New-York tribune., 1909-11-07

tors, gratcful heneilted persons an honest,
direct Tiers Etat. an infamous aristocracy,
and 50 on. Pervading all: we'll sustained
nlediocrity Of thought and language. out
OF which one. 10y chance. ventures a few
steps downward into dulness or upward
into absurdity-here YOU have the ingredi-
ents and tone of our plays during the last
ten years"
And what were the ingredients of
Geothe's duty about this time? Not only
did ne manage the theatre. but he wrote
for 81: he built the ducal castle; he superin-
tended the ducal mines. which gave a great
deal OF trouble and some ore: he had 10
devote special care TO the wants Of the
duchess and her children: and, incidentally.
he wrote Wilhelm Meister-" The record
Of a years activity, other years were not
less active although they differed in detail
And there was always jealousy. One actor
was jealous of another. one dTamatist OF
another. and following. Goethe. in be-
tween. was the target for all shafts. Fac
tiOn fought against faction and all against
the manager Of the theatre. And. besides.
the duke loved a lady Of the stage, who
Ted him pretty dance. and who convinced
Goethe that one need not die 10 enter the
place OF torment Whenever this eEchant-
ing actress was displeased she went 90 her
portrait in her darkest language. When
the charming lady. now become a baroness,
went To- live in the castle. the duchess hav-
ing discreetly died. il Was, of course. not
more difficult for her 10 gain the ducal ear.
How often did she drive the manager TO
the point Of resignation, and even to the
edge Of his mind? When the managers
employer loves lady Of the company
something not on the bills is likely 10 Oc-
cur After some years OF these idyllic eX-
periences Goethe reached the last stretch
Of his endurance. The amlable lady player
insisted that her poodle should be dressed
for q part and brought upon the scene.
Goethe resigned. In fact. he previously had
resigned more than once through Difficult
ties caused by the dukes charmer And on
each occasion the duke had entreated iiIn.
yielded some essential point. ana Goethe
had returned. But the lady remained. Ana
so did countless vexations Of The man
agerial Office. The poodle, however.
triGmphed over Goethe, who could not be
persuaded 10 return.
Goldoni. the Italian drsmatIst whose out
put of plays was phenomenal. was also
a manager OF unhappy experience. lie
did what he could 10 improve the taste Of
playgoers ana players The latter per
formed with masks. Goldoni. greatly dar-
ing insisted that they should abandon
this antiquated habit The actors Tebelled.
In those days. too. the writers of plays
had a personal following which made
things difficult all round. AS following
would howl at BIS play, at the actors who
appeared in it. at the manager who pro-
duced il. This pretty practice. in the
/ course of time. drove GoIdoni from Venice
10y sheer force Of arms Sheridan's man
agement of Drury Lane WAS packed with
troubles. Human nature has not greatly
changed in a century. VANITY is what II
was: intrigue and spite play over the
scene in the same old way. and competi-
tors spread hurtful rumors concerning
their rivals just their predecessors did
IN the long ago. II any one wishes 10
know tie troubles Of one management let
him but cultivate tie gossip monger of
another and ne viii hear all and good
deal more Mould ne preserve his peace
Of mind and fairly and with diligence serve
the art which most concerns him he Will
close his ears 10 the small talk of box
offices and stage doors. The chickering's
and auarrels of players, managers, drama
fists and their several followings contrib
ute nothing o. dramatic art or 10 the
news which the public nee6s 90 know.
Are the plays worth while2 Are they well
plaved? There f. tho puhlics concern.
And n The New Theatre serve the public
wei. is true TO the ideals which give II it's
reason for existence, Misrepresentation and
jealousy viii not mar its fortunes. and
America viii have a theatre in which for
generations Il can take an honest pride.
Many there are who look forward with
high expectations, even with enthusiasm.
20 the opening OF The New Theatre and to
the Developments OF its first season. The
Undertaking dt is not too much 10 call II
a great undertaking. IS In hands capable OF
guiding IL through the troubled seas IL
las WeIl-wlshers a-plenty; IL starts life
with an abundance OF good will. II can
not fulhl it's purpose IN week or in
season. It's growth must be slow. the
deyelopment OF its resources must be grad
nal The note 10 be struck now by that
mart OF the public which really cares is one
of encouraging appreciation. There viii
De choruses and solos Of quite another sort
An abundance from quarters which md
soy in the discontinue Of every honest and
unusual effort 10 serve ant rather than
commerce merely. and from the number
less who think that the part OF wisdom II
20 be scornful. Well. then, may The New
Theatre live a. many centuries ss II ne
serves. striving for al mat Is best for the
drama and fulfilling us best ideals,
A. ~.