New-York tribune., 1905-11-25
NOT A NATIONAL THEATRE
National Art Theatre Society Not
Satisfied zoith Conried Scheme.

In view of the recent publication of the plans lot
the building of theatre in New-York to be calieo
the Matt NAL Theatre. 1t has been asked IN many
quarters what position the National Art Theatre
Society would assume. The ques,on was taken up
at recent meeting OF the board of directors anu
Joseph l. c. Clark, the president of the society
was asked to lay before the public a statement OF
the society's position.
This statement after outlining afresh the So
cietys plan for s. 50ooe0o theatre dramatic schooi
and library supported by all classes and endowed
by contributions from all classes, and presided over
by directo" elected by "a representative body
goes to say:
Finally it che National Theatre) is to be devoted
entirely to the drama in all its proper manifesto
lions Looking over the bare outlines of The Ie go
ciety's aims Ii should be difficult to dineren-
se them from the plan lar put put rgcn in IN the he Net
ropolitan Opera House The enterprise for Tniea I,
II is stated that site has been purchased and dn
apiece as soon as they are selected as proper box
holders by committee of society ladies' is TO T foT
profit This feature is not to be quarrelied VIII WIN
out any pretence Of serving artistic or social
purposes, but it is not the sign OF a national
The scheme lacks also the DISTINCTIVE and neseS
housed nste fe of f5eatrc art on broad national
basis more serious point of difference IS me a
at the theatre viii be comic opera-such light opera
as finds itself out Of place at the he n1eg MeToPes sae
the drama furnishes 20 per cent Of e the pp9f d
lines should find the drama in its trenendeeus Gus
range suficlng The National Art Theatre 30,
cjetys ideal differs radically from the proposed
confusing of comic opera with the classic drama
unrelated undignif1ed and inexpedient-
The further repertory of Mr.. Conrieds theatre
reads like excerpt from the manual Of the Ma
tional Art Theatre Society, and so far 1t is ex,
cellent but misses in II anything which at all
No collection Of European classics in the roper
tory will enttle II that designation The hold
ing open of its stage doors foreign actors how
ever good. is the way OF proving its title 70
the word national frosty and occasional vel
come to the American playwright seems the only
trace of concession TO the term
No one will deny Mr. Conried's ability as man
ager for does he already direct the German
Theatre and the Metropolitan Opera House? Ano
why not a third enterprise of like character Iot
like ends? His ability and his good faith are not
questioned but 70 be national" 10 be unce4hi-
rerciaI in aim and effect, II must be the question
of a basic principle and policy above personaIlty.
In closing this partial disclosure Of the hkeness
and the difference I would like 70 add tnet Iae
National Art Theatre Society welcomes TINS erl-
dence that its spirit is abroad 1t would nov Puos
lish ANYTHING to deter impede an EFFORT to"aLa 70
building playhouse which offers some prospect u
an approach to it's ideals but it would serlouslgg
and nsstently ask all those who may De =!
in furnishing the funds for 1t 10 see II IL y aoe
possible frankly and fully to broaden the done
10 really national dimensions II tnat were CON-
large as well as of the parade grounos oI
fashionable life if II placed under a govern
ment that reflected the art life as wei as l.e
financial force of great city. II would ehlisI
every American lover Of the dramatic art IN lIs