El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-03-10
Schuberts Plan To Build
More Theaters For Next
Season; Confident.

JEW YORK. March 10. - The
/ N quantity Of plays OF all types
- which have made their appear
ance in the city this year and the
! bookings promised for the balance of
the season may lead to an unusual
! condition in the theatrical world next
! fall.
: In case the United States IS drawn
into the present war. a similar condi-
/ ton TO that in which England and
I France find themselves. namely, a
| dearth of new material. will undoubt-
! eddy prevail and It is not unlikely
! that many theaters will have to close
on account of new play" shortage.
Producers since the first Of the year
have offered the public more plays
than at any time in the history of
tneatricalS in this country for a like
period, and il begins to look as II the
squirt will work itself out and create
play famine. which to say the least,
VIII be felt keenly by those in search
Of new material
The present war has either called
to the colors or discouraged the ma
Jority of European playwrights, and a
Ike condition would in all probability
be the result of the entrance of the
United States into the present con-
flict-
Aside from the pending international
complications, there is an unnatural
condition existing here. There are
more theaters than ever before, and
sun managers are bemoaning the
shortage Of available playhouses.
Many New Theaters.
On every hand one can note new
theaJers under course of construction.
Some of these will be finished in time
10 open in the fall, and IL is a Ques-
lion for serious consideration whether
there will be new material enough TO
fill them.
OF course the gambling spirit in
America is much stronger than in
some OF the European countries. and
II IS just possible that the theatrical
producers Will continue to take a
chance on new productions war or no
war.
What will happen 70 the people in .
the outlying towns and cities who are
dependent on road attractions" is 4
matter for specula ton. but from
casual glance am under the impress I
the same conditions which now result /
in the metropolitan overflow
In other words, there have been SO
many productions and so few sue
cesses in raio 10 the number involved :
that the managers and producers are
sun striving 10 regain lost laurels and I
bank accounts by getting in on the !
present profitable season. This will /
production which will result in either /
a theatrical depression or else the
greatest outpourings OF theatrical ma
terlal dumped on the road that the
country has ever seen I wouldn't
hazard prophecy on which case will
result.
One thing, however, is certain. the
playwrights and producers cannot keep
up the pace that they are now running. /
and something is going TO break in .
the present theatrical machine
Shuberts to Better Condition.
The unusual condition which has pre-
vailed this season of successful attrac-
tons being compelled TO terminate
larity has been exhausted will not be
IN evidence next year if Lee and J. T.
onubert can prevent il. They have
formulated plans whereby they hope
hat no attractions playing their the
1ters will be forced to move at the
height of success These plans include
q revision of booking arrangements bv
which production can remain on view
N Shubert theater so long as its reve-
lues are greater than its expenses and
the construction of new playhouses
which will meet the ever-increasing
supply of attractions.
This season we have seen a lament (
lDie shortage Of theaters for the pro
auctions on hand" said Lee Shuberr
recently, but this condition is easy
10 understand when we realize that 1
~ nave not as many IlrSt-ciaSS plaT- .
houses now as We had eight or ten /
sears ago. and as a consequence We
ave been forced to limit bookings in
many instances to permit of but four
Eeeks There is considerable talk OF
he rapidly with which new theaters
iprinS' w in New York. but if one in
estigates the circumstances one will
zee that the new theaters do not spring
~ as fast as the old ones are torn
iown- 4 contributary cause to the OK .
'ess of productions over playhouses is
he presentation Of motion pictures at
ieVeral OF the largest legitimate the
tiers" D
Four New PIayhOuses. u
The Shuberts announce that next
eason they viii have four new play Z
louses. which, added to their present ,
ist- will give them opportunity of ex-
endlslg indt finite bookings to attrac- .
ions seeking Broadway enGa gements I
among these viii be two new theaters
o be erected on the plot adjoining the
'hubert theatcr in West gath street. Z
ne Iheater Francois. in 18th street
which VIII be the home OF regular at