The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-16

youngest theatrical manager in the world,
is August Behman, a son of the well
known member Of the firm OF Hdye &
Behman. The show was turned over to its
present proprietor last year. and no one
takes n keener interest in its perform
ances than the little fellow. to whose
bank account is credited the earnings Of
the organization.
When the company is within easy trav-
cling distance of Brooklyn. MIR. Behman.
fills, looks over the entertainment at
matinee and returns home in time to be
tucked IN his trundle bed before the hour
for the evening performance arrives.
Press Agent James Forbes in a COM
munication to The Times. says the pa
irons Of opera in this city will be inter-
ested to know Of The forthcoming appear
ances of the Metropolitan English Grand
Opera Company, which. under the direc-
tion Of Maurice Grau and Henry w. Saw
age. will inaugurate a brief season OF
grand opera in English at the National
Theatre, commencing Monday. January Il.
The organization will come to Wash
ington almost direct from New York
where last night it concluded highly sue
cessful season OF eleven weeks. The
repertoire to be given here will be Sc
lected from the large list Of works already
performed by the company, which will
include. in addition to the principal art
lists. an all-American chorus Of 100. an
orchestra OF fifty. and ballet OF thirty.
The scenery, costumes, properties,
armor. electrical effects. and other par
aphernalia which caused the productions
at the Metropolitan Opera House to be
much admired for their beauty and ap-
propriateness will be brought in their en-
tirety ard employed in the performances
to be given here. The engagement will be
for one week, with matinees on Wednes-
day and Saturday.
Monsieur Lugne- Poe. one Of the fore
most theatrical manag rs in the world will
surely make his name blessed all over
the world. He advocates the foundation uf
a school for stage carpenters. and in doing
so, he gives utterance to some remarks
about mechanics allied to the Theatrical.
calling, which are applicable wherever the
theatre has foothold
This artistic but irritable manager OBJ
jects to the stage carpenters. chiefly be-
cause they have not learned their trade
scientifically. because they are unprogres-
sive. and because they are hopelessly in
artistic. These things they certainly are
and moro. But general reform in their
ways, within the lifetime OF the present
generation. is too much to hope for.
II the stage carpenter could only be
compelled to keep himself and his old
trousers and dirty shirt sleeves out of
idyiiic scenic pictures the most sensitive
of theatregoers would ask no more of
him. But not even the most earnestly
artistic producers Of plays can curb the
stage carpenter. An ill-shaven person in
modern American shirt sleeves is the
average stage carpenter. and managers
may hare scenery painted by the finest
artists, costumes designed by masters
and made of the co5tlie5t material. and
they may employ actors who can portray
character with feeling and Intelligence,
but they cannot control the stage car
penters. who will be almost certain to
damage the illusion by standing in con-
spicuous places in full view of the au-
d. snce. There is no better field for the
stage resormer than the Intelligent but
always visible and prosaic stage carpen-
ter.
May Irwin has substituted "Madge
Smith, Attorney" by Ramsay Morris. tor
The Belle of Bridgeport" her offering in
lie beginning Of the season. The former
play was tried at a special matinee and
WIS such success that Miss Irwin de- |
.ided to continue with 1t.
For the past few seasons. since Ameri- |
can productions have gained 4 foothold on |
the English stage, there has been much |
talk in London about what is known as /
"thc American type OF humor.' to differ
entiate II from the home product. accord |
ing to the Saturday Post" When Mr.. |
Nat Goodwin was in England last sum-
mer he found himself seated one evening |
at a large dinner, next to a man who
seemed much interested In the stage.
Put can't fer the life OF ne see," re-
marked the Englishman during the course
of conversation. what people mean by
American humor. To me all humor is
alike. whether it be Of American or Eng
lish origin. Perhaps you can explain to
ne just what distinguishes American |
humor from any other sort?''
Well" replied Mr.. Goodwin, 81 think
the American type of humor is rather |
more subtle. 1t doesn't always fully i'm
press itself upon you at cnce. The more
you think about it, the funnier it seems.
can best illustrate my meaning with
little story.
"a man was walking along the street |
one day. when he passed another man,
who was carrying letter in his hand.
:" Pardon me. said the man with the |
letter; do you know where the postoftice !
isl !
on. On second thought he decided hat !
he had been rude, and went back to where |
the man with the letter was still stand |
ing.
do you wish to know where the
postofTice is?' he asked
No. said the ether man"
The Englishman's gaze was vacant. |
Just turn it over in your mind for a few
minutes. and tell me what you think of |
it. said Mr. Goodwin.
Tea minutes later the Erglishran
rlutched at Mr.. Goodwin's elbow. you
won't be offended. will you. old cbap?" he
nurmured. But really. think they
we're both blawsted rude
The following letter reached the dramatic
difor of The Times last Tuesday:
Sir: With the permission of Mr Charles Froh-
nan and OF Mr.. William Gillette. in whose
ave. for reasons OF private nature. altered the
pelling Of my (assumed) name. Henry Herman.
Under which am known on the stage to Henry
Harmon. and beg you to note that I shall
hereafter play under this name. Yours truly,
HENRY HARMON.
The Times felici,ates Mr.. Harmon on
II. Frohman and Mr. Gillette's kindness
4 allowing him to change the spelling OF
lis nom dc theatre. and will 90 its share
n notifying the seventy-six millions of
nxinus Americans as to the manner in
ihich his mai! should be addressed.
It is an interesting bit of news that Mrs.
.esiie Carriers next undertaking will be
ne of the most dramatic and picturesque
Eeracters iii French history. namely. La
III Barry, the mistress CT Louis XIV of
france. The play, which. Of course. bears
ne heroine's name fer its title. is now in
he bands of David paloscn
1t is announced that the production will
e made next fall, in all probability hav-