New-York tribune., 1909-05-01
FROHM4N TELLSOF PLANS
Viii Open Empire Theatre for Rep
ertOrY If London House PaYS.

Charles Frohman. who Is now in London made
known last night through his general manager the
plans for his proposed repertory theatres in this
city and in London. The Empire Theatre. knoSn
throughout the length and breadth the land will
be the home Of the stock company which VIII
pear in repert0ry this side The experiment.
however. will be tried first in London at the Duke
Of YOrks Theatre, beginning in February II #
succeeds the American company Will be brought
together for rehearsals
William Gillette will assist Mr.. Frohmau in the
management Of the company at the Empire on
the other side George Bernard Shaw. J. NJ. Barrie.
John Galsworthy and Granville Barker will be
sociated with him. the official statement com
muncated 20 his general manager Mr. F>rohman
said;
The plan that I propose 20 put into full operation
IN February viii be development of the enter
prise associated with the Court Theatre. London.
for the stage since the production of the Gilbert
and Sullivan operas. Th'- met lhod Of running plays
to produce two. which Will share the bin between
each week. Soon third STAY viii be added, when
the three viii share the week nus II VIII go on. on.
another. but ali being revived frequently, so long
as they are popular. No play viii be presented
presented every week in a Year and frequently
shall have associated win me in 1he scheme
and George Bernard Shaw. shah have the
elusive stage work OF these men. and the able ser
,r 80 eterriea @ T1e,- viii he heartily welcome
IN the repertory theatre shall be able TO give un-
tried play wrights chance frequently. even in the
evening bin. because I can do that al coTnpara-
lively small expense ! hope that thls TepertoTt
theatre will become the home of the ambitious
dramatist I merely beg Of him 70 be done with
the theatrical element and TO write only OF the
life that he really knows. Let him treat existence
as in his eyes it is lived. and not as he thinks
people want II the stage advise him 10
learn the conventions Of the stage. but chiefly that
he NAV he able disregard them The repertory
theatre viii show preference for any particular
kind of play. I want what is good Of any kind,
II IS sometimes said. A good thing, but not
ulav": this is Of the kind want
The company that ! forming for London, ana
shall shortly announce. Will contain A number or
stars I'm IT, but no starring. Its members under
stand what the demands OF a repertory theatre
From time time I shall take the public INTO my
confidence and tell them. in dollars. how we are
progressing. As a business man, snail WoTk Tor
= nTo7t Init as the expense must be great. shall
he satisfied If II proves only small profit IN ths
svstem the authors also must suffer pecuniariy:
bur the constant reproduction OF their plays VIII
helm considerably to equaliZe matters Ihe actors
Iii have 10 work a great deal harder We all
know what We doing and believe there are
Tecompenses The venture viii be in fun operation
at the Duke Of York's Theatre by tebIuary next, next
II II succeeds I shall duplicate the scheme soon
after at the Empire Theatre, New York