The Washington times., 1901-12-29
News Of Plays
and Players

The announcement that Percy Haswell
is seeking prize play for her own use
evidently means that the actress is be-
coming weary OF the hardships OF stock
work and longs for a piece that
will give her al opportunity of appearing
at the head OF a company strong enough
TO ask the patronage Of the theatregoers
of the principal cities of the country.
The idea OF getting the product of an
unheard-of Fitch or Thomas or Howard
by means OF prize is not at all
original with Miss Haswell. and. indeed,
unless she has better luck than have two
New York papers she stands very little
chance of getting play that will rise
above the level OF mediOcrity. The metro
politan publications that sought to prove
that there is an abundance Of good un-
acted plays lying around the country sim
ply because managers would not give
them a trial found how impossible it was
to secure a dramatic product of any de-
gree OF merit.
One offer was for q one-act piece, and
the successful "Chums," seen frequently
in this city in the vaudeville houses.
proved conclusiyely that almost any
writer Of twenty minute sketches could
turn out better product without half try
ing. And yet "Chams" was considered the
best of the several scores Of sketches
that we're submitted to the committee
having charge of the award. More re-
Gently a Gotham weekly paper offered
prize OF a thousand dollars for the best
play written either by a known or un-
heard-of playwright. There were not
many compositions included in the contest
and for some reason or other the great
army of ambitious Sardous OF this country
who are popularity supposed to have a
plentiful supply OF comedies dramas. ro-
mances, and the like constantly on hand.
subject TO the hurried call OF a Frohman
or some other prominent producer. re-
Trained from logling down the mail with
their writings for this particular prize.
The successful play was admitted by
committee that included such a past
master of dEpnatic construction as David
Belasco and two experienced and ac-
knoWlcdgei brilliant New York critics to
be unsuitable for the purposes of pro-
duction. although it might look we'll in
cold type.
Here's all the country complaining that
the native writer has no chance for his
dramatic white alley nowadays. but
when thotfsand dollars Is offered for q
play, the judges are compelled to decide
in favor of Il piece that will not do for
the footlights, -eYen If 1t is ct for publ
cation, SUI
Miss Haswell cannot seriously hope for
better success Than the publication whose
thousand dollars brought them nothing
better than "Chivalry." and even il she
gftraapH In fnu 1I.fln fraa "a
vcrtising from the scheme she will hardly
dare TO give up her present stock posi-
ton in favor OF the great play that is to
come TO her and capture the prize-just
what the prize is to be Miss Haswell has
failed to state, except that the success
ful dramatist is to enjoy the honor OF
having his play acted by the former La
sayette stock company's leading woman.
There are very few persons who write
to any extent but who really believe away
down deep in their literary souls that
they possess the necessary qualifications
for tho successful drsmatist. Daniel
Frohman, who perhaps reads as many
plays as any other manager. not even ex-
cepting his more energetic brother
Charles. says regarding the requirements
OF playHritlng'
Whatever may be said about the quail
ty OF play produced in this country. there