Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1907-02-18
His ambitious undertaking

own ENDS. HIS amDltlOuS Undertaking
will require a much larger investment
and will not be launched until he be-
lieves himself financially able to win
success and so well grounded in the
confidence of the people that his Of
ferings will be assuredly successful on
his presentation.
Concerning Shakespeare's works they
are to him as to many others. a most
delightful study and he believes in
their Incompatible value in education
al work. He has found a growing
sentiment in this direction and often
he finds high schools and other insti-
tutions Of learning preparing in ad-
vance of his engagements. by special
study Of the plays announced, to take
advantage of the opportunity to see
depicted in life and action, that which
has been studiously pursued in the
school room. This he believes to be a
great help to the student and inciden-
tally it is a help to him in a business
way. While a company would starve
to death on school patronage alone.
that patronage aids very materially in
general business success. This sug-
gested to him also the criticism that
he sometimes hears. that the plays
should not be so heartlessly cut as is
sometimes found necessary in
their production; that the text should
be fully reproduced. Such criticism
usually comes from the real student Of
Shakespeare and it is necessary then
to remind him that after all is said
and done concerning art, the theater
is still a business and the major part
of its patrons attend it to be enter
tanned. rather than as students. To
that end art must sometimes be sacri-
feed and the dry passages eliminated.
And all these facts eliminate in an
idea that is not original with Mr.. Han
ford. but Of which he is an enthusi-
astic supporter. That is a national
theater. supported by the state. some
what after the manner Of those in the
old world. but with as much improve
ment as America thinks she has made
in everything else in which old world
ideas have been adopted or improved
upon. He recognizes the weaknesses
Of the London. Partisan and German
theaters but he believes nevertheless
that the idea is right if the faults can
be removed. His idea Of a national
theater is one devoted most religiously
to art and education, rather than to
money making. for it would be main
tanned in part at least by the govern
mcnt. II would not be an institution
for the closing of all other theaters.
but would make for the raising Of the
standard at all. 1t should not be he said
an institution whose benefits would be
entirely enjoyed by the city in which
it was located, but it would he his
suggestion that from this great Ma
tion4l theater. artists OF accredited
ability and capable support could for
instance be employed by large insti-
tutioHs of learning for a reasonable
consideration, to journey to this place
or that for the special production Of
masterpieces as a finishing touch to
previous literary studies wherein the
authors work had been carefully con-
sidered
Mr.. Hanford related how on an Oc-
casion not so very long ago. when he
was a guest with others of the board
of trade Of Washington. his home city.
at Il picnic and shad bake. he took
occasion to put in a good word or a
plug" as the politician would say.
for a national theater. where he had
hoped it might possibly do some good.
Among the guests Of the day was
Speaker Cannon Of the house of rep
resentatives. and Mr. HanfOrd ad-
dressed himself quite directly to that
gentleman. without of course calling
any names. He dwelt upon the desir-
ability Of a national theater as in
dicated above only more comprehen-
sively. and called attention to the
presence OF distinguished guests who
might at this time, or if not now at
some time in the not distant future.
be in a position to give much aid and
encouragement to such a worthy
project.
Mr.. Hanford did not indicate yes
terday his preferences or his convic-
tions. respecting political succession
i'm this land but he did leave a very
clear impression that should Uncle
Joe chance to be the next president.
if he were moved to signalize his ad-
by the establishment of a
national theater. no objections would
be filed by Mr.. Hanford.