The Washington herald., 1915-08-08
AUGUSTUS THOMAS WOULD
IMPROVE STAGE LIGHTING

Augustus Thomas, the new art di'
| rector of the Charles Frohman Com
pany. has assumed his duties with q
modesty that would have pleased tho
man whose work Mr.. Thomas hal
| taken up and who still is referred tc
about the Empire Theater Building
as &C F"
At his desk in the Frohman Offices
! last week Mr.. Thomas broke his 81.
I lence for the first time since entering
upon new work Whatever ! MAY
do" he said to a New York Herald
reporter, it is my desire to be guided
| by high intentions. great respect fol-
| the profession and art and a deter
mination TO keep faith with the pub
lie. recollectine first that the theater
is a business enterprise"
What is the theaters greatest need
just now" he was asked.
Good plays, we'll acted" was the
reply without moments hesitation
All directors work differently" he
continued. 1T has been and will con-
tinue TO be my method to regard the
actor as a medium and not as ma l.
rionette.
One of the needs of the playhouse,
and one that I will strive to provide
lighting which I hope will relieve the
efforts of players of a certain degree
of artificiality. BY this I want correct
lighting TO do the work and to gain
the effects that are usually accom-
plished by makeup Let me explain
without being technical Certain shad-
ows are produced as result of make =
up on the features of the artist. This
same effect can be gained by lighting
always appealed 10 me as most I'M
portant one"
Asked if the Frohman company
would present his new plays, Mr..
Thomas said that the company GER
tainly would have that opportunity If
IL desired what he had written.
He has just completed a new play
entitled Nan" the scenes OF which
are laid in an army post in the South
is the locale of Arizona" The new
work is in four acts. and in the opin-
ion Of the author is a deeper, more
dramatic play than his earlier one.
1t will not be given to the public
until the season is we'll advanced Mr..
Thomas explained that il has been hts
custom TO go abroad once a year to
keep in touch with the European stage
and that he will continue this policy
when times again are normal.
Not the Only One.
Evidently Vernon Castle is not to
be the only Englishman to return to
take his place in the English army.
John May. who was with Selwyn and
company all last season. has just
written the following letter to them
expIa lining his sudden departure for
England.
Gentlemen: Having been called out
by the government and received my
appointment in the navy as Lieut.. r.
". c. v. R.. am sorry to have TO tell
you that shall be unable to be with
Selwyn and company this coming sea-
son. and that some one else will have
to rehearse in Under Cover
Had not been called by telegram
would have let you know before
left New York. but I had TO leave
very hurriedly.
Please accept my thanks for the
long and happy season at the Cort
Theater in Under Cover" and IL after
the war I should want employment 7
hope Selwyn and company will not
forget me
Please have any letters for me sent
to the address appended.
My kindest regards to YOU all.
JOHN MAY.
Lieutenant r. y. c. V. r. H. NJ. c.
5 Diana, Naval Dockyard. Halifax.
Nova Scotia.