The Washington herald., 1907-01-13

ton for viewing its condition
with alarm so long as actors
like Mr.. E. .. willard, presenting the
class of plays he presents. can draw to
their performances audiences of the size
and character of those that thronged the
National Theater the past week. 1t Is
true Mr.. Willard Is an EngHshman, but
the patronage he secures not only in
Washington but wherever he chooses 70
appear IN the United States proves be-
yond question there is with US a demand,
and a large one. for high class, whole
some, ennobling plays worth an evening
of any ones time TO witness when ade-
quately performed. And there are Ameri-
can actors who are striving honestly and
intelligently 10 meet this demand. ana
they can be depended on TO do it, If not
with the brilliancc and power Of Mr.. VIII
lard, at least with a respectable approx
nation thereto. They have his respect
for and love OF their art and they are
working earnestly and wisely along the
lines that have given him the high and
honorable place in the stage world he
has occupied for so many years They
are not working down 70 the mob. as
Wilton Lackaye put it recently. They
are trying 10 work up to their ideals
And from the patronage such actor-mana-
gers as Mr.. Willard secure there fsn't
a question there is a numerous and
generous public ready TO give them warm
and hearty support. The appetite for
the Stiffness and hashiness Of musical
comedy may look alarmingly like a dan
gerous disease likely 10 spread to the
entire theater-going public. But this cant
happen so long as there is a considerable
section Of the public that preserves q
vigorous liking for performances such as
those given by Mr.. Willard and actors
of his rank.
There is a possibility that Mr.. Willard
may not again be seen on the American
stage TO which he has contributed so
much that Is valuable, elevating. and en-
pertaining during the dozen SEASONS he
has been crossing the water To visit rs
win the single exception Of the late
Henry Irving, no foreign player has been
as welcome or has become so closely
many he is practically an American actor.
and II he fails to return in the future he
VIII be missed and deeply regretted. In a
recent talk Mr.. Willard indicated that his
plans for the future were indefinite He
limited 1t was by no means unlikely he
might decide TO retire, while II was almost
certain he would take Il long rest from
touring. i do not like the ineessant
rush from city to city" he said. which
IS not only nerve-racking and temper
perFertng, but is-at least from nv point
OF VleW-inimical to dramatic art. ana I
never was In love with a mere money
grubbing existence" Mr. Willard no
doubt has accumulated handsome com
petence during his many years Of hard
and highly successful work. and IS
fortunately able TO consult mis- own fr-
eHnatlons for the future. After his re-
turn to England in April, he expects TO
so on a long loafing tour among the
Italian cities. Beyond that he has no
dennite plans, according to his published
statement
II in the end he decides to abandon his
professional career or to confne his
efforts TO the London stage he will long
De gratefully remembered in the United
States for the fine portrayals Of charac-
tiers that are worth while which he has
bestowed on US during his visits. He has
never attempted anything not worthy Of
his high ideals and rare powers. and he
has succeeded In all he has undertaken
lie mas never sacrificed his artistic prln-
ciples TO mere money making. but has
always found II possible TO win a gener-
Gus support for productions that were at
once wholesome uplifting, and artistic
ally worth while This ne has been
able TO do because Of the exceptional his
trionic talent nature bestowed on him.
and which he has cultivated to so fine a
point Of perfection. and because of his
intelligence and executive ability quail
ties that must always be associated with
great talent as an actor IL the latter is 10
be made use OF to the highest advantage.
and which are not at all Incompatible
with the artistic temperament
That other American cities not Of the
first-class as to population would soon
emulate the example Of New Orleans in
having grand opera seasons Of their very
own was predicted in this column some
weeks ago. Now It appearE that the New
Orleans idea has made its way up the
Mississippi as far as St. Louis and found
Judgment in the minds Of music-Iovers
there. The result is that the St. Louis
enthusiasts have started a movement 10
steal the Russell opera company from the
Creole capital and plant it in their own
city for the future The New Orleans
press and public have taken the alarm.
and are doing all they can to arouse SEN /
timent that viii prevent the Russell com
pany from making the city up the river
its headquarters. The chance. are thar
New Orleans viii succeed in this. The
public there has been educated up TO the
grand opera habit. and can be relied on I
10 respond TO the call for whatever guar
antees that may be required to insure a /
regular grand opera season each winter /
without depending on the New York com /
panies for a few performances at the
close Of the metropolitan season. This
years opera season in New Orleans has |
made the Russell company stronger than /
ever there. as the company now includes I
several artists Of the best class. who have 4
Interpreted the great operate roles as /
oigned them with brilliancy. II can be
only a question OF time when local prida /
and the strength of local musical demand /
viii bring about the Inauguration of
grand opera seasons of considerable I
length in many American cities that are /
now satisfied with brief -the-season /
visits from the companies that make /
their headquarters in New York. The lat
ter city has nothing like the prestige in |
the United States that Paris has in /
France. Yet in France cities like Lyons /
have their own opera companies entire /
ly independent of Paris. and the artists 1