The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-08-19
PLAYS AND PLAYERS.

The extinction Of Augustin DAILY $ DRAM
attic company was an inevitable conse-
Qucnce of his death. The obvious reason
was quite sufficient in the minds of those
who give close attention 10 theatrical af-
fairs, The organization hac ceased to
yield either satisfactory diversion TO its
old. time following or aGeuuate remuncra-
ton to its manager OH the artistic level
where ii had formerly pIospered. II was
by dint of assigning his actors to musical
farces and mcChauicil melodrama ana
putting aside the more dignifol plays. old
and new, that Mr.. ratv cortrircd u do
anything liHo a profitable business AZ ing
the last two or three years of his life.
This must have been sore sacrifice of
artistic pride. Mr.. DAILY was wont to date
his stage career from Leah, the For
saken," although it was merely his free
translation from the German, and to let
the record of "Under the Gaslight'' grow
dim, although that famous monoymakcr
was his original composition. 1t must
have been in sadness and desperation,
therefore, that he at length put "The
Great Ruby, or the kiss of Blood" into
the theatre of his prouder achievements,
Naturally his widow and brother did not
deem IL prudent to float a leaking ship
that had lost its master. The project of
placing Ada Rehan in charge, while il
may have seemed feasible TO outsiders
was never for moment possible. Under
these circumstances il Is fortunate that
Daly's theatre has bcan acquired EY
Charles Frohman Ills taking Of a sew
| enth theatre i'm this city Is not If itself
consequential. That manager can hard
| ly do anything to astOniSh z public ac-
| customed to his Napoeonic energy and
| ambition. The thing of special import
ance in this his latest enterprise is that
| he will place his brother in control If the
al - IN
| of proven ability 10 take Auylstin Days
| stage and restore it 20 its best estate.
| 1t has been at the LyCeum only that the
! DAILY niceties and elegances have been
| Cquallod. Other managers have hCen
| more liberal in expenditures and more
| striking I'm general results, but AuPustin
| DAILY and Daniel Frohman hive divided
| American distinction for tasteful blends
| Of dramatic art and molsh mGnner-the
wholly satisfactory transfer Of polite life
| to the stage. The obhteTatiOn of tine DAILY
! company is a matter Of sentimental re-
| gret but It began with the secession Of
| John Drew, IL proceeded with the deCth
| Of Charles Fisher and James Lewis, and
| IL was so far advanced that Ada Rchan
was all that was left of value 10 ne de-
| preciated I'm Drury Lane melodrama. The
stock company Of the Lyceum, which is
| to be transferred to Daly's, - qualified
| by general ability and special training
to occupy that stage worthiy. 10 doubt
the facilities of Charles Frohman in COM
| manding the first choice uf plays from
the world over and Of the best actors 10
| perform them. will strengthen amply
what was latterly weak IN MIR, Days
management. We may look not only
| therefore, for a continuance Of Days
theatre in name, but as well for full
revival of what it was when Il led all oul
theatres in progressive modern Stage art
New York Sun.
Henry Miller begins his third starring