The times., 1899-06-11
THE death OF DAILY
DISFURBS new YORK
Uncertainty Regarding His
Dramatic Interests There.
Ada Rehan viii Likely Retire From
the Stage Permanently.
Gotham Discussion Regarding the
Productions of Next Senson-Mrs.
Fisl<e's Plans for the Year.

post discussion regarding the fisteuff tri-
unph on Coney Island, for everybody in
the theatrical business from the Froh-
mans-down or up as the case may be
considered-is Indirectly interested in 'the
manly art" The other, and chief among
thinking professionals is the death of Au-
gustin DAILY. Here in New York We real
ize more truly than you in other cities the
significance of his taking on and the Sc
quence thereof. What we are all asking
ourselves just now is, What will become
Of Daly's theatre?' and. What will Ada
Rehan do. now?' And to tell the exact
truth. each question is unanswered and
likely will SO remain until Mrs Daily
reaches America, and Miss Rehan consults
with few Of her friends about her future.
Seriously, the death OF Mr.. Daily leaves
theatrical affairs in New York In a very
chaotic state Already people are begin
ming to gossip regarding the disposal Of
his paiace-like theatre. and In the ninds
Of several 1t has been knocked down to
dozen different Purchasers by this time.
II Is understood that the Fruhmans have
longing eye cast upon this valuable bit
Of property. but they viii have 70 'rork
pretty hard TO get H. As the nations OF
the world seek TO prevent one another from
possessing too much territory. so The the
atrical masters see In the Frobman AZ
gression dangers to be speedily thWarted-
Someone Is authority for the statement
that the Broadhurst Brothers are bidders
for the theatre, and will run Il in eonnec-
ton with their Strand Theatre. In London
Others claim that the Lsibler Company viii
purchase IL and hll IL permanently with
their own bookings. Privately. I think no
one knows anything about the disposal of
the property.
In the first place. not one person In a
thousand has a most remote idea OF the
value OF the place. While It is palatial to
look at. not fraction OF its wealth IS vis-
ible. When piece OF property on Days
stage is supposed to be genuine ii is the
real thing. He has more valuable cut
glass stored away in his property rooms
than are contained in half the queensware
stores in the metropolis. When an ink
stand was supposed to be solid silver, it
was virgin metal This was the case when.
DAILY was rich and when he was poor It
has always been a mystery where DAILY re-
ceived his backing for he never wanted for
money, even when hts fortunes were at
their lowest ebb. A few chosen friends
claim the Goulds were behind him in his
enterprises, and this theory is probably
correct, as a strong friendship always ex-
listed between the families.
Two notable examples of actresses made
and not born are those of Ada Rehan and
Mrs Leslie Carter. AS surely as David
Belasco is responsible for Mrs. Carriers
success, so is Daily accountable for Ada
Rehan's prominence. Only those who re-
call her crude performances when she first
appeared in New York and have recently
seen her in some of her dramatic triumphs
can thoroughly appreciate the labor or
Mr. DAILY What the woman will do now
that her directing and guiding spirit is no
more is simply conjectural. The plans
for the coming season are all held up,
although Richard Dorney announces that
THE Greek Slave" will be produced, as
previously announced. However, neither
Mr.. Dorney nor Mr.. Duff nor any Of the
others supposed to be close to Mr.. DAILY
really understands his plans. He was a
remarkably reticent man, and his employees
merely did what he told them to do, with
out cavil or question.
DAILY worked from the minute he rose in
in the morning until the last second
before he retired at night, thinking,
devising, planning something new for
the amusement-loving public. He was
bundle of energy, always at work
and expecting his people to devote all their
efforts TO his success also. Some OF his
ladies and gentlemen he never
called his people even Of the chorus. boys
and girls-hated him thoroughly and con-
sistently, yet he never failed to recognize
merit and reward it. The hope Of theatri-
cal New York Is that some hand Of steel
can grasp the sceptre death has released
and with it build anew the colossal busi-
ness. Without doubt Ada Rehan will take
this appropriate opportunity to retire from
the stage permanently, though a woman's
Will is the winds will and she may con-
clude to steer her own career hereafter
Whether she can do II successfully or not
remains to be seen.
Minnie Maddern Fiske as the world in
sists upon calling her. despite the simple
prefix mistress, has betaken herself TO the
Adirondacks and undertaken the study OF
her much talkedabout play. Becky
Sharp" made from Thackeray's Vanity
Fair" Much is anticipated for this pro-
duction. as Mrs. Fiske's past season has
not been as satisfactory as 1t might have
been from a thoroughly critical stand
point, only her Little Italy creating the
sensation artistically her previous career
OF triumphs had warranted. Becky
Sharp" will be produced in the Fifth Ave
nue. Theatre some time in September, and
will enjoy run, after visiting the leading
cities of the country. When it reaches
Washington it will likely be placed in the
Lafayette Theatre. it being understood
here that that house will now do indie
pendent booking of attractions outside the
so-called syndicate. Mrs Fiske is a thor
ough student, and her production OF the
dramatiZation OF Thackeray's masterpiece
will at least be notable.
Thirty speaking characters will be en-
ployed and it is announced that no ex-
pense will be spared in making the COM
pany the best ever seen. Particular at
tention will be paid to the costuming
of the play in the manner of the time rep
resented, something which is too frequent
ly neglected in present day enterprises.
Maurice Barrymore has been engaged to
play the part of Rawdon Crawley for
which his strong personality is well suit
ed Other good and well-knOwn people
are being secured. Becky Sharp" ought
to reach Washington sometime in Decem-
ber or in January unless the success in
New York is SO great that the run will
extend beyond the time at present sched-
uled
"All Jewels Look Alike to Me-" is the
song of several experts summoned to de-
eide upon the value of the precious stones
formerly worn by Fanny Davenport, and
this week purchased by her successor,
Blanche Walsh. Some OF the experts claim
the jewels are valued at 100000. while
others say they are not worth $4,000.
Thre is considerable litigation regarding
this purchase. and Miss Walsh will yet
have some difficulty in securing possession.
This young woman has made one of the
real sensations OF the dramatic season in
Davenports old plays. and will be seen
alone in a strong tragic role next year IL
plans go through. She deserves everything
possible. for not score of years ago she
was a little saucy snip down on the Bow