New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-10
THE DIARY OF A PLAYWRIGHT

Is related by Laurence Eyre. author Of
"Tbe Things that Count" "Sdzus MGtdzVs'
and "Driftrod." The first named irds pro-
duced Nth fnir success several seasons
ago. the second 1cds produced nth huge
tdilure year ago, end the thTd UtH oe
produced-tCih rhdt results y - unpos-
sibls TO say-on the 18th Of this month.
THURSDAY, June I, 1916 finished
L play to-day. And it is to be pro-
duced. like its name-"Sazus Ma
tazus." I know what it means; will the
public ever guess?
Monday, June S.-Rehearsals begin
to-day. / can't believe it's true.
Monday, July 3.-In Atlantic City.
We open tonight. I can't believe it's
really my play. Mr.. Harris-he's my
manager-insists that 1t is. Further
more, he says he doesn't want there TO
be any mistake about it. Can he have
a hidden meaning?
Late Tuesday afternoon, July A.
What has happened? Mr.. Harris has
gone back to New York. I've read all
the criticisms-may / never have TO
read such again. It's awful. And I've
got to stay here the whole week. ]
don't know why it is, but it seems that
an author has 20 stay with his play
when it's bad. If it's good, the man
eyer stays. At any rate, III be
alone.
Saturday, July 81 1Uds alone-in
the theatre and out Of it. II it hadn't
been for the actors on the stage |
would have been scared to be in the
theatre tonight. But I still like the
play and the name-"Sszus Matazus."
I never will forget It. The public shall
hear of 1t yet.
September We'll, Pm still alive.
"Sazus Matazus" has been forgotten.
Even Mr. Harris, hear, is about to
produce a new play. 1t isn't by me.
December IL hear that Mr.. Harris
has entirely recovered from the effects
Of "Sazus Matazus." He has produced
"The Thirteenth Chair" and every one
says it's hit. I'm very glad. He will
soon be a rich man.
February We'll, I've got an idea
for a new play. Had talk with Mr..
Harris-he says he likes 1t. "Sazus
Matazus" wasn't even mentioned.
April brought the new play in
TO Mr.. Harris. Have got to change it a
little. He likes it.
May FINISHED my new play. I'm
going to call it "Driftwood" Now to
induce Mr.. Harris to produce it. |
hope he doesn't still think about "Sszus
Natazus."
May 1o.-Great news. Mr.. Harris will
produce "Driftwood." He's given his
word. Now things look bright indeed.
May Fittings aren't always as
nice as they look. Yesterday after
noon, when | walked up Broadway. half
a dozen actors seemed very glad to see
me. This afternoon | met several OF
them. and when | told them honestly
didn't think there was anything for
them in "Driftwood" they acted as
though | had hit them in the face. |
tried TO tell them had kept the num-
her of characters as low as possible so
that some manager would be willing 70
produce my play. My explanation
seemed 10 be most unsatisfactory.
May 12.-Frankly, am worried. Saw
Mr.. Harris to-day. He seemed unwil-
ling TO talk about the play. Was con
cerned, seemingly, only with his new
car. Spoke Of taking me for ride, but
when | learned that he had never
driven L car pleaded other engage
ments.
May I3.-My pleadings have been in
vain. To make matters worse, | an
rounced WAS going back home to
Philadelphia. Mr. Harris promptly Of
f,rod 70 drive me- over. what could I
cay?
MAJ l6.=uome a. lasl. What ridel