The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-19
NEWS AND GOSSIP
OF N. Y. THEATRES
Talk Of a Substituted Stage Is
Rpvived-TOscanini's
Plans Discussed.
~BERNHARDT HERE DEC. 1

Nv ~ iilht W =" '>.
Is said to be be cked by a foreign Power?
Those who are supposed to know every
detail connected with the new artistic
enterprise which will soon be launched
here speak OF 1t as an assured fact that
the funds to make the season possible
are supplied by the country in which its
founder won his fame as an actor and
lecturer.
The Theatre Michel In Petrograd,
which Is one o. the best OF the French
theatres, receives a subsidy from the
French Government, although that is
said to have been Withdrawn during the
war. Juclen Bonheur might have got
some subsidy for his Theatre Fran
Gals here from the French Government
but for the war. 1t WIS for a while
seriously intended TO found an Italian
theatre here. which the Government
should subsidize in ordsr to make the
modern works OF the Italian drama
known here. That scheme was aban-
doned three Years ago on the ground
that the Metropolitan Opera House vas
sufficiently Italian to represent that
nation here N the arts.
The various German theatres strug-
gled along here always without a sub
sidy. and there has been no previous
example OF a playhouse which receives
the guarantee OF its support from any
foreign Government. But according to
those who IRE most exactly Informed
on the subject. New York will have
just such a theatre within a short time.
Arturo Toscanini's reasons for de-
string to remain in italy this season are
altogether personal. There is nothing
In connection with his professional
duties at the Metropolitan Opera House
with which he Is not entirely satisfied.
II IL Just as false to say that he is
Jealous OF .he arrival of Leopold Bo-
dansky. who IL 10 look after some OF
the operas In the Wagner repertoire. as
that he is hurt because the title OF gem
eral music director has not been con-
ferred upon him. He knows perfectly
well that he can conduct all the Wag-
ner operas he desires 10 and has al
ready had the opportunity to be called
by any tile he might wish.
As A matter Of fact the close q the
last season at the Metropolitan Opera
House found the Italian conductor more
physically exhausted han usual. The
routine seems to be more exacting to
hin han 1t usually did at that time OF
the year and the thought OF signing an
other contract was unhearable. All he
wanted to do was conduct A few SYM
piony concerts. After ne got to Eu-
rope Toscanini's interest In the war
reached such a point that he could think
Of nothing else When his son went
to the front that interest grew even
more intensely personal and now there
Is li;tle else hat irterests him.
I'M in1aaA - said tha narEnn who II
Of all the most important H. the admin
istration OF the MetrN politan Opera
House - THE SUN reporter. "Tosca-
Mn has no grievance OF any kind. He
krows hat he can have any reward
which the Metropolitan can give him.
In case he does not return this year
he will AZ all events come later"
Both G!vrglo Polacco and Tuliio
Serahn will bee engaged in case Sgnor
Toscanini does rot come TO this coun-
try this year.
The little Ban1hox Theatre, which
was the scene 81 so many experiments
last season. will not he available for
mat purpose this winter, a. the Wash
ingto0 Squar" Players viii use the
3 h use every night. So the Irish Thea
tire under Whitford Kane which occu-
pied this playhouse for several weeks
will have to look elsewhere for shelter
his season. There will he a season
Of Irish plays beginning November.
Bertha Mann Will act one Of the lead
I-g roles In "W1en the Y,unE Wine
blooms when Emanuel, Reichcr pre-
sents Bjorusten's play az the Garden
Theatre.
Elisabeth Mnlhury saws that she has
formed an advisory board with which
she will work on an her theatrical en-
terprises this season Il viii c"0sist
OF Elsie de Wolfe for interior dec,Ia-
lion, Robert Chanler for al the far~i-
ful and bizarre scenic effects" Peter
,ocper Hewitt for electrical effects.
: Jerome Kern for all points appertaining
to hight music. Melville Ellis for c.S-
tunes and Maurice for dancing Miss
Marbury will convene this body when
she reeds advice ss to any OF her pro
ductiors, OF which many have been pre-
pared for tho coming season.
Mise Mlrhury IS unlike any other
theatrical manager II she allows any of
this board Ct advisers or any other
advisers. volunteer or solicited, 10 have
any effect on hcr plans, We have vet
10 see any theatrical manager who dli
rot know 1t all himself.
W. +. Conuor now thinks that Mime.
Rernhardt viii be able ~ get to the
United states by December /, If indeed
she is not playing here hy that date.
one OF her difficulties is stiil to engage
a company Of actors, rs most Of the
Frencrmen are too patriotic Ia leave
their country now.
Even II Nine. Bernhardt is unable to
fulfil her contract in this country it il
probable that her admirers here will