Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-03-23
POPULAR PLAYS.
The One That Makes More Money
Than Any Other.

| 1t was after the show, and they
! were getting a bite to eat. Incidental
| ly they were discussing the relative
| drawing power of certain dramas.
| What do you regard as the most pop
ular play in existence" asked the man
in the corner, addressing the old time
manager at the opposite end of the
table. How do you mean?" replied
the manager. DO you refer to the
| successes of the hour, Or No. no"
interrupted the other: Il mean what
play of modern times has held the
boards longest-drawn the most money
entertained the greatest number of
people," What play would you
| think" asked the manager. smiling
"Oh. I don't know" said the man in
the corner. Il never gave the subject
any thought. Camille I suppose. must
be we'll toward the head of the list
and what's the matter with Kip Van
Winkle?"
My answer is going to surprise
you" said the manager. but ! am sim
| ply stating what l know to be a fact
The most popular play ever produced
| in America and the most popular play
| in existence at this moment, is, Ten
| Nights in BarrOom.' Ten Nights
| in Barroom' echoed everybody
about the table. you're joking"
why that thing is the most awful rot
| ever written" exclaimed the man in
the corner. It's the worst agglomera-
ton of maudlin-" Hold on.' said
the manager calmly. You didn't ask
me what l considered the most artistic
and beautiful play extant. You asked
what play had held the boards longest,
drawn the most money. and enter
tanned the greatest number of people.
I answered Ten Nights in a Barroom.'
and the cold facts bear me out Any
well posted theatrical man will tell you
the same thing. For over a quarter of
century the production of that piece
has been going on continuously to ire
mendous business all over the coun-
try. How many road companies do
you think are playing it exclusively
right now? At least twenty-five.
That's astonishing. but it's true. as
you may see by any dramatic journal.
Its record as money maker is so far
ahead OF any other repertoire play that
1t stands in class by itself. To what
do attribute all this. did you say?
We'll. to begin with, the story, which
was written, you know. by II. s. Ar
thur, is dear to the memory of almost
every middleaged person in the land.
When l was boy you could find a
copy of it in nearly every house. and
1t was the cornerstone of all the Sun
day school libraries. For years and
years it was the subject of tableaux
given in countless churches, and 1
venture the assertion that there is
scarcely an amateur actor in the whole
United States who has not at SOM
time appeared in a local production.
All that counts, and. rot or no rot, it is
undeniable that the play possesses
powerful human interest. 1t appeal,
strongly to the common people
What are some of the other old
productions that have held their OWN"
continued the manager, in response to
question. We'll, next to Ten
Nights, East Lynne has undoubtedly
made more money than any other PLAY
ever produced in America. and, like
Ten Nights. it is still as good draw
ing card as ever. Properly advertised.
1t Will pack a theater at popular prices
in any city or town in the United
States. The stock companies in the
larger places never fail to put it on for
at least one week every season. and
there are today fully two dozen differ.
ent road organizations playing that
one drama. and nothing else over tha
minor circuits. A good many old