The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-07
NEWS OF THE WEEK IN
THE THEATRICAL WORLD

New York. August 6.-(Special )-About
the only things stirring in the theatrical
world are the managers. and these rest
less individuals are busy making an
nouncements about the coming season
and getting rehearsals under way An
other indication of the approach of the
1901 theatrical season is the arrival of
the actor folk. Most every steamer en-
tering the harbor brings some celebrity
who will appear in an early season pro-
duction including several English stars
imported by Charles Frohman.
Speaking of Frohman. this prolific In
dividual has come forth with several
more announcements He now states
that owing to the magnitude of his plans,
he will have to have two producing sea-
sons; one to begin early in August,
and the other in January. In this way
he hopes to produce the 40 new plays to
which he has acquired the rights. OF
course when Frohman purchases the
rights to a play 1t is not always guar
antee that American audiences will see
It. With his enormous resources he has
fallen into the habit of putting his trade
mark of the works of foreign authors,
merely to keep them out of the hands
of his rivals. In this way he has in
CURED the displeasure of many foreign
writers, French in particular, who have
sworn to offer him no more of their
works But each year it is the same old
story-hs dollars prove too attractive.
In announcing that he will produce 40
new plays this year. F'rohrnan lays en-
phasis on the fact that less than 10 per
cent are American, and takes a slap at
American playwrights by stating that
''they are not producing the goods"
OF Mr. Frohman's foreign plays.
ssChanticler," of course, has been the
most widely advertised. but great many
are skeptical as to the success of Ros-
lands work in this country.
The enormous amount of publicity II
received on its first production In Paris
served to attract great crowds, and II
was impossible to get seat ahead. But
the craze soon died out and "Chanticler'
IS now only playing to capacity.
Frohman has announced that Maude
Adams will interpret the role Of the
rooster, and as this popular actress al
ways insures good gate receipts 1t may
help the American production.
Speaking of foreign plays that are to
be produced here, It must have been
rather a sad blow to the American theat-
rical managers who paid a fat price
for the Naked Truth to read Allan
Dale's rather harsh criticism of 1t.
This play is at present being produced
in London with Charles Hawtry, one of
England's cleverest actors, In the leading
role.
Mr. Dale says:
1.-The naked truth about The Naked
Truth at Wyndham theatre may soon be
told It is unhestatngly the stupdest.
drearest and dingest show in London.
IF ANYBODY has 1t for New York. that
ANYBODY has a lemon of the most acidu-
lated type. However, to be the stupid
est. dreariest and dingiest show in Lon
is going quite some.
mot every playwright could vie with
the Grass inanity of prevalent LONDON
shows. The authors of the Naked TrfSh'
at least deserve BOBBY prize.
..It was a great compliment to Mr..
Hawtrey that the audience remained
good during the progress of The Naked
Truth
The lure of vaudeville gold has at
tracted another literary celebrity to the
stage in the person of Laura Jean Libby,
she who wrote with the tear drops drip
ping from her pen. Laura Jean is ap-
pearing in the American Roof Garden
under the management of William Nor
ris and entertains the audience by re-
citing two original poems and love
monologue" and although her acting may
not prove popular as her works. she at
least deserves creditable mention.
Her histrionic aspirations, however, are
not limited to the confines of mere recita-
lions and monoogues in vaudeville. She
has announced that she will appear In
a dramatic plsvlet. which she has writ
ten. and If this is successful. she In