The times., 1899-04-16


is relished by the best OF men and still
urges that from the point Of the
present period the Bard OF Avon is infe-
rior TO the writers whose art approaches
nature. But IL cannot be denied by the
most indulgent that the millions of dollars
expended every twelvemonth in
the support of hundreds of such
The Pulse of Greater New York
"Finnegan's Ball." The Finish OF
Mr.. Fresh,'' "A Day and Night" "The
Girl From Paris and why Smith Left
Home had best be regarded as cash char
itably spent in supporting authors and ac-
tors who could make their livings in no
other way. The continued success of
vaudeville and the vast number of attrac
tions like those named remains. despite
the increase of meritorious combinations,
an emphatic discouragement to those who
believe instruction and reason compatible
with amusement of any sort.
Another mortifying condition OF the past
season has been the growth OF the alleged
theatrical trust and the eradication OF
every vestige of opposition to 1t. While it
may be true that the business OF the play
house is greatly furthered by being con-
trolled by single organization 1t is also
indisputable that the syndicate has sew
eral times exhibited determinations and
plans of a nature not at all inclined to pro-
mote the interest of the American drama.
The fact that the trust has been able 10
keep Mrs. Fiske out OF Washington this
year is sufficient evidence OF its pernicious
power when the combine is considered out
side of the range of speculation
On the other hand some good is 10 be ex-
pected from the fact that the stock system
has broadened in the past few months un-
I'll every large city in the country has
from one to five such troupes, the benefits
to be derived from which have often been
discussed in these columns. There are
now nearly sixty stock companies in the
United States. A betterment OF vehicles
has also been noted among the two hun
dred and odd repertoire organizations
playing the smaller towns, while the es-
tablishment of something approaching ar
tistic free trade between France, Germany,
England and America is to be commended.
With the passing of the season several
issues and incidents have claimed atten-
tion without having any direct bearing
upon the situation. The gradual vanish
ing of companies which featured the plays
presented instead of starring single per-
son has continued, the process having been
quickened by the success OF many new
aspirants for honors and big type. Annie
Russell, Viola Allen, Mrs. Leslie Carter,
Alice Nielsen James K. Hackett. Blanche
| Walsh. Harry Corson Clarke Paul Gilmore,
and James Wilson have been among these.
while those who have tried and failed are
Burr Mcintosh, Eddie Bald, Sam Bernard
1 Walter Jones, Ferris Hartman. Clara
Thropp George Monroe. and Dan Daily.
! The old problem Of securing vehicles
| worthy of notice has also obtruded itself
! Although the year has introduced or rein
! troduced many writer's of talent-men like
Theodore Burt Sayre. and Clyde Fitch-the
native product is still small and importa-
tion not only expensive. but unpopular.
| The fact that W. II. Crane in two months
saw the futility of an attempt to make "A
| Virginia Courtship'' last him another sea-
son, failed in His Honor. the Mayor" and
Worth a Million and was finally reIe-
! gated to the partially adequate THE Head
! of the Family is significant. as are Sol
Smith Russell's vain effort to make Uncle
Dick" profitable and Roland Reeds fIoun-
derings with "A Distinguished Guest" "A
Man of Ideas. The Yoyagers, an adap-
tation OF His Absent Boy and his old
repertoire. What the outcome of this
dearth will be cannot be told Time must
solve the problem or suggest some means OF
avoiding it,
1t is meet TO reflect upon the number OF
distinguished actors and actresses who
have been taken from their fields OF use
fulness since the beginning Of 1898. The
temporary retirement of E. S. Willard
With the deaths of Charles Walter Coul-
dock. Edward Henley, Alice Atherton,
Maude Haslam. Fanny Davenport. Thomas
W. Keene, Laura Booth. William Barry,
Jane English, Caroline Miskel Hoyt. Mar
garet Mather Edouard Remenyi. William
]. Seaman. Johnny Wild Max Aivary,
Madame Posini, and Dan Mccarthy, has
given touch OF sadness to the season
that has been held by few others.
The twentieth anniversary of that re-
markable periodical. the New York Dra-
matte Mirror" the revival of negfo min
strelsy in this country, and other matter:
of moment also deserve consideration. AL
together the amusement year has been {
most consequential one. Players ant
theatregoers have benefited much and los
little from its events. Both should be sor.
ry of its passing.
The reason for like regret on the par
of managers in general and of Washing
ton managers in particular will be Sc
forth in next Sundays Times.
About the cleverest thing in the way o
| impromptu versifcation that has come L
be noticed in some months was done las
Monday night at the National Theatre b.
an ex-actor, who rejoices in the euphoniou
if bewildering name of C. p. Nikral Be
hind this Thespian, and, incidentally be
hind The Times man, sat couple OF anna
teur critics who were discussing the com
parative merits of "Cyrano de Bergerac'
and "A Runaway Girl" 1t was finall.
decided that the musical comedy was TIL
better Offering At this the newspape
writer turned to his companion and re
marked: THAT proves the necessity TO
professional reviewers"
No" was the reply. "All the argu
ment in creation could not change TN
minds of those people" And then he be
gan scribbling on his programme. Fiv
/ minutes later he submitted the followin
lines:
Il liked the play we saw / said
Its plot good.
/ Twas built M to a torceful head,
| Yet hardly tangled, but instead
, Not easily misunderstood.
Its strength was great and humor fine,
As though 'twere wit;
Its story took single line
And interest seemed almost TO twine
: Bout every Bit
Thus TO INV friend most learnedly spoke /,
Yet could not question his reply
You thought the show saw all right.
u Oh, hell!
e ] didn't like it half so well
+ A. Johnson's cake walk of last "Wednesday night
: The verses are among the wittiest recent
: ly published Mr.. Nikral deserves to TAX
S rank with Wilton Lackaye, Katharine Mu
. kins. Charles and Edward Mackay, Eu!all
d Bennett. and other members of the Amer
r can Academy of Player-Poets being forme'
Since T. Daniel Frawley announced tina
S he would give trip to Europe free. grd
o tis, for nothing to the individual hoidin