The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-07-10
London Season.
Proved as Bad as the American Which
Preceded It.

Preceded II.
The theatrical season in London. II
reports are to be relied upon, has been
little if any better than the season in
New York Numerous cable dispatches
TO American papers lately have dwelt
upon the poor business done by London
theaters, and English papers have dis
cussed the subject with speculations as
TO the causes OF a lack of public in
terest in contemporary drama.
One explanation of the lack OF patron
age at the London theaters relates to
the game of bridge" which is declared
TO be 1.-The leading anti-theatrical in
fiuence. This would seem to be absurd
in ordinary circumstances, but the
craze over this game is said to be gem
eral and 10 involve all classes of peo-
pie and all grades of society. AT the
workmen's clubs" says one correspond
ent, ''as well as those of the aristocrats.
in Whitechapel as well as In Belgravia
the bridge mania is holding undisputed
sway"
When the theater, which under nor
NAL conditions should present a great
variety of interest, finds itself in in
effective competition with card game.
matters surely have co.ae TO a pretty
pass. But the theater in London. as
well as the theater in New York, EVIL
IDENTIFY is not in normal condition. The
ohronicler who notes the supremacy of
bridge as an amusement adds: But the
prime cause is the wretched level to
which the drama has fallen There is
not at the moment being performed in
all London's vast array Of theaters a
single noteworthy new production. Play
after play has failed OF late, and the
losses OF theatrical managers are be-
coming serious. They are falling back
On the old successes owing to the dearth
OF novel works Of merit. yet stin gap
ing rows of empty benches denote the
indifference of the public" In this pic
ture there is an amazing resemblance
10 the conditions that prevailed for
much of the season in New York, ana
that FASTENED its close.
The English provinces are more con-
gested in population than the touring
territories In this country. having a
larger number OF towns OF considerable
size, while the distances 10 be covered
between cities are smaller than here
making conditions more favorable for
I travelling companies Yet from all re-
ports. the season In the English prov
/ inces has been even more disastrous
than in London. and thus the general
comparison as between Great Britain
and the United States for the theatrical
year seems 10 show that the season
abroad has been at least as bad as the
season here. II it has not been worse.
| writer in the London Referee" SAYS
/ that never before has business beer
/ so discouraging; never did tours 50
I summary cease; never were there Sc
many artists out as at the present time
For months past companies. medium
! great. and small. have been disbanding
/ at the rate of eight or ten week on the
average. with nothing In front Of tn,
disconsolate crowds but long, wear,
wait until August" Nothing but the IA
nous star, or the latest London sue
| cess. says this writer takes big money
in the provincial theater today, and will
the great attraction the expenses ar.
/ so enormous that the profits are no
/ nearly so large as the public is led Il
suppose.-Dramatic Mirror.