The Washington herald., 1913-02-02
PLAY PRODUCERS -.
HAVE BEEN SPOILED
Dramatic Writers Owe Honest Criticism
to Folk Who Patronize
Theaters.
BY JULIA CHANDLER MANI.

of the present generation, declaring that
he (or she) is more concerned with the
exploitation of cleverly turned phrases
for the means of self advertisement than
with fair, straight criticism Of produc-
ton.
When a manager CANDLES $4,000 on
production, he is entitled 10 a jury, which
shall be competent. reliable, and untram-
meIed," Mr.. Savage informed his auditors,
10 which he might have added the just
dues of a public which is asked to pay
500 or $50 for a good seat to see a play.
If the producer is entitled TO "a compe-
tent, reliable, untrammeled jury the
folks who are asked to spend their equally
good money are certainly entitled to no
less.
From my personal observation, would
say that the greatest trouble with the pro-
life producers of to-day is that they have
been so spoiled by the hot lava OF syco-
phantic criticism that they have come to
look upon the theatcr as holy ground; the
drama as something sacred which must
be approached by the critic with hypo-
critical genuflectiOn.
There is nothing about the drama which
justifies the burning of incense to it. for
there is more triCkery, more rouginE.
more padding, moro dishonesty in the
damatic than in any other art. for which
we max blame the critics all over the
country, who are too given to rapt and
forid criticisms whose keynote is just
tho consideration for the producer, which
Mr.. Savage says does not exisz.
The average critic is so thoughtful of
the financial backing of production that
he soft soaps the important bad plays IN
such way that garish and commonplace
dominates the theaters of the land, while
real masterpieces are but poorly attended.
There is absolutely IN WbV Thp
theater should not be treated frankly and
sanely: no reason why the critic should
not demonstrate instead of compliment the
playwright who insults the intelligence
and the taste Of the drama-loving public
with flmsy or immoral stage stroies.
The theater of to-day is a better theater
than that OF a generation past but # is
still guilty Of so much violation of truth.
Of such tawdry servility to effect, that
even the most artistic of productions is
seldom free from shoddiness.
The most important event in Washing
ton theaters of the present season will be
the two performances of grand opera by
the Chicago Grand Opera Company at
Chase's Theater on the afternoons OF
February and February Il
The Chicago Grand Opera Company,
which has been in existence but three
years, is supported by the music-loving
citizens of THE Windy City" where a
season Of ten weeks is given each year,
after which the company devotes seven
weeks to Philadelphia, during which De-
riod five performances are given at the
Metropolitan Opera House. New York,
Win occasional performances in Balti-
more.
For the Washington performances two
or the most popular OF the operas will
be presented. with several of the worlds
greatest singers in the casts Next Fri
day afternoon Mary Garden will be
heard in Puccini's three-act opera. "'Tos-
ca" in the role of F7oria Tosca. in
which she created the greatest operatic
sensation OF years last month in Chi
caGo.
Leon Campagnola. the famous French
tenor. who has achieved signal American
success since he Joined the Chicago or
EaniZation (whence he came from the
Paris Grand Opera Company, will sing
the role of Mario Cavaradossi. Mario
Sammarco, the noted Italian harytone,
will portray the crafty and sinister pre-
feet Of police, Baron Scarpin, which is
admirably adapted TO the display of kis
unusual vocal and dramatic powers.
The orchestra of seventy, which is sec
ond to none in America, will be under
the mastery direction of Cleofonte Cam
paninL
May Irwin, whose inirnitable gift of
comedy was last given expression here
in the Belasco Theater in Getting a
Polish" returns this week to the New
National Theater in a brand-new piece
bearing the title. widow by Proxy"
The comedy has been seen thus far only
by St Louis, Toronto, Detroit, and Co
lumbus, and will go Immediately after
its Washington engagement to Broadway.
Miss Irwin, who has had a notably
successful career, graduated from the
varieties when she Joined the late Rich
ard Golden in his famous success. "Old
Jed Prouty," after which engagements
followed in quick succession with John
RusselIs comedians in The City Di-
rectory," Jimmie Powers in The
r. Daily in "A Country Sport" It was
in this piece that Miss Irwin attracted
the attention of Augustin DAILY and made
the radical change from farce-comedy
to the distinguished organization under
the direction of that illustrious director
at Dalys Theater.
Miss Irwin's stellar career began in
''The Widow Jones'" which was follow
ed by THE Swell Miss F1tzswell.'' THE
Belle Of Bridgeport" Mrs. Black Is
Back" Sister Mary" ''Madge Smith,
Attorney" Mrs. Wilson, That's All"
and Getting a Polish" all of which
we're dominated by Miss 1rwin's effer-
Vescent spirit.
II you'll turn over a leaf or two of
your memory book you may find there
some recollection of girl who appeared
all OF a sudden on a summer night about
ten years ago, on the stage OF Chase's
old Avenue playhouse in the chorus OF
one Of those musical comedies conducted
there at that time by Max Hoffman dur
ing the summer months, with Mary Mar
BILE. Little Chip, John w. Dunno. David
Andrada, Otis Harlan, and Henrietta
Reid as the principal members of the
musical stock company.
When Mr.. Hoffman presented the young
STRIPPING to Mr.. Chase, the proprietor
confessed that he could see neither rhyme
nor reason in engaging her, for she look
ed like little brown sparrow and a half
starved one at that. The most conspic-
uous thing about her was her shock OF
wiry hair, and her long, lean arms,
which resembled those of a Gorilla How
ever, Mr.. Hoffman had his way, and the
girl was engaged at a salary of SIS a
week.
After ten years of indefatigable work.
iron determination, and indomitabIe will,
this self-same girl comes to the BeIasco
this week, having earned a for
tune on the stage, and put on her own
$4,000 production, in which she Will be
seen in over two dozen characters.
or course, 1 am talking about Ger
trude Hoffman and the Broadway OF |
Paris" review. |
By the way didn't miss it far last