The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1907-08-28

One of the most interesting phases
of the rapidly developing interna-
tionalism of the theater is the growth
of the project for exploiting English
speaking actors in Paris. During the
summer-at one time and another
there have been more American the
atrical managers in the French capt.
tai than in the British; and among
the men who have given this ques-
ton careful consideration Charles
Frohman. Oscar Hammerstein and
George Tyler of Messrs. Liebler &
Co. are perhaps as prominent as any.
There is, of course, the matter of
profit to be dealt with first. Censors
of .commercialism" in art will con-
cede that. But Charles Frohman be-
lieves there are Americans enough
in Paris between May l > and July
to furnish a substantial backing
financially for a well-handled under
taking. The personal popularity of
Miss Maude Adams, for instance, not
to mention actresses like Miss Barry
more and Miss Robson, would be suf-
ficient in all probability to ensure a
promoter against serious loss on an
engagement for month or SO at the
period indicated, were there none but
American patronage to foster it. If
her health will stand the strain, it is
not unlikely that Miss Adams will be
presented in Paris next May, after
the end of her American season.
Mr.. Frohman has discussed the
general principle repeatedly with rep
resentatiye French managers, and re-
Gently he has raised it in a more def
mite way than before. They tell him
he is not in error in thinking that
large percentage of educated Paris
ians would be glad of an opportunity
to study the methods of American ac-
tors in Paris houses. This desire
would be to no small degree irrespec-
tive of the merits of the plays them
selves, though the literary factor
must count heavily in another sort of
appraisal.
In support of his view Mr. Froh-
man can cite the experience of Miss
Olga Nethersole. Hundreds of
Frenchmen who could not follow her
English text critically were able to
appreciate her histrionism. The Paris
critics, though condemning her meth
DDS as oyer-elabOrate at times, enjoy
ed what the Temps reviewer called
her fine sweep" and the breadth
of her Imagination" Leading men of
letters, artists and politicians went to
see her performances and without re-
serve commended many of her stage
traits. Are there not half a dozen
American actresses whose refine
ments and subtilities would appeal
even more seductively?
Mr.. Hammerstein' cosmopolitan
ism comes out never SO boldly as
when a topic of this nature is broach-
ed to him. Would that | were 10
years younger" he laments For
then | would do two things besides
becoming a vegetarian, ike Shaw. |
would found popular opera in Lon
don and | would get lease of Paris
theatre and bring forward American
talent. Take play like 'Raffles.'
The French enjoy a good detective
novel or newspaper story. | believe
they would enjoy Secret Service
Is it not likely that they would find
the methods of William Gillette in
teresting psychologically?
New Workers who have friends in
the American colony in Paris say that
men like James Stillman, James Ha-
zen Hyde and Ambassador White
would throw their great influence in
French social life in favor of dis
Greet exploitation of American play
ers in Paris. Possibly the thing may
be brought TO pass without waiting
for Richard Mansfield to sing his
swan song in Nine. Bernhardt's thea
ter in a joint appearance with the
French actress in "Cyrano de Berge-
rae
For few hours Henry Clay Frick
was at his New York office yesterday
after an absence of more than
month. His arrival caused every Wall
Street operator to prick up ears.
Wherever this financier puts in an
appearance the speculative fraternity
believes something will be done that
is worth tie doing. No other Ameri-
can capitalist has advanced toward
broad powers in the world of specu-
lation more rapidly than he during
the last 8 months. AS to no other is
there more curiosity in circles where
the personal equation counts in big
security operations.
1t would go without saying that
Mr.. Prick is not understood by many
people. This is commonplace of the
financial district. He is secretiye,
even when com m icativa Eow MON