Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-16

to make good and the management in
sisted that I was the ideal stage detec-
tive. The very next play l appeared n
I was again detective. And 1t has re
NAMED this way for season after season
have been told time and gain by friends
that look and act the typical Scotland
Yard sleuth. At any rate the managers
seem to think this is my particular forte
am now known among the producing
managers and authors as a type, to use
the parlance Of the stage, and 1 suppose
shall always be cast in this manner.
When Mr.. Frohman told me he wanted
me for one OF the leading roles of Ar
sene Lupin' l jumped to the conclusion
he handed me the manuscript of my part
and. alas. it was that of the detective,
Guerchard.
A CURIOUS CONTRACT.-A contract
without a precedent has been entered into
between Lebler &, Co. and George Faw-
cett, whereby the distinguished player
will create leading roles in the firms
various attractions for the remainder of
the season.
The decision to so employ Mr.. Fawcett
came about during conversation he had
with Mr.. George c. Tyler. head of the
Liebler & Co. enterprises. I'm in some
thing OF a quandary," said Mr.. Tyler,
Il want YOU for a comedy part with Miss
May Irwin in Getting a Polish and
also want you to play an entirely differ
ent style OF role in Judith Zaraine,' with
Miss Lena Ashwell'' -.-
Cant you think of anything else you
want me to play?" suggested Mr.. Faw-
cett. not altogether seriously.
Yes, can, indeed" replied Mr.. Tyler,
and he said some pleasant things about
the stars versatility. Out of this grew
the idea which has been reduced to for
NAL contract. In each new 1.iebler &
Co. production OF the present sea sor
Mr. Fawcett will have a commanding part
for the time being. When another pro-
duction is ready, Mr.. Fawcett will go in
that one. and so on. IA Liebler & 60
contemplate twenty more productions
this year. Mr.. Fawcett's Immediate future
promises to be one of activity.
MAKING 4 MUSICAL COMEDY -
The making of musical comedy under
rnoSern conditions said Mr.. Lew Fields
is quite the most nerve-racking under.
taking that can he imagined. So many
elements go to compose good tnusica
volved In the making, that combination
! OF diplomacy. firmness and tact is needed
at every juncture.
For instance. If desire to put on {
new musical offering. I first call for gu,
libtettist and tell him the germ of 4, Z
humorous idea which has perhaps ap
pealed TO me. II he thinks we'll of 1t, h.
prepares a skeleton OF the book anC
shows me the opening act If ] am salts
fed with IL I call In a composer and
stage manager. After that the fun be
gins.
THE author is sure to complain tina
his book is being ruthlessly maltreated t.
| make way for chorus effects. The com
poser Is hurt because no opportunities fol
| light and shade in his musical number;
are furnished. The stage manager de
clares that the piece is all dialogue anC
songs that form an integral part of tn,
plot. How am ] to Introduce any spe
| cialties In such a work as this?' IL his In
evitahle query. Then the notifying proc
ess begins. We must pacffy the autho
| for taking liberty with a pet scheme. w,
must reason gently. hut firmly. with TIL
composer when extra musical number!
| are introduced. And always the stag
director must be handled with discretion
/ but authority.
III this last Is not done, the perform
ance Is apt TO become mere string o
special features and show-girl dances, ex
| plotting costumes and color effects, bu
| totally destructive of either the progress
| of the slender plot or the Injection o.
humOr."