New-York tribune., 1901-01-06
A CENTURY OF THE DRAMA.
VAST GROWTH OF THE 7HEATREGOMG PUBLIC HAS RE-
VERSED THE STAGES EARLY STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE

Fanny JauaUSClek, Sardn beFuUdTuIs AuSidsuC
Nelson, Helena Mcdjeska and Mary Anderson.
Booth died IN 1898 at the age Of sixty-"and
hath not left mis- peer" Among other actors.
native and foreign but mostly Of the latter
class, who deeply impressed the public mind, in
the course OF their transit, and who largely
contributed to the moulding Of the stage ana
the establishment OF popular views as TO that
institution. were Augustus A. Adams. who be-
gan his career in Boston in 1923, appeared in
New-York in 1880. and died in 1S51-a man OF
extraordinary genius; Henry J. Finn. a great
comedian, lost in the Lexington, in Long Island
Sound. in 1910; w. G Macready. one OF the
greatest of actors. 1926; Nine Vestris. who first
came in lS2S, and who came again. as the wIfe
Of Charles Mathews, in 1888; Tyrone Power
1888; John Reeve 1885 Mr.. and Mrs Kelley,
1896; Chippendale, 1896; and J. B. Blackstone.
1910 The first OF the society actresses"-a
painful lot-was Mrs. Mowatt, 1915. Among the
great singers Of old days. who visited Amer
lea. were Charles Incledon. 1917; the enchanting
Malibran, 1928 ana the Incompatible Jenny
Lind. 1880
The plays produced during thase successive
periods. have been, in the main. such as leading
actors deemed best adapted for their personal
display. a hunFred years ago the sentiment al
Shakespeare has always held his place. The
first regular dramatic performance given in
America,-in a building in Nassau-st.. New
York, March .. 1750-was performance OF
Richard ILL., as adapted by Cibber; and from
that time onward the chronicles TEEN with men
tion OF the best OF all dramatic poets. Cooper,
Cooke. Kean. Forrest, and indeed all the ira
&c ians Of the century. acted Shakespeare
though not 20 the exclusion OF everything else
Forrest gained the bulk of his great fortune
with "Metamora"-a play that he abhorred, but
one that he had taught his public to like, and
one In which he appsared to great advantage
Musical plays, such as Guy Mannering were
much favored IN the early part OF the century
when such actors ana singers as Mrs. Richard
son elizabeth JeffeFson), Charlotte CuShman
Peter Richiugs and Henry Placide were ex-
tant 10 interpret them. Meodrama was very
popular about the middle of the century: no
FaEc rTrr.-
now, that OF Charlotte Cushman in Nancy,
J. w. WalIack, 1r.. in Fasin. and Peter Richiugs
or z. L. Davenport In Bill Skies. The greatest
dramatic genius Of France the Incompatible
Rachel visited America In 1885, and cast upon
many minds magic spell. Of which the glamour
has not vet wholly faded. The decadent drama
Of France was first introduced the American
stage about the same time. in an English FORM by
Jean Davenport-now Mrs Lander who first in
this country 1852 1858 acted the part OF Camille
Matilda Heron. woman Of astonishing genius,
seized on that part in lSj0-l. and, in the
nimble phraseoloby OF her Hibernian manager,
":lutched the dramatic diadem at a bound"
All sorts OF things have arrived since then 0he
mere mention OF them would NIL columnsl. and
every species OF influence has been liberated in
the theatre. The last quarter of the century
presents much to he deplored. but much also to
be admired and extolled. Joseph Jefferson, act
ing Rip Van Wrinkle. has diffused happiness all
over the land, and at the same time has eXem-
plihed the perfection Of the comedians art
Lester Wallack QS2n-1sSS), closing a career Of
exceptional and sustained orilliapcy, has ex-
plotted the treasures of old English comedy, and
mas left precious memories that Will long survive
Adelaide Nelson, that wonder OF genius and
beauty (sarly ana most cruelty and sadly bIotted
out OF life). has filed the stage with images of
loneliness and pathos that can never be forgot
ten. The noble an stately Mary Anderson has
splendidly eXemplified some of the highest ideals
of poetry and therein has done much 10 endear
the theatre TO the best minds Of her time. Au-
gustn DAILY. making superb battle for intellect
beauty. and refineroert in the contemporary
drama and in the conduct of the stage, and rails
ing the American theatre to conspicuous dignity
and reRown. has blessed the age with many joys
ami lowered it with the glory Of a shining ex-
ample; his theatre was started in 1863. and in
1890 he died The fame OF Ada Rehan as a Shake
spearian actress has been firmly established and
widely diffUsed. Richard Mansfield has won
great distinction and favor. Minnie Maddern
Fiske has deservedly gained an honorable and
auspicious eTiuence. But the most potent
affecting the stage in every department, and
affecting society in every Iank.-has been that
Of the famous English actor Henry Irving, whose
several visits TO America, since 1888. with that
rare, imaginative, enchanting actress, Ellen
Terry. and with their London Lyceum company
and theatrical productions, have exhibited dra-
matte art in SURPRISING excellence. and the
atrical embe l'shment in unprecedented and un-
rivalled completeness and splendor. The Irving
productions in particular. have illustrated and
enforced the wisdom Of scrupulous attention to
every detail, and Lying. like Booth. has de-
voted his life TO great subjects. giving TO the
public. not what they are supposed 70 want but
what they ought 20 have. In comedy the
shown. and the names of Charles and Fanny
Kenlble, John Barnes. w. F. Blake w. f. Gates.
DlOu bouclCduAt JOun bfouSNdlQ, Wlllldln H..
Burton. James II. Hackett John +. Owens
Charles Burke. John S. Clarke. John Gilbert
Charles +. Coghlan Mr.. and Mrs. Kendall, and
that exquisite artist, John Hare. have been writ
ten on the age in letters of light.
AS the century closes the field of the drama
extends from the Atlantic TO the Pacific and in
cludes the vast population of 700 900 600 There
more thar 5000 theatrical towns in the
United States. and more than 5000 theatres
and there at least 600 travelling Companies
I'm continual activity. AT this moment-rluch
10 the injury of the dramatic profession and
much To the dscredit OF most OF it's leaders =
the stage is girded with the tentacles of an oc-
topus. having its head in this capital and its
limbs extended throughout the land. A Theatri-
cal Trust has been formed. and, under it's sordid
and ruthless tyranny. the theatre has been
| turned into sort of Department Store THE
motive Of this ring is uercenary and the tome
or It is vulgar Such influence must in the
/ nature of things. make everything that II
touches commonplace and mean One OF the
blessings most 20 be desired. at the beginning
or the century, is the destruction of ms
syndicate af speculative corner-gTocery traders
| In the arts. and thereupon the restoration of =
fair competition in business. The stage can be
preserved only by the preservation OF its charm
To make il common is TO insure its ruin. In the
immediate dramatic prospect there is but little
promise of fine achievement but, in the domain
| of the stage. as In other domains, there are al
ways salutary and noble forces working beneath
rhe surface, and the hope should be encoura eed
that, III this in all realms of human activity
| evil viii ultimately be defeated and good will
connner WILLIAM WINTER.