The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-08
The work Done by the Veteran New
York Theatrical Manager,
Mr.. A. VI. Palmer.
PREPARING FOR MANSFIELD
HE WILL PUT ON "MONSIEUR BEAU
CAIRE- NEXT YEAR.
An Interesting Chat on Matters The
Observation-Disclosures Managers
Meet at Cleveland.

cal manager and producer engaged in the
work of drilling a hundred supernumer-
aries was witnessed on the stage Of Eng
lish's Opera House yesterday afternoon
and last night and may be seen again this
morning and afternoon. The man in ques-
ton is MIR. A. NJ. Palmer. Richard Mans
fields business associate and manager of
the production king Henry "" He came
direct from New York TO indianapolis to
superintend the advance details of the per-
Torrance which will be given tonight. Mr..
Palmer registered at the Bates yesterday
about noon and at 2 o'clock in the after
noon he was hard at work showing the
''supes' how they must comport themselves
in the great performance tonight. BY 10
o'clock last evening the veteran manager
had got his assistants to a high state of
proficiency and felt that he could afford
to leave them until this morning
''Why do l attend to the training of the
supernumeraries myself?" he repeated to a
reporter who visited him in his room at
the Bates after the opera house incident.
why. simply because Mr.. Mansfield and
myself cannot afford to have any bitches
in our performances. We shall give King
Henry W in Indianapolis just as 1t was
given in New York and just as 1t has been
given in every other large city visited thus
far 1 will have these extra people drilled i'm
such manner that when the performance
is in progress they will dovetail into 1t
perfectly"
CALL FROM MR.. HARRINGTON.
Mr.. Palmer received a call from Newton
Booth Harrington, author of Monsieur
Beaucaire," yesterday, and accepted Mr..
Tarkington's invitation TO take dinner at
the University Club in the evening. I'VE
talked about Mr.. Mansfield's forthcoming
production Of Mr.. Tarkington's play, Mon
sieur Beaucaire,' only in an informal way,
said Mr.. Palmer "Of course Mr.. Mansfield
has the play in his possession and is study
ing out the details. l entertain a very high
regard for Mr. Harrington and think he is
one of the cleverest Of the younger genera
ton of American nOveHsts. / have been
very much impressed by his Gentleman
from Indiana as we'll as his Monsieur
Beauoaire.
plans for next season Mr. Palmer said that
the piece de resistance of the distinguished
actor will be Monsieur Beaucaire. Mr..
Mansfield will also produce stephen Phll-
lips's great drama 'Herod. which has Gre
ated such stir in London this season, as
presented by Mr.. Beersohm Tree, SAID
BY the litefsti II EngFssd as a remarkable
example OF modern esssicism In the
drama.
Mansnef1 pfoducfion Of king Henry ""
He stated the unique fact that II Is the
first production of the powerful Shak-
snearean play ever made by an American.
"About twenty-six years ago, said the
veteran manager. 1.-THE play was given In
this country. more as spectacle than as
a drama. but the production was an i'm
ported one
Mr. Palmer said that he has lively
recollection of number OF former YER
quainted with several people who recall
productions still older, and from these
data he is convinced that the play mas
never before been presented on such scale
of magnificence as has been attempted by
Mr.. Mansfield.
MATTERS THEATRICAL.
In discussing theaterical matters gener-
ally Mr.. Palmer said that Americans have
grown to be the greatest theatergoing peo-
pie in the world. Il do not believe there is
a country in the world where so much
money is spent every year on theatericals,"
he declared. but the American has not
progressed very far beyond the stage
where he seeks the theater TO be amused
or tickled. L believe that can all get
amusement or entertainment from high
things If we educate ourselves up to that
point. All that, however, will come about
in time America does not stand still. Why,
when / was young man IL was not con-
sidered just the thing for people to enter
a playhouse. Now everybody goes TO the
theater, even church people
The reporter noted Dir. Palmer's remark
ably youthful characteristics. despite his
almost white hair and asked the veteran
manager what he did TO keep young. Il
Just take ordinary care of myself, he
replied. II see no reason why any man
in the theatrical business except perhaps
the man who makes many big productions,
should not attain TO an advanced age" Mr..
Palmer admits that he is siXty-twO years
old. but his step is as elastic as that or
man OF forty and his voice is full and
resonant. carrying with ease TO every part
of a theater He said that several years
ago he retired from active theatrical life
but that Mr. Mansfield had persuaded him
10 enter the arena again Il guess am
back again to stay this time, he said with