Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-11-19

k0nl urn Of Omaha people who go to
S4 the theater-that &C.. Of those who
went 70 the theater. for several thousand
Of our citizens unne cessarily deprived them
selves Of the pleasure Of seeing what every
body who did sec il voted the most enter
taining comedy Of recent experience. II
Isn't a great play. but 1t is a human ma
ture play, and its touches are those that
make the whole world kin. The company
headed by Guy Bates Post is a splendid
organization and the whole affair from be-
ginning 70 end is most satisfying ar
rangement Francis wilson's visit at the
end Of the week was short, and in a play
that Is hardly worthy the serious attention
ne has bestowed on it. Mr.. Fitch did not
Aake Mr. Wilson's measure very accurately
when the comedy which is not at all comic,
save when 1t verges on the farcical, was
being tailored. Mr.. Wilson is earnestly
trying to get away from musical comedy
Glowing, and to make for himself a place
In the upper ranks Of the profession. Be
tween the death of some and the ambition
Of others, the list If American comedians
has been much depleted during the last
few years, and Francis Wilson will find
plenty Of room IL he succeeds in making
his endeavor good. He has generally been
accepted, so far, but has before him the
i''ui III VI tApelltuCt OF lie W OIL Hopper,
who made the same trial some years ago.
Mr.. Hopper sought to give over his foolish
capers in musical comedies, and with "Dr.
Syntax' tried to compel recognition as a
comedian. Three seasons Of a futile strug-
gle convinced him that his public wanted
him In something where he could frolc in
his elephantine way, and cut ponderous
monkeyshines for the purpose OF evoking
laughter. Even the most discriminating OF
audiences would not be content with Mr..
Pickwick." 1t did not have enough Of
foolery in it., and so in desperation Mr..
Hopper went back to Wang" and Casey, -
with the result that theaters were again
packed with crowds who laughed till their
sides ached at nonsense and absurdities
they would not tolerate from any one but
Hopper The people would not let him be
serious, and It remains to be demonstrated
yet II they will let Francis Wilson be
serious. For the sake of the stage, which
needs comedians of his apparent caliber,
1t Is to be hoped he will be accepted and
approved In his new undertaking.
.
The Conreid National Theater with the
largest Of capitals) has all the attention
Just at present in New York. 1t goes with
out saying that the plan has what so many
ambitious managers seek in vain metro
1olitan endorsement" To an outsider,
who will be classed as provincial" in the
event of the Conreid plan maturing, the
scheme lacks the elements of attractiveness
IL appears more like a big speculation on
the part of the impressario, and one in
which he takes no risk. He made the
metropolitan Opera success, along ex-
actly the lines he proposes for the Nat
ional Theater, but that the opera is in
raf
claimed by its most enthusiastic support
ers Given the theater. Mr.. Conreid and
his unnamed hacker propose, with the list
of box holders properly vised by the COM
mittee of New York society women, and
the other seats parceled out among the
socially eligible, a company of players
selected by these directors and a list OF
plays approved by the committee of college
professors, the question of nationality still
remains unsolved. How much interest will
the thousands OF thousands of people, who
can not be Accommodated at the theater
have in its affairs? WIN not the great
democratic public of the United State.
be likely to view IL much as the societ,
doings at Newport, where Harry Leh
capers at monkey dinner. or some simla
.ditying exhibition, are viewed? National
means something in America, and it doesn'
mean that coterie OF New York million
aires represents the word in any sense
Ihey may establish the Conreid theateI
and may give 1t such support as will max
1t fine source of profit to Mr.. Conrei
or someone else, but II isn't likely tina
they will succeed in making II national
in any sense.
With due Difference to the New Yor
gentlemen who are so complacently takin
to themselves the privilege Of setting tn
pace for the art and literature of tn
nation, 1t is just as well to remember tina
some very good actors have been accepte
by the country at large who are unknow
'on Broadway" and not a few plays hav
been very successful ION the road" tina
were turned down in the metropolis An
the converse is equally true. 1t is a differ
ence in taste and temperament Anythin
that will tend to forward the cause {
art and literature will meet the approvs
Of thinking people. but the Conreid pla
hardly seems to tend in that direction
1t has the single advantage that il wi
AFFORD a place where plays Of apparer
merit may be given a trial under the be,
of conditions, and what is good will /
determined for the uses OF the country
large. 1t may also serve to develop taller
in acting. and thus provide a higher grad
ut ability for the companies that tour Il
country. This function will be Of impo
lance, but will hardly entitle the theat,
to be called national"
-
Those New York critics whose opinion
are really worth while have hailed pet,
PAN and Maude Adams in the role as
triumph for the combined genius OF Il
author and the actress. Mr.. Barrie say
he was inspired TO the writing OF the pla
by Miss Adams personality, and her ere
tion Of the role has been denominated a
achievement exceeding that Of Babbie
the other Barrie play that made her +
nous. 1t is a whimsical product OF
fancy that is untrammeled and brings o.
those pictures of Never Never Ian,
that linger always in the mind OF any Of
who was ever boy or girl. The Barr
humor was never shown better and Il
company selected to support Miss Adar
has entered so thoroughly into the spil
OF the play that il is nightly delightli
thousands. What source of genuine cor
fort It is to know that amid all the di
cussion OF the so-called problems OF e
.stence some one will take the time al
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