New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-03-03
JOHN C0RBIN OUT
QUITS NEU THEATRE
Resignation of Literary Drec-
tor Takes Effect about June /.

John Co-bin, literary director % The
New Theatre has resigned his post to take
effect at the end OF the present theatrical
sea son, about June !. His resignation has
been accepted by the Board of Founders.
Mr. Corbin. az his home last hight at
first denied that this was so, then showed
polite interest in the source from whence
such rumor flowed, agreed later that there
was truth in it and urged the omission of
any hint at there being or having been any
friction. Friction, he said, was The furthest
thing from the truth that could possibly be
imagined.
Asked to confirm the report Of his resig-
nation, Mr.. Corbn said:
why. I'm surprised. Where cid you
hear such thing as that?"
Mr. Otto Kahn, OF The New Theatre,
said it was a matter for you and no one
else to discuss" he was told.
Well. if Mr.. Kahn said that, and you
want any statement you will have to come
around tomorrow"
Assured that the rumor was too active
and sturdy to smother. Mr.. Corbia said:
We'll, L cant stop YOU. cf you are 60
ing TO print It, I can't stop you. But be
fore say anything I shall have II see Mr.
Anles and talk it over
'Is June l the time that you will sever
Your connection with The New Theatre?''
he was asked
Really, 1 should have to look through
quite a lot Of memoranda to know just
when the season ends he replied.
we have good authority for stating the
fact Of YOUR having resigned, Mr. Corbin,
and such will appear in The Tribune to-
morrow" he was told.
as TO the date. About two weeks ago. I
should say
We understand that YOU have decided to
devote your time to writing plays"
For Heavens sake don't say play
wright" he said. I'm a newspaper man,
like you fellows You understand what 1
mean ! am writer. ! write for anything
can, you know. I am especially interested
IN two books just now. ] have just done
A play for Grace George. It IS called 'Hus-
band
But not playwriting especially. Please
do not make me say anything like that 7
write for magazines, books on travel and
now and then, no doubt. l shall do play"
1T is said that you have resigned at the
request of Mr.. Brady. who wanted you TO
give your whole time to the production Of
Husband -
why, 7 would give that, anyway No;
that is not the thing at all. III tell you
have read something like two thousand
plays. Ny name has been the name that
has been signed to the letters declining
them. I have made enemies. l got sick
signing those letters.
The New Theatre has landed. In my
opinion We have produced the best three
plays OF the year. in their lines, not eX-
cepting the Broadway productions. | refer
to The Niger Don and Strife We
have shown two beautiful classical reviTaiS
The School for Scandal and Twelfth
Night We have our own company.
Mr. Corbjn said that the title of literary
director so far as The New Theatre was
concerned. woull probably die with him.
He aid that he had been requested, when
the plans we're taking form. to act as di-
rector Of The New Theatre, but declined.
He declined, he said. when he thought of
Winthrop Ames, whose name he urged upon
the founders Mr.. Corbin went to Boston
and san Mr.. Ames he said. and he had al
WAYS felt that the choice of Mr. Ames was
a most wise one.
when I made speech at q dinner a few
nights ago he said, lit was reported in Il
way that led persons to suppose it might
lead to some friction. This is not So ] had
my resignation all written out and in my
pocket that night. SO YOU can see my mind
was made up to this step before then"
Asked about his contract Mr. Corbin said
il was an agreement, good for two years,
but containing a clause giving him permits
sion TO resign a { any time on three months
notice.