The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-17
THEATRE MUSICIANS
FIGHT FOR TUXEDOS
Threaten a Strike for More
Pay, Including So Extra
for Ev Hing Clothes.
SHAW PLAY LASTS 2 DAYS
Managers Roaring With Fear
Over Albany Bill Barring
q. 8. Flag on Stage.

Tho cost OF wearing Tuxedos has risen
at least in the theatre. That 10 the
burden OF tho demand that has Just beer
presented by the stage musicians to tn,
Theatrical Managers Protective Asso.
citation. In which, among other requests
for pay increases. the melody monsers
asked for 81 extra a week in every
production where they are forced into
evening attire.
In the new schedule OF wages sub
mitted to the managers By Joseph N
Weber. president of the American Fed.
GRAFTON or Musicians, the members Of the
various orchestras maintain that the
cost of living has jumped 40 hirh n has
MT them In the coat tails II costs
more nowadays for a gentleman to hire
MS full dress. Other members Of thea
rlcal companies are allowed SO much for
wear and tear Of costumes, 90 the In
struNent players feel they are entitled TO
raise whenever they are compelled TO
look fashionable.
The rest Of the schedule Of increases
would give each musician on the average
ABOUT ~ more week. though the scale
varies somewhat according to the num-
Der of times he would have to tuna Nm.
The players have also rebelled against
playing without pay at rehearsals before
musical show opens. though they have
not stipulated for any excess fec for
encores during its run. As not enough
producers were represented, tho man
ayers decided to postpone action on the
demands until next Friday, when there
- The possibility Of a strike being threat
ened IL those Tuxedos affect the mu-
sicians temperaments adversely.
Augustus Does His Bit" Bernard
Shaw's latest attempt to rewrite the war.
which was put on as a curtain raiser to
Toby's Bow" at the Comedy Theatre on
wednesday last has been retired with
all the hopes OF war, having enjoyed
the shortest run of any Of Shaw's plays
produced here without police Interior
ence. The Irish playwright on this side
OF the water was allowed to do his bit
for the drama with this one act play for
exactly two days.
Though It was we'll presented by John
d. Williams and as capably acted as pos
siole by Norman Trevor. Hubert bruce
and Merle Madden. the first night audi
ence did not take kindly to Shaw's re-
vision OF the late unpleasantness
abroad. The impression gained ground
that the dramatist had written II while
thinking or something else and that the
English censor had put himself TO need
less exertion in forbidding 1t. Accord
ingly, Mr.. Williams withdrew II, as the
public here appeared likely to play the
censors part.
1t is not likely that II will be replaced
by another curtain raiser at the Comedy,
as Mr.. Williams did not produce 1t be-
cause he felt "Toby's Bow" needed a
Shavian sideshow TO draw the crowds.
IT was put on because of his personal
friendship for Shaw. who has not re-
ceived n chance to have his fling on
Broadway this year. Apparently, in
view of It's record run. this act of charity
was wasted.
Broadway managers are considerably
sgitated just now over a bill recently in
troduced into the Legislature in Albany
forbidding the use of the American nag
on the stage. particularly as part OF the