The times., 1899-07-30

the magniiying of sensational episodes for
financial gain that sickens one. Several of
the bestknown of the classics have bor-
dered on the risque, and The Times can see
little reason for ruthlessly condemning a
strong play because its theme delcateIy
handled, may have necessitated one or more
delicate situations. Only narrowness or
prejudice could account for the bitter re-
proaches heaped by the Mirror" upon the
authors of The Conquerors' and 'Zaza;
only a critic really vulgar minded could
have expressed liberation OF THE Turtle
or Mile. Fiji
Almost the only unpleasant productions
of last year were made by Brady a Zieg-
field. As a matter of fact the only threat
ening presentations of this year are those
announced by Brady Ziegfeld. This
firm in addition to sending on the road
the pair OF farces mentioned, is TO stage
La CuIotte," confessedly "audacious
Offering, and to import from the Garrick
"A Court Scandal the only merit of
which is its filth. THE Gay Lord QueX
and Wheels Within Wheels" to which
Mr. Fiske probably refers chiefly. are two
of three c1everest comedies now being seen
in London, while THE Girl From Max
im's,'' also reputedly dirty. is by the au-
thor of THE Gay Parisians," the unques-
tened success of three continents. Alto
gether it would seem that Mr.. Fiske has
been too soon alarmed, unless the decen-
cy whish he so correctly advocates for the
stage means prudery.
Brady & Ziegfeld, by the way, cannot be
said by their warmest admirers to be I'M
tarnished ornaments to the amusement
profession. With a solitary exception, ev-
cry piece they have advertised at their
Manhattan Theatre during the term OF
their tenancy has been nauseatingiy sug-
gestive, fact to which their methods OF
gaining publicity for the attractions them
selves has added considerably. Now, be-
sides making preparations for the Offering
of La Culotte'' and "A Court Scandal"
this duo declares its intention of doing
'Sapho" shortly
Not that 'Sapho" is likely to be a drama
of doubtful morality, but that 1t Is rea-
sonably sure to prove one of great strength
and that the rights for its production, by
justice If not by law, belong solely to Olga
Nethersole. Alphonse Daudet's novel had
lain undramatized for a couple of decades
when it occurred to Miss Nethersole as
fit subject for presentation. Brady &
Ziegfeld had probably seen it and heard of
it and even read it. but never expressed
any intention of having anything more to
do with the work until the English act
ress had made her announcement Then,
| one may properly suppose, influenced by
the advertising the story had gotten and
perhaps by Miss Nethersole's view of its
power, the statement was made that they
might do the piece. Leander Richardson
remarks: The presentment, | understand,
/ will occur quite early in the season, long
time. indeed. before Miss Nethersole's pro-
+ duction can be made at Wallack's The
atre." method of turning the clever art
! lists own ideas against her. regarding
| which, If it is carried out or even if Brady
! G. Ziegfeld ever intended to carry 1t out,
! there can be no two opinions,
| Unfortunately the proprietors of the
Manhattan Theatre are not the only peo-
! pie given to this sort of thing. The war
of THE Musketeers'' last season was un-
! doubtedly a disgraceful bit OF business
made possible only by the laxity of our
copyright laws. Jacob Lifts coming pre-
miere of The Ghetto" at the Broadway.
in opposition to the Lieblers' Children
of the Ghetto" may be excused, since the
piece was running in Amsterdam before
Israel Zangwill had been approached with
the suggestion that he adapt mis- book, but
the half-dozen cheaper limitations which
! threaten should not be tolerated. Thoma;
E. Shea and Godfrey Stein both had plans
concerning versions OF "a Tale OF Two
Cities before THE Only Way achieved
success in London. The half dozen imi-
tatfons of these two and of Henry Miller
are not to be condoned. And the general
spirit of the thievery. whether legally
thievery or not, is alike discouraging and
to be discouraged. The public admins
tered a sound lecture on the subject to
Augustin DAILY last November, when he
advertised his version OF 'Cyrano de Ber-
gerac," but the lesson has been forgotten.
A second one should not be harmful.
Apropos Of all that has gone before, the
statement is made that Charles Frohman
| will give The Girl from Maxim's''
its premiere in Washington. This
much was expressed in a recent in
terview, published in the New York
Telegraph" and to it the manager
added his often made remark to the ef-
feet that he considered the critics Of this
city better able to Judge the merits Of a
new effort than are those Of any other
town in the East. That the surmise is a
correct one has been proven many times
In the past, and the number of initial pro-
ductions slated for either the National
or the Columbia during the next three
months bears this out. Washington had
thirteen such first nights last season, and
If present plans go through. will be able
TO boast OF not less than fifteen between
September next and January.
The dramatic papers, always most liber-
al in their handling of subjects too fire.
quently made the objects OF bigoted and
narrow discussion, have been printing q
great deal of able matter on the death oil
Col. Robert G. Ingersoll. The Mirror u
in particular, last week contained no less
than a page and a half relating to the great
agnC5tic-a glowing, masterful eloquent
tribute to his genius and his life In this
article, as was TO be supposed, considerable
space was given to yoicing, both in Colo
mel Ingersolis words and in the words
of those who knew him, the orators trans
cendant love for the stage and its people
The Dramatic News also contributed a
briefer, but no less fervent eulogy. while
the Telegraph" with practical belliger-
ency, devoted its editorial columns or
Tuesday to a spirited and commendable at
tack upon those few ministers who have
bsltttled themselves in attempting to be-
little him. The Clipper was not behind
its contemporaries in praising the dead
thinker while the smaller sheets have
without exception. Joined in expressing ap-
probation Of Colonel Ingersolls qualities
and sorrow at his too-early demise.
De Wolf Hopper is still in London. slat
ing records. The first of these was tn,
record established on his initial night IL
the British metropolis-the record FOL
long-distance speech making without tn,
use OF weights. Next Mr.. Hopper won tht
championship at baseball by recitin.
Casey at the Bat" one evening before
demonstrative audience OF his fellow -coun
trymen. And now he has astonished ever
Nat Goodwin with display of his laten
ability as press agent.
This marvellous feat-the surprising o
Nat Goodwin-was not accomplished IL
one fell swoop. but by degrees. The frs
attempt was In Mr. Hopper's promptnes:
in taking advantage of the notoriety gained
by his curtain lecture. Then came an in
zN...,