The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-09
THE R,cMMoND srocK COMPANY.

THE RICHMOND STOCK COMPANY.
Old Richmonders will tell YOU of the
glorious days when there was a great
tragedians of now historic fame who
paced tho stage in this town nightly
for weeks. They will tell of the social
interest felt in tho theatre. and how
! actors OF intellect and character were
welcomed in homes for their art. Also.
the modern drama reformers will point
YOU out the permanent stock company
as the salvation of a too commercial
stage. In Chicago, New York, Boston,
trying to develop the local thea tre.
The high conception OF dramatic art
as part of education. and OF the Gre
alton of companies that belong 10 the
town just as n baseball team belongs
to the town. is abroad in the land. All
this points one question: why should
not Richmond support good pcrma-
ncnt company for the presentation Of
plays. both classic and those merely in
tcresting and charming?
The wcll-deserved success OF the
that the time is ripe for such move
1t is true that part OF the attraction
has been the weekly star. yet a we'll
balanced company Of less stellar fame
would be equally potent TO draw good
audiences. This troupe has made the
mistake OF attempting some plays that
are not suited for summer. or for their
n ~
what limited accessories Many will
admit, however, that the production OF
Irilby was very pleasant. Staging,
direction and acting compared we'll
with the road work Of so-callcd New
York companies. In other plays. the
same satisfying results were not
achieved. Lady Windermere's Fan" is
not wise selection. nor does the 'Sor-
ceress' tempt summer amusement
seekers. Yet there are plenty of light,
clean picturesque favorites that could
be handled admirably without the star
extra Plays that correspond TO tho
Gilbert and Sullivan operas are plen-
tiful, and many cost little for the rights
OF production
1t is not unlikely that permanent
company in a small theatre, giving sim
pie things. could be made n financial
and artistic success. Certainly some
thing should be done to give us a better
steady diet of theatrical recreation.
The moving pictures are fine. but
season of weekly attendance on the
movies and mediocre vaudeville Is in
evitably debasing to the popular taste
The crowds learn little. and devotion no
standards Of judgment. The big things
come rarely, often at prohibitive prices.
and are frequently far from reaching
the press agent predictions We have
been fooled into wariness
our own stock company. i'm lis ow,
house with weekly change of bill.
would force upon playgoers tho need
OF judging drama for Its own sake
without the dazzling light of outside
success or far-heralded star 1t would
certainly develop actors. for nothing
has ever been so good for technique az
the constant variety Of stock componv
work The public might even be edu
Gated up to the ideal of very slmnle
settings, which throw heavy demands
on the imagination and so brace tho
csthetic sense.
The drama is great educator. be-
cause 1t shows character under stress
conditions. and points tho moral of
real life. Since the commercial stage
Is not used for this lofty end. but for
ilGht and sensuous appeals. the CITY
must seek its own drama In F.urone
and III at least one American town.
municipal stock companies are self
supporting II is time Richmond paid
some attention TO this branch OF the
after school education