New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-19

London.
Hastings author of The New SIM has
returned from America after the failure or
his play in New York, very much out OF
harmony with himself and with things In
general. lie now looks upon the world
with a jaundiced eye, though, as is evil
denced by his willingness to accept cur
tain call from three people or thereaDouts
AT the first production Of THE Tide
fortnight ago and from some remarks in
the newspapers. he has not been so Sc
verely unbalanced but that his eq iilibrium
may be restored by something that verges
on success
Mr.. Hastings seems 10 have missed al
together the point OF the special first
night audience for The New Sin" in New
York and the resulting failure of the play
and consequently is spending not little
dine seeking devious explanations as TO
why his play did not go. Not long ago
his decorations and contusicns Of mind
sought balm in a letter TO THE Globe,
#, the course Of which he referred 10 the
differences of pronunciation between Eng
land and America, and said 1T is not
question Of twang Al all 1t is question
OF pronunciation. Of the accentuauon OF
svllahlcS They use the same words az
we do. but they pronounce most OF them
differently 1t has come TO SUCH a pass
that America not only mispronounces our
words. but publicly defends it, mispro-
uunclation and attacks our correctness
AR Hastings. however. hopes TO have
other plays produced in America, ana ne
| fore ne ended his letter he sought 10 PA
cate future audiences with the following
rar,eraph. Also ! think YOU are wrong
when YOU criticise the taste of the Amer
lean public II is just as good as ours
As for the critics. whereas London cil'-
ics are generally careless and often spile-
ful and New York's are frivolous, those
NJ chicago where The New sin was
fayorablv reviewed are the best men al
,beir lob | have come across. They take
Mains and they are honest Bennett IS
hotter critic than any one I'm this country
re understands o critics duties, Whlch
are high and honorable 40 you must not
sheer al theatrical America lheS nav
q wonderful drama league, Tor one INNS
rornbers Of which actually buy seats.
voo. II seemed 10 the Tribune CORE
.nopdent that the American pupnc "oulu
understand Mr. Hastings a httle 'e''e'
than he understood them and thdt q" g"
l,rcement Of his views as eNpreSSed IL
n.rre Globe would both interest ana
o,,use the American people. Consequent
T., Mr. Hastings was seen at the queen
rbeatre between the acts OF The Iide
and asked il he would take up TINS sun
i.ct for the Tribune readers little more
in detail. .,,.
NJ, Hastings was i'm the dress circle. lie
had not Joined the crowd III the sld''S'
but with all the modesty OF the play
wright he had scorned the boiled shFt
and other lordy trappings and mingled
with the multitude \ lyericd conHlS-
-iouaire WAS dispatched to announce 20
N, Hastings that the Tribune man was
ottbin the portals Two bepowdered
a,,pkies stood al the foot OF the grand
staircase and in minute or two louu
voice came ringing through the entrance
hall-"Somebody wants 10 see me- some
bodv wants to see me-" and the voice ana
the modest recorder of famous men $
opinions soon afterward collided
The object Of the interview explained.
Mr. Hastings readily acquiesced. 1T Is
a subject that should be properly UNDER
stood and ventilated" he said in a con-
fdent tone that left no room for doubt
II will let YOU have my views on 1t to-
morrow. as ! would prefer to give IL
little lengthicr consideration than time
now permits
Profuse thanks from the interviewer re-
iievcd OF the necessity of making 'copious
notes"
You will have it tomorrow certain
about 1000 words" Mr.. Hastings suG-
eested.
Make IT longer II you like. Tell me
what YOU think of American authors
actors. audiences, theatres, anything you
| like, but we must have IL tomorrow the
interviewer mildly remarked.
IF IL is not done then il never Will be
done. so you can take II from me II VIII
he done" Mr.. Hastings retorted reasSut-
| ngly as he remounted the grand stair
case. with She iunkies standing at atten-
ton.
| True to his word the promised opinion
came to hand and this ia what Mr.. Hast
| ings believes TO be the secret of the fall
ure of plays that should be successes:
THE comparatively recent change i'm
the style of English plays and English
acting cannot be wholly welcome in
| America The new style realistic play
has of necessity created new style
realistic actor, who speaks on the stage
very much as he does in ordinary life.
For the untravelled American this rapid
and decidedly un-elocutionary style of
speech is very difficult To follow. Hence,
I am sure, has sprung the comparative
| failure OF certain good English plays
performed by actors of the new school in
| the United States.
Every Englishman visiting the States
| for the first time has a difficulty in maxi
| ing himself understood. He often has
to repeat a remark or request two or
| three times to make his meaning clear,
especially on railroads. in hotels and at
bars. The American visiting England for
| the first time has similar trouble After
| "a few weeks the difficulty disappears.
| one becomes acclimatized and ones ac-