The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-05-04

tsrs discussed at the last meeting Of the
directors OF that theatre;
Portland May 2.
TO the Editor Of The Press:
In the past few years most radical
change has taken place in the theatrlci u
situation OF this country. A powerful
syndicate has sprung into existence, en-
bracing not only men of brains and mon
ey, but also the only producers OF high
class productions in America-and the
two or thtca managers that do produce
outside of them, when same goes on the
road, must make terms with the Syndi-
cate or time is not open for them in
houses and cities where said productions
can win out. The forming of this syndi-
cate is only following the order of the
mercantile world, as it Is truly the day
of trusts from chewing gum to lncomo-
.ives Now the puoic will say all we'll
and good, forming said syndicate to give
nigh class plays and productions, why
don't they Go it then?
The answer to this question can all be
answered IN one sentences. The ONES who
write the high class plays won't work. as
they don't have to. One big success like
"1he Christian "Zaza, "Littls Min
lister" "why She Loved Him So are
good for one years run in New York
alone. and alter same is over six cities
will take the next two years of their
time. What chance does Portland stand
TO get ere night? None. In an inter-
Y ew last week with Charles Frohman,
the worlu's greatest producer this same
vital question which is causing this tnr-
MOL IN the directory of your beautiful
theatr, was asked him, and his answer
was: 81 am ready to sign check for
large amount any day If Bronson How
ard, David Ballasco, W. Gillette OF Hall
Cane will only write me play. Why l
have to beg them to write me anything l
get Money Is no inducement.'
Now comes the principal reason why
Manager Fay can't give Portland 40
weeks OF high class plays and produc--
tions. The syndicate have sixty houses of
their own. whose time they must I'LL,
ana 80 of them in cities of PortlaDd's size
can't get said companies, as fLtladelphia.
New York, Boston, P.ttsburg and Chi
cago, take most of the time of the limited
mum Der of said attractions and 20 Will
cover the total numher. There is but one
high class attraction today not under con-
tiol of the syndicate. And when from 80
TO Al syndicate houses are crying for these
attractions and can't get them, | am sure
the publ of Portland should not insist
on Manager Fay doing an impossibility.
Houses that formerly made fortune
each year now roll up big loss each sea-
son. -Four of Boston's principal houses
have not seen profit in years, can't get
the L tt .actious.
Seasons are growing shorter each year,
formerly 40 weeks, now 80 is the limiI
and better If less Houses of the Jeffer-
son class in cities of larger population
and on direct line of railroad from New
York to Boston nan ely, Worcester,
Springfield Hartford. New Haven and
bridgeport, can't fill their time and all
play repertoire to 20 and 80 cent COM
psnies during the season, and are more
H.. .I.x.l N@ru hOu IN
houses must resort to 10, 20 and 10 cent
in order to keep open and pay
their rent, surely Manager Fay is not to
be censured TOR doing the same.
Let the ones who insist on Maud
Adams, NAT Goodwin, The Christian and
Richard Mansfield. also Iaza rent your
beautiful house and see If they can get,
and do, the impossible. / am sure a short
time and decreasing bank roll will soon
convince them that a good clean 10, 20
and 80 cent company playing to the ca
pscity of the house of 20 per cent women
and children. who are enjoying good
clean play or opera, ami at the end OF the
week a comfortable balance on the
right side of the ledger. Is much better
than closed house and expenses going
on. waiting for companies you can't get |
And when by chance he does secure one, |
tbs company takes near the gross amount |
Of the performance and the local manager |
gets the congratulation OF the people Tor |
his share and sadly draws his check to pay |
the rent. 1t is also impossible to find |
attractions for high class houses in New |
York. Filth Avenue and broadway the |
ntres on Broadway, have been close for |
weeks, and the Madison Square Garden |
theatre, syndicate house, hos been closed |
for three months. The rent of those |
three houses will run over Sl25, 90 u
year. This only shows that managers |
can't I'LL their time with first class com |
panies. l am sure no more need be said. |
MAUD DANIEL,
Lessee and Manager. Wilbur Opera Co. |