The Washington herald., 1907-12-29
The English National Theater.

At the same time that there Is grow
ing sentiment that the American stage is
steadily on the decline. owing not only
10 changes In the public taste. but also
10 the fact that there seem 70 be no ac-
tors nowadays worthy of filing the high
places vacant, there crops up. every now
and again, talk of the possibility of
founding a national theater in America
Weather this movement is ever TO crys-
taliZe and take form Is matter for the
future 10 tell. but no lover of the drama
but must wish most sincerely that some
thing might be done to foster an art
than which none has a wider influence
or more direct appeal to the people
In England. where the movement to-
ward the establishment Of a national
theater has been under discussion for a
great number of years, it would seem
that at last practical result is In sight.
and funds are now being raised to carry
out a scheme, which had the approval
OF Sir Henry Irving, Sir Squire Ban
croft, Mrs. D'Oyly Carte. John Hare,
Henry Arthur Jones, and Arthur Wing
Pinero. 1t is proposed TO secure a site
a theater building 10 cost $4,000 is to be
erected. A guarantee fund Of $4,000 Is
also TO be provided. The amount re-
quired TO start the project is SI,65O.OOO.
AS the scheme is outlined the Englis',
National Theater is 10 be managed by a.
board Of trustees Of fifteen members
The Universities of Oxford. Cambridge
-
nate one member each; two members
would be nominated by the county coun-
ell, and the remaining nine by the donor
or donors Of the site and building. The
trustees would appoint a director and a
general staff. The director would have
control OF everything in connection with
the engagement Of actors, the casting Of
parts. and so. but he would have moth
ing 70 do with the selection Of plavs
which would be left to a literary man
ager. The finances would be cared for
by business manager No play would
be accepted that was not read and passed
by reading committee OF three.
The company of the national theater
Is to consist of forty-two actors and
twenty-four actresses, their salaries con-
slsunS partly Of a Txed annual salary
and partly Of fees paid for each per
formance. Each regular member Of the
company would be engaged for three
years. and it is figured that the salary
list, including supermaster and supernu-
meraries. would amount TO $4,000.
says the Era, The Standing reper-
torie OF the theater would include select
ed plays from Shakespeare. Ben John
sons Every Man in His Humor.' Con-
srieve's Love FOR Love, Money Caste .
Trelawney of the Wells, and translations
or Moliere's Don Juan and .FranciIIon ,
Brieux's Robe Rouge Sudermann's To-
hannisfeuer, and "PelIeas and AIelisande >
Mr. Frederick Fenn's Judged By Ap-
pearances,' and Sudermann's Fritz
schen.'"
SO far, indeed. has the plan for the
establishment Of a national theater IN
England gone, The scheme has awaited
the rich donor for many years. and he
has not displayed himself, and now II is
proposed TO ask for popular subscriptions
at 30 apiece, and If these flow in In suffi-
Client quantities the plan will be carried
out. 1t is a fine ideal. and It Is 10 be
hoped that 1t will succeed. for a national
theater established in England would
give fine impetus TO the establishment
or a similar enterprise on this side of
the water