New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-16
HENRY v. SAVAGE BACK
Returns from Five Months Trip
Around the World.
FOREIGN PLAY MARKET DULL
Manager Says American Author
Looms Large and Announces
Seasons Plans.

Looms Large and Announces
Seasons Plans.
Henry w. Savage arrived on the Lusi-
tania yesterday, after circling the globe by
the way OF Japan, China, the Philippines,
India, Vienna, London and Paris His trip
consumed nearly five months, beginning
with an overland journey from New York
to San Francisco. Mr.. Savage was accom-
panied by T. Daniel Frawley, and the two
stopped at Honolulu. Ceylon and Manila,
and reached Europe from Japan after
visiting almost every important city en-
route.
There are Americans and Europeans ali
along the circuit craving for entertain
ment," said Mr.. Savage land the Orientals
themselves are generous patrons OF amuse-
ments All that is necessary is theatres
In Japan the pantomime performances
are wonderful. saw theatres crowded to
their capacity where not a word was
spoken, men and women being held SPELL
bound and moved TO tears by the marvel
lous silent mimicry. So clean-cut and
cameolike is the work of these mimic
artists that words are entirely unneces-
sary.
Imperial Theatre Model.
'The imperial theatre in Toxic is a model
OF ideal construction, and in some respects
surpasses any I'm America or Europe. The
boxes are all so constructed as to be- In the
line OF vision, and yet are In easy, graceful
lines. Curiously enough, however, there are
never more than two seats sold in a box,
although they have seating accommoda-
lions for six to eight people.
Another thing which impressed me in
the japanese theatres was the arrangement
OF the exits and entrances, which are all
made In the rear of the house. AS an actor
comes on or goes off the stage there is a
noise which proceeds from the exits and
reverberates through the theatre giving an
idea Of impressiveness to a scene.
THE stage is In "A fiourishing condition IN
Japan, but their ideas are of little value 20
America or Europe except In the matter Of
pantomime. Actors are highly esteemed in
Japan, and when they appear upon the
streets many of the more popular ones have
following Of retainers. The feminine
parts are still usually played by men.
ION account Of the instruction In China
We visited only Hong Kong. We attended
a performance in the English speaking the
atre. The company was an organization
from San Francisco. and the bill comprised
a number OF old Weber and Fields skits
We also attended a native theatre. The
art OF the Chinese is far behind that OF
Japan, and the makeup OF the actors al
most hldeous. No women are employed In
the casts.
I'm Rangoon, Burmah, we attended a
performance at Parsee theatre. The cur
tain had scarcely gone up when I recog-
nized the piece as our old friend All Baba
and the Forty Thieves. The chorus was
really excellent, though their voices struck
me as rather low. Close inspection revealed
the fact that they were all boys. but in cun
tights"
ON his way home Mr.. Savage stayed in
London long enough TO complete arrange
nents with Arthur Collins for the produce
tion I'm Drury Lane in September of Walter
Brownies modern morality play, Every
woman" This will be the first time In forty
years that the theatre, which Is the home
Of spectacular melodrama I'm London, has
been given over 10 any other purpose. An
entire English production Of "Eyerywom-
an" will he made. Sketches and models
are now being made by Comelli. and Mr.
Collins will cast tho piece with a company
OF representative English actors.
To Revive THE Merry Widow"
During his short stay In Paris Mr.. Savage
with Nine. Zimmerman .or
novel ideas I'm costumes for Somewhere
Else" the new whimsical musical produc-
ton by Avery Hopwood and Gustav Luders,
which will be the first OF his new attrac-
lions 10 be seen in New York early In the
season.
New productions OF The Merry Widow"
and THE Prince Of Pilsen," with new cos
tunes and scenery. will be two other feat
ures OF next season.
The Rupert Hughes farce, Excuse Me.
will be represented I'm Mr.. Savage's next
seasons attractions with two companies.
Excuse Me" will also be presented In
Paris and Berlin during the coming season.
Pierre Weber IS now engaged on the
OF the farce. which will be put
on ut the Palais Royale, Paris. and the
piece will also be adapted for Italy, Austria,
Russia and Scandinavia. Rupert Hughes
is also engaged on two new plays for Mr..
Savage. one "A domestic comedy dealing
with a number of type studies, and the
other a more ambitious effort.
"Everywoman' will occupy an important
place In the roster Of Mr.. Savage's attrac-
lions next season. Two companies will be
organized, one for the West and the Pacific
Coast and the other for the principal cities
OF the East There will also be two com
panies playing Tho Million" and Little
Boy Blue" will begin its season In Boston
I'm September.
There is little or no foreign material
that IS worth transplanting," said Mr.. Saw
age There are fewer successes on the
Continent this season than ever before, and |
there is only one big success on the Lon
don stage. with the lack Of foreign ma |
terial the American author looms big on |
the theatrical horizon. The English and |
continental managers are looking to Ameri- |
can authors for material, and | am san |
guIne of the success of 'Everywoman In |
London and Excuse Mo I'm Paris, and |
next year ! will plan to produce several
American plays In England and on the Con-
tlnent."
DrxrHrnn mo rTANHrr