New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-02

london ror. D. Robert CourtHeij@e.
II tfo Shaftoshurr Thoalrn. probably
RANKS 200 ono go Go-r,c t6wardcs IS
En.Iand'S most .ccco snH piolucor o.
musical comedy. II vas ~ the Shaftc>-
bury that the Belle Of New York" cap
tiv.tcd London ana established "a record
that the popular Merry Widow could
not eclipse. hut the Sbaftesbury chief ia z
had mpny notable tridmphs during MS
thirty-fvc Years ass citation with the
theatre. The latest Of chem was ih'
Arcadlans." which London stu talks
about. Mr. Courtncidge Is no faint-ntaI'-
Cd producer. He has the valuable iactl-
ties of perseverance and pJsGGcltN Wei
developed. one could ute Instances where
his belief N the value Of his productions
haS received no CoTrObo ration from tne
public for weeks after the plays nave
been staged. and Yet they have mvauab'y
won out IN the end II, hardly knows "e-
feat. and only admits it long after most
of his confr,res would have relinqulsh"o
the battle. \ costly business sometime
o., admits. bat his battles with thai nck'e
iadc. the public taste. show Il balance On
the richt .idr. Although IL j. SOM years
since Nr. Courtneidse was in America. ht
IS kccrIV Interested in American prod g.
lions and producer. and jealous of III"
.air name of the English cities. lie rather
.,scnts the hard Things which iirnS
savage had 10 say about them after the
production o. r. ,iywomsu.
- drink II ABSOLUTELY tuule To take
such views a. those expressed 10y Say
axe. sa.d Mr. Cowtueidse TO Tribu"'
representative. He WAS evidently leel-
NJ very hipped know there il ~"
pr,iudice of any kind in England against
q plal. no matter what IL, origin. 1t doc
not matter whether it j. American Al
d.navian or Wher, il comes from, So LONE
"a IL j. good
MI Courin,idse &. essentially believer
ina the star" system. am he has this
season had evidence IF the value OF =
publ, faNorite i'm The cast. Ii Was 1eoi ic
Graves. the greatest Of musical comeds
comedians Ia England. VINO made 'Ir'n-
COS, Caprice" and now that Graves mas
haC To 20 into pantomime at Drury LAM.
princess Capiice' j. soon TO Nacate tn
ShafteSbury for without the persona''\
Of Graves the public does not love hr'
nearly 30 much a. II did. II is to tins
absence of the familiar name Of the pop
ulsr idol from certain American pa! :
staged i'm England that Mi tourtnel".
asoribcs their lack Of success
-rh,re are number "f reasons VIII
American PLAYS have not done well mere
he said. and chief OF ali H. the fact
that they have generally been plai el
solely by American companies. The names
Of the leading actresses and actors cor
vcy nothing To the Enslsh pubic, anu
that la Itself : almost iatai The Ems
lish theatregoer is not curious person.
If. waits To be told and does not 20 to
fin; ont for himself All this j. very dit
tereni to what obtains in America There
tou have a race "f piaNsoerS. nut mel
that Scltc, BODY H. in a great mlnoflt!
md tbs j. one reason Why You must
t.ls,s.rc il you know YOU have col =
GOOD thing Pa, lie apathy IN the ear
N,cfs Of play t. no sure sign OF ial-
RE They come only when they have %
g., ivrd some personal assurance that ire
trn. is good. but YOU will meet very few
who No, III dram -! Going To find ont FOR
themselves.
"Nnothcr contributorN cause I" the non
success Of American plays is the lack "f