New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-02
PROMISE A GREAT PLAY
"Higher Court" Receives Warm
Praise at Theatre Club.
H. |. D0DGE'S FIRST EFFORT
Fair Play for American Dram
atists Theme of Discussion
Stage as Uplifting Force.

Members or the New YORK 1HeaI'S
Club. out In large numbers at the meet
ing held yesterday at the Hotel AZ or
heard great things about nm impelIns
bome-produced drama which will be seen
on Sunday night at the Maxine Elliott
Theatre. AS different speakers grew eio-
ouent In praise OF Henry living Dodse's
Higher Court" the membership became
imbued With the Idea that "fnd" had
been made.
Among the speakers were Miss Mary
Shaw, Mrs Sidney Rosenfeld and Mrs.
Belle de Rivera.
Mr.. Dodge's maiden effort will be pro-
duced before the members OF the Ma
tional Federation Of Theatre Ciuos' ana
Mrs de Rivera, In announcing that only
members could purchase tcke,s, assured
one woman who seemed anxious az 10
where fhe should leave her husband that
husbands OF members would be welcome
Mrs Sidney Rosenfeld told the mem
hers that there ought to be American
plays In every theatre In this city. IN
stead. one manager had brought over
twenty foreign plays and another hfteeh'
She did not think we were such fools that
we could not write plays, and her plea
was for q square deal for American play
wrights as well as American actors.
Miss Mary Shaw also said that ne
American stage was being pre-empted by
foreign plays as we'll as by foreign actors.
I'VE are willing to share our stage win
the foreign element, but want part OF II
ourselves"
The speaker declared that the theatre
stands with the Church and State as an
educating influence. She said that actors
wanted a chance to develop their art.
Following Miss Shaw came Miss A. Fen"
ming, who was made chairman or the
DAVIS discussion. Her remarks soon
STARTED something" and Incidentally
there was quite a difference OF opinion
voiced by other members.
Miss Jennings remark that orought
forth most OF the discussion was that
while the theatres were universally run
the churches were universally hndins
more empty pews from year to year.
sbo Thought that the theatre would take
the place OF the church In reaching more
people. and that Il was place Whete
great moral teachings could be expounden
90 the largest number Of persons, II the
pcople chose to 20 to the theatres IN
Interference 10 the churches. then there
was where they should receive their ethl-
cal lessons.
At q point where Miss Fenning asserted
the Hobbies OF the theatres were iamiileu
nightly IN this city. several members De-
came impatient TO get into the discussion
"But the managers OF the theatres
where there are plays with great moran
lessons 10 be learned said one OF the
dIgsenters. declare that Il Is the theaue
which produces the opposite sort OK play
that has a packed house
Miss Fenning still persisted, however
IN saving that II the mountain Wou'd ho'
go 10 Mahomet, then Mahomet must 10
70 the mountain. People couIa hot 10
forced into churches, but many were ahh-
ious 10 80 TO theatres.
Mrs. Rosenfeld announced thar she hao
found by computation that In thirty
nights every human being IN this CRY
could be reached through the theatre'
ore speaker said that she hhu "o'N01
ministers introducing theatrical mediums
into their churches In order 10 ora"
crowds
And see," she added, "that the Ger
mons OF a number OF ministers pear sch'
sationeI titles. One preacher mas gone SO
far as TO announce his intention o. giving
advice about the acquisition OF nus
bands"
When one speaker jumped up and said
abe had seen packed churches In THIS Guy
Miss Fennlng said she was spesN'ns u'''
versally. and no, about SPECIFIC instances.
She maintained that the people were
showing q preference for the theatres
and Their. was where the great moral les
sops could reach the most people
1.-THE theatre is destined In the future
% NAV n leading part In the upl'tt OF
49,. uorld - abe concluded.