Omaha daily bee., 1910-08-28

are to predominant. 1t Is also assuring to
read the following from an editorial in the
Dramatic Mirror. the sanest Of present day
papers devoted exclusively to matters per-
tanning TO the theater:
The younger American dramadsts who
have won success In other words have
sought to take from conditions about them
social or poltical-the themes which they
have developed into plays and they have
cnly Just begun TO. realize the possibilities
Of the material 20 be found on every hand.
Today the drama in America Is more vivid
ana Nelitabla than the drama of Eng and.
where modern conceiis sun are frGwned
upon by large class who Would rather
accept plays alohg the old lines than plays
which mark innovation, And no iOreign
country today Is richer in dramatic promise
than tits, country. The new generation OF
American playwrights stll lack that fnesse
which distinguishes the schools OF England
and France. Technically they are inferior
to the authors In countries where method
has traditions. Yet while they lack in grace
and surety OF mere technique, they excel
in selection Of topics and in the human
verify and vitality which they impart to
their work. The drama in America today
deals with todays social problems. and
seeks TO transfer life itself to the theater.
And in that direction drama here un-
doubleday will tend so long as there are
problems to be discussed or solved.
Tie American dramatist is appreciated at
competition may offer. And eventually he
will win appreciation abroad, asking but a
Tree field and no FAVOR
. 81
Another point that presents itself at the
opening OF the season, yet which might well
be left to it's closing days for discussion,
has to do with whether the theater is filling
It's mission. Is 1t living up to its opportun-
ity? Have the managers, In their desire
20 make certain OF public patronage by af-
ording amusement failed to give due con-
sideration TO the serious side OF the case.
and neglected to afford instruction as well?
1t is not at all likely that these questions
will ever be answered. for the very good
reason that individuals differ as much now
as at any other time. and that the diver
gence In habits OF thought and matters OF
taste will persist as long as the race en-
aures and progress is possible Yet It is
only fair TO the theater to suggest in an
humble and unobstrusive way the opinion
OF one person that the stage has In very
large measure filled its highest and best
mission. 1t has set before AS much that
is instructive as well as amusing; il has
clothed for us morals ane precepts. more or
less unpalatable, but wholesome in their
application, in garments that please and at
tract. and yet do not disguise completely
the lesson to be conveyed IL we have failed
10 apply that lesson, Il is not the fault OF
the stage nor of those who illuminate II by
their talents. Frequently the instruction
has been powerfully impressive In it's de-
liveranee, and yet We are stiff-necked and
hard Of heart and heed not From the
plain and unavoidable admonitions Of the
hortative drama we turn with delight to the
frivolity Of the comedy. musical or other
wise, Just as we have the habit Of turning
away from the sober things of life often
as we can TO indulge ourselves In the light
and glow OF what offers us pleasure barren
OF precept. So. II the stage has not as yet
wrought the salvation OF the race, neither
has the church nor the schools nor any
other single agency for the betterment OF
mans condition.; nor have all OF these
agencies combined. and It is only silly to
chide either of them, because mans per-
versity has so far baffled the good efforts
OF all. II is for the stage and its people TO
go on, steadily striving for the right. just
as do the other agencies for intellectual
and moral Advancement. The cause is what
we fight for. after ALL
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