The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-03-12
ROYALTIES FOR PLAYS.
Payments by stock Companies for
Using Popular Pieces


II may he an interesting matter to
know the cost to the manage who ex-
plot stock companies for the use of the
various plays they present during the
season in the shape OF ROYALTIES for il is
Known that a large percentage of these
companies use about the same PLAYS at
least once season, and frequently II has
icch the case q a certain play being used
ny no less than half = dozen different
companies in different cities in one week
It IS claimed by some OF these mana gers
that the royalties for these plays is the
most expensive part of the whole outfit.
ana q IeR- stock companies which have
passed out of existence attribute the
cause 70 the eXOrbitant royalties which
they had been forced TO pay \ few OF
the popular plays and their cost per week
Is az follows.
AN american Citizen" royalty for one
The Great Ruby costs Is per cent of
the gross receipts on the first 81 60 and
y per cent or the next S2.o0o. with bo
nus of from $3.50 to s=5al
The Prisoner Of Zenda" has cost as
high as $3.50 for its use for d single week.
and one stock company is said to have
paid as high as 3 900 for it
The Charity Bali costs $500 a week
The Dancing Girl averages from 1898
TO 500 week. while Z N Royle's play,
Friends. costs $50 q week
II requires 10 per cent OF the gross re-
ceipts 10 obtain The Sporting Duchess
a week, and a similar amount for the use
Of Little Lord EauntleToy-
Sweet Lavender is worth $3.50 a week,
while 'HOodmau Bliud" is placed at Sl25.
For the use Of Liberty Hall from 10
10 - per cent Of the gross receipts Is eX-
acted, with a guarantee Of at least $+C3.
''Trnby'' can be had for 500 per week,
while there are half dozen Nell GwEn-
Ee-s'' at 800 week
That clever play. THE Butterflies,
costs S2O5 and The Young Wife, $3.50
a farce comedy like Why Smith Left
home requires 500 week TO get Il,
while the melodrama. The Fatal Card.
demands 500.
The Moth and the Flame wants 10
per cent. Of the gross receipts, with d
guarantee Of $500. while "A Gilded Fool"
is satisfied with 10 per cent. of the gross
OF some Of the other plays Hazel
kirke~ costs $50: Men and Women,
$50; a Bachelors Romance $3.50: Jim
the Penmau'' $50: a Fair Rebel, SIJJ-
The Ensign" $50. The District Attor-
ney. $50. Diplomacy. 500: The
Countess Valeska. $500. Paul Kauvar,''
soc. and White Heather, 10 per cent Of
the receipts
Unprotected and uncopyrishted plays
like East Lynne. Led AStray, and
others of that caIihre. cost nothing. and
are worth about nothing
No doubt the largest dealer in plays Tor
stock companies is Alice Kauser who
acts as agent for these pieces. collects
tie royalties and for her services receives
z liberal commission. Ia instances where
box-office statements are required TO fig
UFC up percentages she has experts at
work to cover that detail
In the West, Howard & DOYLE occupy
about the same position and they in some
Instances. control the absolute rights 10
several plays
The cost Of the above piece. must be
weekly added to the salary list OF the
companies and that is probably why q
great many stock companies are not such
a profitable investment