The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-14
PLAYS AND PLAYERS.


The truth of all that has been pub-
liShcd about the retirement of Otis Iiar-
IAN from the management of Hoyt and
Mchec is simply that NJ. Harlan is am
bilious l" play new part in George Il.
Sims MY Innocent Boy that Mr.. Hoyt
IS TOO busy completing several new plays
to associate himself with the enterprise
and thai the playwright has the best of
good wishes for both Mr. Harlan and
Mr.. Mckee in their combination. Mr..
Hoyt says he feels sure that his partner
can easily look after the interests of Mr..
Harlan without negleCting those of Hoyt
and Mckee. Mr.. Harlan's first appear
ance in the new comedy will take place
ut one Of the several theaters in New
Hork managed by Charles Frohman.
Eugene Blair is to be seen shortly on
tour il "A Lady OF Quality" under the
direction of W. NJ. Wilkinson The
name of Miss Arthur has only heretofore
been mentioned in connection with the
play. and the fact that Miss Blair is now
to be seen in it, adds another chapter to
the interesting combination Of events
that have figured in connection with the
play and Miss Arthur since the opening
of the actress engagement at Wallack S
several weeks since. 1t was generally
understood that Miss Arthur had the en-
tire rights to the play which has been
one of the most successful productions
seen here in many seasons. Such, how
ever, is evidently not the case. Last
week at Manager Wilkinson's office in
the KnickerbOCker thcater building 4
contract was drawn between II. Henry
French. representing the authors, Mrs.
Frances Hodgson Burnett and Steuben
Townsend, and Miss Blair and Manager
Wilkinson, whereby the latter were en-
n.1.a in,
tory except that in which Miss Arthur
is booked for the balance Of the pres
ent season. Eugene Blair Is one of the
most beautiful and talented actresses we
have. Her work heretofore has been
even on higher plane than that OF
Clorinda Wildairs in Mrs. Burnetts play,
and she has had the advantage of Il
schooling that few of our younger act
resseS can boast of, She has been sub
starred with many of our foremost trag-
edians and has starred alone in the
standard classics and emotional plays,
The announcement of her appearance i'm
"A Lady of Quality" is an interesting
one. Manager Wilkinson will give to the
play an elaborate mounting, as near as
possible like that seen at Wallacks the
atre.
The controversy between Hall Caine
and Wilson Barrett over the English
rights to the former play, the CnrlS-
tian," now being presented by Miss Viola
Allen at the Garden theater i'm New Yo,lS
has led to no end of gossip and comment.
A Now York newspaper a few days
ago, printed what was claimed to he the
statement of an English manager to the
effect that MI Barrett. and not Mr..
Caine had actually written the dramatic
version Of the novel which Miss Allen
is now playing. and is therefore, entitled
to one-half the royalties now paid Mr..
Game by Liebler & Co., Miss Allen 5
managers. for the American rights of
this play. Miss Aliens managers are au-
thority for the positive statement that
Mr.. Caine did write Miss Aliens play.
The version which Mr., Barrett rendered
to Williams n Musgrave in Australia,
which they refused to present because
II was but "a series of Incidents" was
MIR. Barrett's own, ana not Mr. Caine' :,
and was made by him in Australia. Mr..
Barretts first communication to Mr.,
Caine i'm reference to "The Christian
was by cable from Australia. There
fore. Mr.. Caine could not have made the
version which Mr.. Barrett devised to ex-
plot there. Not only did Mr.. Caine writ q
the play, but he practically staged II, SUI
pervising every detail of the rehearsals
and offering suggestions which evidenced
the possession by him Of most intimate
knowledge Of the technique of the stage.