Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1902-01-07

associated with Mr.. Frohman IN ell
probability-that is. il present negotia
tiuns do not fall through-will be Mr.
Maurice Grau as an interested party
n the MAN and NJ. Constant Coquelin
IN the Sytistic direction Of the house
Ar. Fro6man wiz give over one of his
{ Kew York theeters to the company
ana mike II permanent home for
the French GAama In New York.
1T is 4 pltpF said Mr.. Frohman to a
e,a demands srss' &c, s.s9 Ssss ,s.s
Tract4Sned from all the theatrical
the sa8ees the plays Of London.
fiA aoon. Vienna. Rome and other
C txI4lFg5uced on its boards. 1t has
to- <evUsth enters here. and why
nofN1sFrea6A theater as well. especially
wheR II sSfseiembered that the stage
Of Francrs<ssld America are in close
touch: taat the Gallo plays are produc-
ed here with great success and leading
French actors are heartily welcomed
and draw crowded houses?
Everywhere one hears French spo-
ken in New York. French recitals and
lectures are given in fashionable draw
ing rooms. Harvard, Yale and other col
leges give plays in French. and when
'LAigiOn was played here and hbret-
tos We're sold in English and French it
was the French edition that had the
largest sale. Is not the time ripe for
the establishment of a French theater
in New York? I believe so and l am
going to undertake it.
1T will not be done. however in any
half and half way. That sort of thing
never succeeds in New York l have
nothing in mind but the best when this
company is formed. don't want any
actors that ought to, leave France, but
those who cannot well be spared. 4
hope TO have Mr.. Maurice Grau inter
ested with me In the project and have
talked 1t over with him. In fact il was
he who brought me and II. Coquelin to-
gether while l was abroad. and l have
asked NJ. Coquelin to take the artistic
direction Of the house and to act him
self If he Will. l expect shortly to have
NJ. Coquelin's definite answer. and l
trust ii will be Yes"
Asked which of his theaters would
be devoted TO the new project. Mr..
Frohmap said he preferred not to men,
ton the name at present. but that ii
would be one OF the best of his houses.
Yes" said Mr.. Grau when he was
asked as to his interest in the estab-
1ishment OF French theater in New
York. yes Mr.. Frohman and I have
talked the matter over. and l am free
to say AT once that I shall be happy to
subscribe TO such project Mr.. Froh-
man. NJ Coqueiin and | met and dis
cussed il together. and we are all much
interested in the matter. Nine. Bern
hardt. too. has been of the opinion that
a permanent French theater in an Eng
lish spea king city like London or New
York should be established. In fact
she wanted me to become associated
with her in such n plan for London
playing in the company herself now
u nd again.
las TO the dollars and cents OF such
an undertaking as Mr.. Frohman pro-
poses. as 10 whether il would be pay
ing affair AT once. | am not prepared TO
say But should not sentiment. artistic
sympathy, play some part in our the /
b trical lives2 Should we not venture /
10 give this great city so de- I
sirable an innovation-an innovation at
least for this generation-as a theater /
In which New York can hear French |
kSccesses Of the day in the French