Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-21
Drawings by H. J. Mowat


HIMSELF because, in journalism those born
and only partly made who possess the trick Ct instantly
getting at the heart of story in the theater, man.
ayers who instantly what will make play succeed
born not made.
Great management in the theater is largely matter
of skiully manipulating people. Actors
less inspired children The great manager IS the man
ager who get the greatest number OF results out OF
the greatest number of these less inspired chill
dren Who whatever we may say of actors, are, in the
last analysis, the life breath of the theater.
at is the English method of stage management, treat
ing people like ladies and gentlemen not hired people,,
said actor fresh from London at rehearsal the other
day, @and suppose Mr. Frohman comes by it from his
frequent visits to London
But that actor wrong. In Mr. Frohmans case
the STYLE whether he is rehearsing having cigar with
you at his desk unexpectedly chanc ng upon you in
the Strand in London, is simply the man.
Many men wou d like to know the secret OF Charles
Frohmans success Here it is: He has prospered by
mixing sentiment with business He is neither all sent
ment nor all business he is BOTH EACH at the right
time. It was with Charles Frohman's name in his
mouth that Bernard Shaw happened to utter
of the only serious words that passed his lips
~There is prevalent impression said Shaw that
Charles Frohman is a hard headed American man OF
business who does look anything that not likely
to pay. If Mr.. Frohman were really that sort OF man.
should waste five minutes on his projects lie IS the
most wildly romantic and adventurous man OF my ac-
quaintance. As Charles XII became famous soldier
through his passion for putting himself in the way OF
being killed, Charles Frohman has become famous
manager through his passion for putting himself IN the
way of being ruined
If it was not for the romantic side Of his nature,
Charles Frohman today would be OF the five
Money Kings of America. But he has use for money
except as aid to adventure something that
other people have obstinate OF always expecting
before joining him in any of his romantic exploits. In
actual cash he is comparatively poor man. but in his
holdngsthe personal affection OF an army OF authors
and stars-he is multimillonalre.
In the hollow of his remarkably small hand he holds
the foremost playwghts actors and actresses OF the
world but between him and them there is not SO much
of written contract could be put postage stamp
People call him great manager because he has achieved
the unprecedented feat of controlling the play market
of America, England, France and Germany and at the
time gathering the principal acting talent OF the
Old World and the New. But he is something far more
interesting than great theatrical manager nor could
that which he has accomplished be done by great
theatrical manager. Mr.. Frohman is than that
he is great personality.
THE world is inhabited by two races-those who give
and those who take by contact with their fellows
persons who energize and persons who enervate In
ten-minue talk with Charles Frohman you charged
with myriad of ideas and Impressions 1t may, most
probably will be- talk midway between play rehearsals
or the tag end of crowded day in his office. But you
will away from that ten minute talk wherever you
have it. full of stock of definite ideas, eager talk
to write the impressions you have received And most
curious Of ALL you will in those ten minutes become
intimate with Charles Frohman anybody does in ten
years.
A man meeting thousands, knowing thousand faces
and MANY Names Charles Frohman is entirely without
intmates dislike for meeting people, and
SO for getting into crowds public functions, makes
him not much more than name to hundreds of people
who work for him. who are, curously enough without
ever having him heard the sound OF his voice.
tenselv fond of him. That is the power of great per-
sonality Things always done thus and in each
Frohman organization because though he may be away
in London Paris, or Berlin, that is the way &C. F."