The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-02-09
MADE BUSINESS
OUT OF AN ART
Allegation Against FrOhman, the
theatrical Manager, Defeated.
KING AND QUEENAT THEATRES
TRANS-MARINE PLAY HOUSES
ARE PROSPEROUS.

= ONDCN. Feb. S.-William Archer.
the dramatic critic and author
- has taken up the cudgels in behalf
of the American theatrical trust or
rather. against what ne claims TO be
the absurd criticisms anent it which
have recently appeared in the London
Times. Mr.. Archer points out that ne
was of the first to denounce the syn
dicate's unsuccessful attempt to terror
ize the press, and that, therefore, ne
cannot be accused Of partially
But" he adds. "it makes me a little
tired TO see the syndicate subjected 10
irrational abuse which can only eXas-
perate its members and obscure the real
point at issue"
Quoting the London Times critic, who
declared that Charles Frohman had re
dCced the theatrical profession from
at 20 a purely business basis, Mr.. Ar
cner says
~On what other basis has it ever
rested in America or England? There
have been frequent instances in Lon
don, and 1 dare say in America, where
theatres have been endowed IN the IN
Cerest of ladies whose beauty was, per-
haps, more conspicuous than their tai
ent.
Profits Are Essentials.
Even in these cases, 1 hope profit
was sometimes rot lacking. Were the
American managers in the pre-syndi-
cate days given to emharking in enter
prises for the sake Of art without any
hope of profit? The insinuation that
Mr.. FrOhman is degenerating art is
entirely unjust From the Times the
English reason cannot be altogether
that Mr.. FrOhman deliberately panders
to corrupt tastes and that consequently
the American stage is less decent and
respectable than the English stage. If
the latter proposition is true, and it is
very questionable, the fault is certainly
not Mr.. Frohman's. He degrades the
American stage neither more nor less
than George Edwardes. Frank Curzon
and a dozen other managers degrade
the English stage.
Were L an American critic I should
warmly support all honest endeavors
to break down Mr.. Frohman's mOnOp-i
oily, and should vigorously demonstrate
with him for his really short sighted
neglect Of native american art. But
certainly should not assail him for try
ing to make his theatres pay. What
else can he possibly do?"
The theatrical season continues good.
The king and other members of the
royal family are frequently seen in the
boxes. The king was present last even
ing at the performance of "MademOi-
selle Mars" at the Imperial theatre and
vigorously applaCded Mrs. Langtry.
New Plays Brought Out.
Three new plays have marked this
week, Mixed Relations" at the Roy
atty, 'The Heel OF Achilles" at the
Globe and The New Clown" at Terry's.
The latter will be produced tonight.
Mixed Relations" has been severely
criticised as being but a poor version
of "Divorcon."
The Heel of Achilles" by Louis Par
ker and Boyle Lawrence is a rather
interesting Anglo Russian political play
in which international relations. espec-
tally Russian designs on India. form
the pldt. Julia Nelson and Fred Terry
take the leading parts.
LondOn's two American plays. "Sher-
lock Holmes" and Arizona" continue
to draw good houses. The Sherlock
Holmes" companies are already playing
in the provinces, and two more win
start soon. They are all e0uipped with
American machinery Tghr effect
Sherlock Holmes VIII be produced AT
St Petersburg and Copenhagen. Feb
TO- 1t is already being played in Am
Sterdam, and the scenery for the vi
emma production is now being prepared
in London. August Van Biene. at the
Princess theatre, tonight ceiebra tes
the 2,5O0th performance of THE Broken
Melody"