The Washington herald., 1908-04-19
The Lesson of Failures.

The theatrical season just closing has
been marked one on account Of the
unusually large number of failures Of
productions from the beginning 10 the
end Of the season. There is indicated by
this, of course, a corresponding unusual
increase IN the number of attempts at
dramatic success. but il IS notable that
it is not the amateur dramatist who has
failed this season, but the man with the
name the man who by previous sterling
dramatic work had won reputation and
proht-and 1t is on the man of this sort
that the producing managers rely mainly
for their output
Among the men who did good work in
previous years. but failed lamentably this
season. may be mentioned George Ade,
Clyde Fitch, Belasco, Charles Klein, Paul
Armstrong Edward Peple. james Nc
Arthur, and George Broadhurst and
many Of the plays turned out by these
men failed by only the narroWest sort Of
margin. and, perhaps, because Of the ex-
ceIlence Of their previous work. too much
Was expected OF them at this time
But in the very fact OF these many
failures lies a message of hope FOR the
American theater. IL shows above all
else, that We have in the United states
a body Of skilled men. trained TO their
work and devoting themselves wholly to
the theater. More and more are they
coming to realize that in purely Ameri-
can subjects. in the great story of the
life Of this republic, In some one or two
of its many and various phases, lies the
dramatic hope Of this country And so
We have plays OF New York life. Of CHI
cagO life (Which is distinct but with
difference), Of San Francisco life (Which
is city life Oriented, as it were). And we
have plays Of the plains. and plays of the
farm. and plays of the ranch, and plays
of the factory. and each Of these deals
with some vital element in the American
character. That any play viii be con-
structed big enough TO contain even
hint Of all Of these things combined
which, after all, is the American charac-
ter-is much TO be doubted.
But the effort is being made day by
day-so much these many failures tells
Us. They show Us that the men who are
striving for the best in the American
drama are reaching out, feeling their
way. and bit by bit extending the appeal
OF the stage, so that year by year il is
coming more and more to be an integral
part OF our social and educational lie
In the meantime, the failures of the
season have their effect upon the players.
and an effect that Is largely for the good
AS the quality Of drama demanded by
the public rises. so too must rise the
ability of the players, and there is getting
10 be less room for those half-educated
actors who used to find it sufficient To
humble IN authors lines. ar.culate or
inarticuiate, as they pleased 1t is true
that the lack OF success attained by many
prominent dramatic authors has forced
many good and worthy player out Of a
position. but these have not been lost. as
amusement puTveyoTs, 10 the public, for
most Of them have found a temporary
home at least in vaudeville, where IL
has been necessary, in order to give them
a chance, to revive in some measure the
one-act play, farce, drama, OF comedy,
which is one Of the greatest schools Of
playWriting in the world.
While leading man at Hooley's and
McYicker's Theaters in Chicago years
ago Mr.. O'Neill was Romeo to the
Juliet of Miss Adelaide Nielsen. who,
on her return 20 England was asked 10