Omaha daily bee., 1906-06-10

I1tHesHN ayers from making them. Just
- now the various heads Of the
theater interests OF the United States are
lying awake nights, getting ready for next
season. and each promises to give some
thing worth while TO the public. Last
season was one OF much prosperity in the
cast and was fairly good in the west.
Onaha had about the worst deal of anv
city OF Importance in the country. the rea-
son Tor which Is not apparent. eltber %
the local public or management For sorns
uhaccountable cause the directors Of tba
several tours seemed to forget that tbers
was Sueh place on the map. But. at
mat several OF the most important Offer
hss OF the winter were shown here. ana a
-, IeVie" OF the situation leads to the
Vp,n l'' that omaha didn't fare as badly as
made 1t look dull. and people are nrono -
iorset the good and remember the hal
just as IN shakespcare's time,
.
ost every player Of Importance has
guns INTO summer retirement with thu
manuscript OF new play, and those who
nave not are nearly all expecting 10 ba FUR
nishsd with one very soon. Maude Adams
ABOUT the only notable exception TO this
RUE She has just closed a remarkably
long engagement Of thirty-fve weeks IN
Feter Pan In New York, and will 90 for
tour OF the country with this Barrie fan
.1Sy next season. Omaha is to see her I'm
poyS clothes and will be glad OF the on
portunity. The announcements made indi-
cate mat comedy OF the modern tyne is
sun to be favored above all other things
on the stage. Very few serious PLAYS are
being undertaken and these are on topics
remotely II at all, connected with the prob
lens that clamor for solution This dis
Greet avoidance Of the possible clash with
puphc sentiment argues that the producing
managers have learned their lesson. and
that they are content to follow rather than
direct public opinion. The problem play is
not In evidence anywhere and about the
only genuine discussion of any of the social
or Industrial questions will be THE Lion
ana the Mouse" which lie to be kept before
the public. This inconseuuential presenta-
ton OF the socialistic aspect Of the wealth
problem is TO run all summer in both New
York and Chicago and will go on the road
again next season for another tour OF the
country. 1t hos also been taken TO London
where 1t Is now being offered with great
success. The popularity of this play is n
most excellent example Of the willingness
OF the public to accept Oh the stage those
things that deal with the really vital. uucs-
lions of life. Dramatists have made the
mistake Of conceiving that all that Is vital
and important subsists in the relation Of
the sexes, and have devoted their energies
to a debate of the one world-oId question
and have missed a field that is far more
fruitful and just as inviting.
One OF the encouraging signs is the es-
Establishment Of stock companies thrAuehout
the country. This is not necessarily 10 he
taken as renaissance, but rather as an
Indication of a desire on the part of the
managers to furnish amusement to a larqe
number Of people who cannot otherwise
be reached. Tickets OF admission for the
better class of plays have been advanced
10 inquire that is beyond the reach OF
many who do not care for the class of
plays AFFORDED at popular prices" but who
DO want to attend le theater For these
the stock companies, such as that at the
Burwood last winter, offer an ideal eondi-
ton The best Of plays are offered at a
cost that is reasonable, and under condi-
uons that are appropriate and ENJOYABLE.
Inc hght expenses make 1t possible for the
management to secure players who are
capable of handling the best works intelIi-
gently at least, and give satisfactory ner-
tormances of pieces made popular nv the
great stars In this way a great class of
tne public is now being provided with first
Grass amusement at the theaters, and nm
der conditions that will surely be of bene6t
TO the stage in the long run.
Before the Society Of Ethical Culture NJ
New York City Otis Skinner recently de-
uvered lecture on THE Ethics Of the
Theater" Among other things he said;
~ the manner Of the theater is to be re-
beneficent influence for All art is ,tnI,ttl
ing. WITHOUT II we should go down the
S Sgwsys ,t 81 sSiStenee for the most part and
expression OF emotion, and that of the
tneater Is the most emotional of arts. A
man sometimes leaves his brains at hoL.e
when he enters theater, but he always
Or rgs MS emotions and sympathies.
Inc stage has many detractors "It does
not represent real life" says one. stage
play should never De mistaken for real life
ydS into aStqsl fact All art that deceived
terlor and comparatively worthless
another charge brought against the the
It does II represents virtue; why not vice?
saiviPPf so pIsve a. net ragons Of virtue;
that inspired pity ard sympathy. In Mac
beth" we have murder, but It is the ambi-
ton and remorse We feel.
That the drama makes for greater Gull
ture and more interesting views OF life in
the community is unquestioned; that it's
purpose is moral is established by the tena-
city OF IT'S existence. AL true art is edu-
eating ana uplifting.
When the great fire OF Chicago ate up
away the thestsr buildings as well. For a
period after JIie catastrophe--as Is the case
In all such public 1aiamites-crime foi-
lowed in its wake. Thievery and debauch
became rampant After few weeks a
hastily constructed play house threw open
its doors to the relief OF a sorrowing com
munlty. on the day following the opening
the manager was met by the city chief OF
police who congratulated him and said
'Your business last night caused mine to
fall OF 50 per cent this morning"
We lead busy, struggling strenuous lives
here In America The theater should bring
proper repose to the busy man and make
lis satisfying appeal TO his artistic sense.
AS Is the character OF the community and
the age so is its theater. II the public
selects the trashy play or exposition on
which to lavish its favor IL Is because that
portion OF the public possesses cheap and
trashy minds and uncultivated tastes, We
cannot blame them, but we can educate
them
At the New York Roof Gardens.
NEW YORK, June 9.-Summer has come.
and with II the opening OF sthe roof gar
den season. Hammerstein's Victoria roof
garden and the garden above tbs New
Amsterdam have commenced operations. On
Tuesday evening 'Wistaria Grove" or TO
put II in plain English, the New York The
alter roof garden, was opened to the public.
The most classic OF them aiI In all proba-
bflity, was that OF Mr.. Hammerstein's the