The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-28

VIII De pleasant revelation to
the many friends of T. Daniel
Frawley to know that to that
quiet. unassuming gentleman is
due the credit Of bringing about a
renaissance in one of the important
branches OF dramatic art.
Half a generation ago every city Of
consequence in this country had its one
or more brilliant and successful stock
companies, through the medium of
which the public were afforded oppor-
tunities to enjoy the talents of the
greatest stars of the day. The system,
however, gradually went into decay,
and was finally relegated to the realm
or memory by the aggressive and cap
tiyating travelling organization. Less
than three years ago the decline of the
popularity OF the stock companies had
reached such q stage that there were
no organizations of the kind playing
in repertoire at first-class prices. and
the system was supposed to be dead.
In 1894 in this city the idea was con-
ceiyed of trying an experiment on the
public by organizing and conducting
stock company on the old lines. Messrs.
Frawley and Friedlander, Gottlob &
Co. had the courage of their convictions
and the enterprise was launched. 1t
met with popular favor. Capable peo-
pie were engaged, budding genius was
encouraged and introduced TO the world
dramatic. The best of the old and the
new plays in comedy and drama were
presented in the most excellent style,
thus giving the people a highly appre-
ciated variety. The enterprise pros
pered. The performances were COM
pared with the work of the best travel
ing organizations and not infrequently
the comparison proved the genuine
merit of the home company. San Fran
ciscans became proud of the Fraw-
ley company and enamored of the
many sterling actors and actresses it
introduced to them. Its success and
tame gradually spread throughout the
w est and East until the force of ex-
ample had its effect
At that time there were stock COM
panies in New York, such as Dan
t'Fohman's Lyceum aggregation, but
they were organized to present one
play TO be run to a finish, which often
meant year or more, and when a new
attraction was to be presented a new
set. of people was selected TO play It.
Eastern managers were convinced that
the successful conduct of a stock COM
-;:panyc presenting new bill each week
at the top prices was practically i'm
possible. But Mr.. Frawley's triumph
ant. progress along those old lines
brought change over the spirit OF
their theories, until now the revival of
the system is an established fact, and
strange TO say it appears thus far to
have resulted in no material diminu-
ton of the business of the standard
combinations.
The transformation has been q marked
one. During the past season in the
United States there were in existence
for the whole or part thereof fifty or
CARNATIONS styling themselves stock
companies and conducted under the old
system. The majority of them played
TO popular prices, and not few met
with most signal success, the public
taking to the change quite readily. This
was the case in Boston, Philadelphia,
Baltimore, Cincinnati, st. Louis, Kan
sas City and Los Angeles, while in
Chicago four houses were engaged in
the renaissance during q part of the
season at least.
AS an Indication of the high stand
ing of the Frawley Company in the
effete East it may be stated that he has
more offers of first-class bookings than
= he can accept.
:: The company at the close of its sue
cessful season here will play the coast
and then work eastward into the field
that has so long been regarded as the
private preserve of the promoters of
travelling combinations.
Here's hoping you may return to US
crowned with the laurels of victory,
Mr.. Frawley.
NEnpTJMEP WnOn