The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-22
THE PASSING SHOW.

In no business recognized by the COM
mercial world can failure be so rapid so
complete, and SO disastrous as with mod
ern theatrical ventures. If merchant
buys the stock OF his rival and fails to
sell it as quickly as might be wished. at
least he has left great part OF the orig
inal purchase which generally may be
counted upon to discharge his liabilities; a
careless speculation bears with the real
ization of worthlesSness an understanding
that the future may bring value to the
property, and even the exchange gambler
knows that time and manipulation may be
relied upon before he can be assured eth
er of winning or losing. But the average
manager risks his all upon something less
than the turning of die. He hazards in
the stake some thousands of dollars, and
then awaits the result. In case his play
does not please a first-night audience
there is every possibility of defeat before
him. and defeat in stage matters means
the possession of scenery. costumes. prop
critics, printing and manuscripts that are
not worth n single cent on the dollar TO
anyone but their original proprietor.
The condemnatory verdict that Mr..
Herne's latest work, THE Rev. Griffith
Davenport" earned last week at the La
fayette may hardly be considered as final
yet. In common with Charles Hpyt, Z. e.
Rice and other producers of note, the au-
thor of Shore Acres has the habit of
wrestling success out OF nothing and there
by surprising everyone concerned except
ing himself. Even the masterpiece men,
toned was not counted meritorious in al
unusual degree when it was first present
ed and weeks of dickering altering and
improving were required before the wise
acres who sat in judgment could find any
thing about the piece to deserve unstinted
Communication So 1t is possible that a
keen knowledge of dramatic construction,
wonderful ability as a stage director. and a
fertile imagination may enable Mir. lIerne
to accomplish so much with The Rev
Griffith Davenport" that in the near flu
ture we shall wonder at its success while
the spectators before whom it is being
offered elsewhere will marvel that Wash
ingtonians could see little that was praise
worthy about the vehicle. Ali this may
come to pass and both factions still have
reason for their mutual surprise. For GER
tainly the drama as it was done on last
Monday evening contained almost nothlas
that could be counted upon TO please the
judcially inclined.
And. while it is candidly possible that
the adaptation of AN Unofficial Patriot"
may yet be made enjoyable, there seems
TO be little probability of such change.
lhe writer sat among score or more OF
professional reviewers on the first night
at the Lafayette and heard very few things
said in favor of the presentation The au-
dienCe applauded hysterically-the audi
erccs at initial performances always do
but with so little regard for the reason of
their enthusiasm that the auhOr-acto
himself was constrained to answer repeat
ed calls for speech" with the request
that his friends wait until something had
been done to merit their admiration. On
the day following the premiere no one was
heard TO praise the Offering with any del e
of warmth. Some of the newspapers most
noted for the manner in which they COM
bine press notices with criticisms remark
ed that the trial was satisfactory or that
much might be expected from the work
bat even these summaries were half
hearted. The earnest and unreseryed com
incubation that had been meted out to
The Christian" and to ''Zaza' was in this
case most conspicuous By reason OF its
absence.
Accordingly, if one may abandon the
position OF prophet for that of critic.
The Rev. Griffith Davenport may b.
said to give promise of little and to b. in
its present form n certain failure. And
the miscarriage OF Mr.. Herne's hopes and
plans and ambitions is one of the most
deplorable affairs the season kas brought