rose who understands thoroughly matters of the stage has from under the Red Robe" constructed most popular play.
 Yet even when an author dramatiZes his own work. he is not sure of success, for it is said that MT. Gilbert Parker wrote his version of his popular novel, ''The Seats of the Mighty under the very eye of the actor who played the lead1ng part That MT. Parker should have been guilty of a breach of rules surprised his friends who knew that before he made worldwide reputation as a novelist, he wrote for the stage. With the news that Viola Allen who is such favorite on the stage, is abroad studying the scenes in view of her presentation of "Glory In i ayle." readers must naturally wonder what there can possibly be in "The Chris tian' to give it vital central elements as A production on the stage. Will it be pos sible to rid it of the impenetrable gloom that pervaded it as a piece of fiction? Admirers of MT. Howells' excellent novel "The Rise of Silas Lapham" may have an | opportunity to view 1t on the stage next | season. MT. Paul Hester is now at work with MT. Howells on its dramatization to l be presented by a well known and popu- | lar actor.
 One of the latest rumors about the decentralization of novels is that Mrs. Min | nie Maddern Fiske will appear in stage version of Thackeray's masterpiece to be 1 called Becky Sharpe"