Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-16
The Foreign Stage.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
LONDON, December 4, 1903.
Perhaps the terrific and well-nigh uni
versal stating "Julie Bonbon" has received
in London will be good discipline for Amer
lean theatrical managers, although 1t
rather hurts the feelings of Americans In
London. William Archer, who knows and
admirers the United States, and who I'M
doubtedly would rather praise than blame
any American play, says he thinks 1t pity
that this play was ever sent across the At
lantic because whatever is said Of Its adap-
liability to the requirements Of English
audiences is bound to strengthen the idea
that there is a prejudice here against
American plays and players. There Is no
hatred Of American plays in England. but
the more demonstrative part OF an English
audience Is not used to the accent OF some
of the American players who are sent to
England and in some cases actually can
not understand all that Is said. Further
more outside Of musical comedy, where 1t
doesn't matter much what Is said or how 1t
is said, the English audience requires a
definite logical, clean-cut plot There are,
in almost every season, several American
plays that would be welcomed In London II
only they could be presented by American
actors with some understanding and toler-
ance for London's pecularities
The DOCS acCOrQeO Clara 1lplUdu anu
Louis Mann on the first night of Julie
Bonbon" at the Waldorf this week were
scarcely fair, any more than the criticisms
In the London papers the next morning.
But the play was so indefinite and Illogical,
30 full of local illusions and customs that
an English audience wouldn't be likely to
understand, and was interpreted, so Tar as
minor members Of the company were con-
cerned. by actors so ill-suited in voice and
style to English notions. that the work of
the two principals was swallowed up in the
general expression Of disapproval.
here and 1.-THE Lion and the Mouse was
q complete failure; yet to this day "Ari-
zona" is mentioned by London theater
goers as one Of the best plays seen in Lon
don for years; and as for 1.-THE Lion and
the Mouse" I have yet to hear of an intel
ligent and experienced English critic, pro-
fessional or amateur. who has not had high
praise for the play, as apart from the
company. But both Of these capital dramas
were given by companies that had not been
chosen-in part, at least-wfth q view to
English tastes, particularly In the matter
of accent. AS a result, Breeze. who can
compare favorably with any English actor
In force, sincerity and all-round dramatic
ability. was disconnected by smokers from
the gallery at times when the situations In
1.-THE Lion and the Mouse" were most
tense. If he had been at the trouble to go
into training beforehand and tone down
what were to the English gallery gods
iaughable pecuIiarities in speech and mah-
ner. there would have been no question
about his London success Also. II some
American actress with more London expe-
rience than Miss Ellington had taken the
principal part In the play-Eleonor Robson.
for instance-it is safe to assert that Klein's
stirring play never would have come to
grief In England
II only little more intelligence were
used in the choice OF American plays and
DlayerS for exportat don to London, there