The times., 1898-02-13
JIMMIE BARROWs' BIC FIND
Will Bring Edward Mackay 10
Washington Next Summer.
RIVALS HIS BROTHER CHARLES
Other Interesting Gossip in New
York Theatrical Circles-Specu-
Iation as to the Theme OF Henry
MilIel's New Play. h. Hackett
and the Matinee Girls.

| New York. Feb. 12-New York is
| still waiting for its next sensational
| play If it does not get a new one
about once in two weeks-preferabiy
| once a week-it feels that it has been
| cheated. This week three new plays
were put on for their first metropolitan
| productions, but each failed to score as
tine latest prurient play. Farce conc
| dy. pumpkin pie comedy and tragedy
was the order of the week. The only
| solace held out for the future is found
| in the announcement that Henry Mil
| Ter, late of "Heartsease," has dropped
that play, and will produce Monday,
under the direction of Charles Froh-
man. at the Garden Theater, a new
play by Stuart ogilvie, entitled The
Master which bids fair to make
something of a sensation.
The press agent of the Frohman pro-
ductions, Mr.. Alf Hayman, who usu-
ally omits about two-thirds OF what
dramatic critics want TO know about
a new production, in this case has en-
tirely declined to furnish one iota of
information regarding the new play.
He says that THE Master" is prob
lem play and one that presents
theme that has not been used more
than half a million times since the
DAYS of Adam. As Paul Potter says,
the average problem play is confined
to the use of one out of seven or eight
primitive situations which the drama
fist cannot decline to use if he wants
to score a success. Just which one
of these ''seven or eight primitive
situations is taken as the foundation
of The Master" Mr.. Hayman de-
clines to divulge.
1t isn't necessary for him to do so,
however, 10 gain an idea of the play.
This little remark which Paul Potter
let fall gives away the secret of
all the Frohman productions. Mr.
Frohman likes problem plays and
each new production must utilize
one of these primitive ideas enun-
ciated by Paul Potter, who is the
managers right hand dramatic man.
AS Mr.. Frohman has used up about
all OF the primitive situations where
love for a woman conquers a mans
bestial instincts, we must suppose that
in this play the sexes are reversed, and
q man conquerS a woman, la Tam
ing the Shrew" AT least that is the
forecast made me by Frohman actor
on Broadway, and though don't youch
for its truth, / am led to admit that
certainly the reasoning is ingenious,
and shows a thorough appreciation of
Mr.. Frohman's methods, which are
methodical in spite of what his detrac-
tors may say.
Meanwhile New York is getting ready
to receive a production with a fairer
name and simpler theme-"One Sum-
mer's Day"-which will be presented
the same evening by Mr.. John Drew
and his company, headed by Isabel
Irving and Elsie de Wolf. Miss de
Wolf becomes Mr.. Drew's leading lady
in this production, playing the role of
a gypsy girl. with whom he is in love.
Miss Isabel Irving has a part opposite
to Mr.. Drew. while James o. Barrows,
of summer stock memories, contributes
the humor. The play has been tried
in Boston, and WILL if it proves a sue
cess, run until the end of the season
at Wallach's Theater.
Speaking: of James Q. Barrows re-
calls to mind a story he told me in the
Mirror Cafe the other day regarding
his plans for next summer in Washing