The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-06-30

trance of principal is assisted by a
throng of dashing beauties, and It is
customary for handsome ballet to
appear as backing" to the singer
of some ballad of dubious merit.
The American stage was, until quite
recently, controlled by the theatrical
syndicate under the management of
Charles FrOhman. Three or four years
ago split occurred through the seces-
sion of David Belasco. AS the acknowl-
edged best producer of plays in
America, Belasco had been q tower of
strength to the trust His detection
caused other managers to withdraw
from the syndicate, among their num-
Der the Shubert's, who have managed
many prominent artists, including
Bernhard and Henry w. Savage.
leading operate entrepreneur. Every
season the oppositionists gain strength,
their only drawback being the lack Of
theaters, which was strikingly in
stanced few nights ago, when Bern
hardt was compelled to play in a tent
This combination now handles" such
artists as Mrs. Leslie Carter, Blanche
Bates, David Warf1eld, Margaret An
glin, and large number of lesser
fav0urites. But while the Independent
managers possess some of the great
est artists, and produce some of the
best plays, the syndicate remains very
powerful. Its recognised head, Mr..
Charles Frohman, is indisputably the
leading theatrical manager in the
world. He owns the largest number of
theaters, controls the greatest con-
stellation of STARS" and has the first
call upon the works of the most famous
dramatists. Among those whose pens
are always active in the interests of
his management are iPinero, Barrie,
Henry Arthur Jones, Augustus
Thomas, Clyde Fitch, and the irrepres-
sible George Bernard Shaw. Mr..
FrOhman now has a strong foothold
in London, and spares no expense In
counting success. He allows his play
wrights enormous retaining fees, in
addition to their royalties, which vary
from 5 to Is per cent. of the gross pro-
ceeds. Yet 1t Ia notorious fact that
the best writer's have failed to do them.
selves justice under these conditions.
I Mr.. Frohman's most successful at
traction Is Maude Adams, an artist OF
exceptional charm; while among the
long list of favourites under his direc-
ton are John Drew, Edna, Maxine
Elliott, Nat Goodwin. Olga Nethersole.
e. H. SOthern, Julia Marlowe; Robert
Edeson, William Collier, Richard
Faversham; Robert Lorraine. and
Blanche Walsh. He also has the CO.
operation of Richard Mansfield. the
Irving of America, and manages the
majority Of English fayourites who
visit the states. "a. 34 Y.
II Afiliated with Mr.. Frohman In the
" Syndicate" are Q number of other
managers, notable among them being
Klaw and Erlanger, Chas. Dillingham;,
Daniel Frohman, William Harris,
Liebler and Co, George Lederer, and
William A. Brady. Owning, as they do,
the majority Of theaters in all the
cities or the Uaited States, the,
sstBynditate,r are able TO exclude any
outside management unless their de-
Smands are satisfied. These usually
consist In the payment OF about per
cent. Of the proceeds for the good
will Of the trust, the manager having
to pay rent and all other expenses 40
we'll: 10 that every night the "syndi-
cate" receives an enormous sum from
companies paying for the privilege Of
appearing under their auspices. II H.
generally considered advisable to pay
this charge rather than antagonist the
ruling power. lsss
Lacking artists conception, or even
rood lasts, % The maj ority Of Ameri-s
3 can plays DO. It u wonderful the
amount of money which u expended
upon them. Consuming ID the chief
4 LIBERATION. One Of the most im-j