New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23

The only way I can account for my
earlier opinion of "Misalliance" is that
the stage has advanced so rapidly and
so far in the last few years that Mis-
alliance" is now not only possible
but a necessary production in the the
atre.
cabled Shaw for the rights. lie
replied: 81 have suggested 'Misalli-
snce' fifty times" but had never had
any correspondence or word from him
on the matter, so probably his letters
regarding it went the way of the sub
marines. This time matters have been
much more simple. A cable from Shaw
settled the matter. He wrote me about
the cast and fell in with our sugges-
tions, approving OF every member OF
the company l had selected.
Shaw wanted me to play the aviator,
but | had already made arrangements
to produce Dion Cslthorp's THE Old
Country" charming romance, which
Gerald Du Maurier did in London.
Besides, I have long wanted to pro-
duce some plays in which I should
not personally appear "Misalliance"
seemed to offer the right opportunity
for this, ard with the cast | had as
semble6 it was not necessary for me
to take part.
believe Shaw is more appreciated
in America than in England. Forbes
Robertson used to say that it seemed
to him like playing two entirely differ
ent plays when he acted Caesar and
Cleopatra" which Shaw wrote for him,
in England and America. Getting
Married" as | have already said, was
a far greater success in America than
in England. I believe in Bernard
Shaw. He is the greatest writer Of
this age, the greatest dramatist since
Shakespeare. Later | expect to pro-
duce Shaw's "Man and Superman," but
will not appear in II. As soon as the
war is over | am going to present
"The Devils Disciple" Both Forbes
Robertson. who created the role, and
Richard Mansfield, who acted il on this
side, urged me to secure this play.
Forbes Robertson said: "If you were
ten years older, you could play Dick
better than any of us Ten years
having passed, ! wrote Shaw and told
him what Forbes-RobertSo had said.
Shaw gave me the rights, but wishes
the play to be held over until after
the war, as the public might accuse
him Of declaring England a foe to
lbertv, which was far from his intcn-
ton when he wrote the piece.
have always been a great believer
in plays. Without a play, no actor,
however great, popular or famous, can
succeed. 1t has been my ambition all
my life to produce good and great
plays, whether | appear in them or not.
| found, when was acting under other
management, that could not have the
freedom felt necessary to develop my
ideals, so | became an actor-manager.
Ny first production was Stephen Phil
lips's great play, "Herod," which |
want to revive some day. II is a mas
terpiece and should not be allowed to
be shelved. Ny Shakespearian plans
have been interrupted for the present,
but | am now thinking over a scheme
whereby an annual Shakespearian
festival could be held in New York and
ether large cities of the country, en-
listing the services of the leading play
ers of the stage.
"The Old Country" which l appear
in next month in New York theatre,
is q romantic play OF the type | acted
during the earlier days Of my career.
| think there is place in the theatre
for plays of this sort, as we'll as for
the big classics of yesterday and to-
day.