The Washington times., 1908-02-02
Poor Dramatic Critics!
One and All Are Grilled
AS Bickering Raconteurs

! case may be. BY their work. There Is
no occasion. therefore, for an answer
to Mr.. Lyons attack in that quarter.
But as To dramatic criticism as an
adjunct OF the stage, it marks a de
plorable period in the history of our
stage when players and plywrights
cry ont against analysis OF raeir work
ir the daily press.
If dramatic criticism Is 10 be con-
fined TO the monthly press, its use as
a guide for the public taxes on the
aspect OF "ex-post facto" advice. for
a play is either made or unmade by
public patronage before the monthly
Journal issues.
Merely to chronicle the plot of a play,
as Mr.. Lyon suggests, would be worse
than useless. In the great majority OF
cases such articles would be grossly mis-
leading, for the most lurid melodrama
would then appear more inviting than
the most delightful comedy or manners.
or a play OF viriIe thought and forceful
moral.
II fallacious arguments. vicious prin-
ciples and gross ideas are propagated
by a certain theatrical production, why
should not the public be warned Why
must every theatergoer see for himself.
wasting his time and money? Has
not the reader q right 10 expect fair
play from the public press.
The drama is a vital force in modern
civilization and as such II can be d.
| rected so as to bring 10 bear a whole
some influence upon society. And it is
equally true that in the hands OF tile
INSCRIPTIONS, the mercenary or the ig-
norant it may have n most peruicioUs
/ effect.
1t is within the province of the critic
to discover and point out the false. to
applaud the true. In the exercise Of
these duties he is at tie same time ex-
| pected to direct the public toward those
| productions which afford genuine
! amusement. 10 point out the dull and
| uninviting.
II Is hardly probable that Mr.. Lyons
proposition will receive the Endorsement
| of the serious minded members OF the
theatrical profession who are gbOrIUg
TO achieve the permanent uplift of the
] stage. The conscientious playwright and
/ the conscientious. intelligent player
| court sincere, sane criticism whether
that criticism be deser~edIy adverse or
1 QeEeEteUlE ldk VI awe anu NAANth'l ~
appear in the daily press or in the
'meditative monthly
The entertainment offered at the
Washington playhouses last week was
Of an unusually uniformly trivial char
acter. Plays for mere amusement were
offered at all three Of the leading the
aters- Raymond Hitchcock presented
his last years comedy made over into
a musical show. The lines were no
! especially clever. nor was the music un-
] usually good. but the star gave pleasing
| performance and was ably assisted By
the feminine contingent OF the cast.
Eddie Foy has in The Orchid" an IN
usually poor vehicle for MS peculiar
| talents. Il vas. rather a pity, too, 70
| see so clever an actor as George q
/ Boniface. IT.. wasted In a minor role o
| 2 musical show. Mr.. Boniface was seer
here last year as Mr.. JeffT vs.. no
Jeffries" in Before and After" and mis-
excellent work then was one OF he hits
q Leo DltrlchsteIn's Iaugbable fa.ce
| Lew DockstadeT failed - add 10 his
lsurels in his latest skit, a Dull D.
at the White House" II was dui.
half hour al the National
Wine Woman, and Song at the Ma
| jestic was one Of the most pretentious
| offerings seen at that pOpular-priCed
! tbeater- this season. The chorus was at
| tractiye and the costumes fresh anc
tasteful. The production delighted large
] audiences.