The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-19
AL G. FIELD AS A MoRALIsT.
DepIores Poor and Filthy Shows and
High Prices.

In a talk anent prevailing conditions
ir the theatrical world, more partlcu-
larly regarding The attitude OF the pup
lie toward the tl.eater. Al G. Field says
about the conditions confronting pur-
vevors 20 theater patrons, tie correct
diagnosis has rot been outlined
1.-THE season drawing to close salu
Mr. Field, lis en- anomaly. Many tne-
atrical companies have been more sue
cessfuI than usual. while a greater
number have suffered severely Inc
general business depression was pot
cnt factor in decreasing the attendance
ct the theater, while the high cost OIL
living had some influence also in keep
ing the average theater-goer from en-
joying the passing show But there are
q her potent reasons Influencing tneat-
rical finances-Some hundreds OF t1eat-
rical companies have prematurely closer
in the rast season-yet of this NUMBER
an authority that cannot be quesuoneo'
told me there were but four that de-
served to continue. Right there .. IS
matter" declared Mr.. Field, that
must be considered. 1t is matter Oh
great concern to the producer who Is
in the theatrical business to stay aIlc
who, moreover, is not in the business
for a moment, but for a life; with ms
ambition and wealth at stake.
1.-THE flamboy9nt press agent, reanz-
ing that nothing succeeds IKE hnancldA
81 ccess sounds his clarion note Of pup
iiCitV to the erect that lIICI0 eaAO
lions i'll this particular enterprise he
| happens tc represent and the specula-
| tor looking for easy money taxes
hand with the usual result. II the loss
could BE- confined to the Spectator none
" ouid regret it, but it is the abuse OF
| the public confidence which Injuries the
| theatrical business for the legitimate
r.ana ger who is onestly endeavor1ng TO
| give the public what it pays for
| 1.-THE theatrical game" continued MT
/ &c Dldy
| If even more readily than they do the
| stock market. The allurements are
| greater Notwithstanding the fact thai
| there are more theaters in nearly every
| citv in the country than there are suit
| able attractions for And yet It IS no'
| difficult for a promoter to induce CAPT
| tai to build more. A very little research
| would divulge the fact in comparative
| sense that theaters are not good paying
| investments"
| shows" said Mr.. Field. "they are in
| turing the business of the more pre-
tentious and high priced theaters
| vaudeville of the higher grade in the
larger cities has been a strong com
petitor of the legitimate houses: the
many picture and vaudeville CONT pima
ton houses are stronger competitor!
of the straight vaudeville theaters a
| present and it looks as if straigh
vaudeville will be out of 1t soon excep
in the more poDul0us centers. where
the managers can ahoru nigh sdIda no
for 'headliners,' as they are called. TIL
low price of admission has mad
vaudeville popular and prosperous
And this suggests the thought tina
some of the failures of the season cal
be attributed to the fact that the pub
: lie does not appreciate paying more TO
their amusement than it is worth. Sec
ond ane third companies can not ex
: pect to play to the same prices as tn
: original producing companies charge
: even though the attraction has bee
: heralded far and wide as the creates
2 theatrical success of thu hour. TIL
2 enterprise of many producing mana
I gers has made the public willing t
i pay big prices to witness big produc
- lions; others are trying to initiate tn
h successful high price attractions