The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-12-15
The Enacted Dramatist.

he need only show himself to enjoy
every reward that comes to the man
that is needed.
The supply Of acceptable plays from
both foreign and native sources falls
SO far short Of the demand that the
theatre managers are in q serious pre-
dicament on this account more fire.
quently than the public ever suspects.
In this country the support OF the drama
is more generous than 1t ia anywhere
in the world.
At the same time it is more exacting.
The kinds OF plays that appeal in the
fullest sense 10 the American people
are fewer than they are in any other
part of the civilized world. Not only
are the subjects to be treated more
limited here, but so are the characters
TO be introduced.
Every manager knows the sort OF a
play to be avoided; his experience SCOT
teaches him that. Learning the kind
that may be liked is a more difficult
part Of his business.
1t is the refusal of American audiences
to take an interest in more than a limited
number of subjects on the stage that
has made the European supply less
useful than it was in the past. The
theatre is still regarded here as a place
of entertainment only, and as that view
no longer directs the composition OF
plays in Europe. unless England be ex-
cepted, il has become necessary for u
managers to turn more frequently to
the native writer's for the stage. Their
good work will always be received with
gratitude. They will get more from
one successful play than most bank
Presidents carr in a year.
The scarcity of suitable plays for the
American stage may be understood
from the situation that existed recently
in one of the best known New York
theatres. It's manager was on the
point Of abandoning dramatic perform
ances altogether in his theatre and dis
banding his company on account oil the
difficulty OF finding a play suited 10 ms
public. 1t was the tardy discovery OF
a drama that seemed TO promise success
that saved this theatre to New York.
Musical performances would other
wise have been given In place Of the
PLAYS that had previously been seen
there. When such a crisis arises in the
business Of amusements. the demand
for the American dramatist is urgent;
vet he comes forward too slowly for
the 10 welcome him as they
would like TO.
Sometimes there are grounds for
doubt that this talented and unappre-
ciated playwright exists in sufficient
numbers TO accomplish what is asked OF
him. A recent competition. that offered
81 900 for the best play Of American
authorship, resulted in nothing q
satisfactory than the selection Of a drama
avowedly unfit for public representa-
ton. The quality OF the other works
submitted TO the committee led It's MEM
bers 10 the conclusion that there was no
great amount Of American talent await
ing recognition.
Previous competitions have shown
similar results. They rarely bring forth
available plays Of real merit. Most
Of the Efforts submitted have already
been under the observation Of managers.
Difficult as II may he for the Enacted
dramatist 10 get a hearing. he ~ not
altogether overlooked II worthy plays
had for several years been ignored by
the %aSsuredly some OF them
would hAy. come under the -Nes IT th"
Judges la charg. - his latest com
l..tI,ion ard thrl would not have
bsen comlGlied ~ award the pm" tp
a drama untitled for the stage This
author had prohably heard a like opinion
VI his play before. bat ~i'hout the Gc-
olmpanimsnt - the gratifying 'n1n-
aai reward nat came after ~ last
consideration
NanasuIs are esgof to r~rpYulys the
genius - ths drhinatists ~ho vii rulidl
them With lla,s tha' Ntu t.f,s the
puhAr " tha.a unapif" lai"i ~uirrr
afu la sniuiu4'r ihsy arr not sns"ul,'
nsry afa anllulsly seaitoi iuruhr
b 10 siois f,f u.om d. tia meantime
ur lsiai ati.uIa tl bung u,sm is'sf'
u.s isIidl, 500 iaf toward pfut.u
ihr ti.aay ~ ths uisuas ris shat iIti'
uf u%.iiing b. iH d. 'tlasfui iium H
sti- - vurs iH us siass o.,
u.H 10000 ulls o. ia #
sas iuf ail uhes slH 600 FTI
ia, aisabs H@.auHlrl u riI' q
uF HHrs nH .aiflff u