The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-30

men, BE kind to me II you cam but
whatever you do don't overlook me-
THAT describes exactly the only
thing a play need fear on its opening.
II the audience Just doesn't care
whether II goes on to the finish or not
and than goes home to talk about
suffer.
Infinitely to 30 preferred is an
audience which becomes violent in its
opposition TO the play---so violent,
In fact, that It never stops talking
about It. You can rest assured II
that IL the kind Of first night audi
ence you have drawn your play will
succeed Handsomely II It is really a
good play, because people will so to
see for themselves when they hear II
being discussed so pers,stently.
And Just one more word There
really may be first night audiences
that arc too friendly. I've seen that
happen. The actors, the play and
tho author all received wildly enthu-
siastic applause. Naturally the man
aser accepted It as fact that his
production was quite all right where
as as a matter of fact there might
have been many things wrong with
1t which he would have discovered had
the audience been a tribe more hon.
est with tho play.
taking It by and large, though,
I'm frank to say that while friendly
critical, conscientious audience La to be
most desired on tho opening night
the thing which really counts ia your
play. II advice was to be offered n
young theatrical manager, It nigh
best he: Keep your eye on the play
and never worry about the audience
william Harris. Jr.. Agrees.
ISLANDER It AZ you will, curse It a.
you will---we all do at times---there Il
no audience that compares with a
| first night audience for enthusiasm
! Il is blase. It Is show wtse, and some
times even think It is sophisticated
but 1t is not afraid to show what II
likes What's more. II is very cockJ
, over what II likes"
! This ia the view OF william Harris
Jr., who grew up in the theatre as &
matter OF tradition. both his father an(
older brothers being managers, and III
/ has giEaH bec9n8-A producer. -~
but tho strongest part OF frs
night audience" he continued, rs tina
usually Its enthusiasm or its ridicul
Ia peculiar to Itself. What happen
on the opening night Ia very often in
teresting. but not necessarily an omeI
OF what Is going to happen to the play
1t Pays to Advertise had one of tn
most enthusiastic openings eve
saw and Twin Beds was one of III
most discomforting. Both plays mad
a great deal OF money. but 1t Pays 4
Advertise has long since been called II
from the road and Twin Beds pros
pers on. Naturally we Ike to hear til
first nighters speak well OF a play, bu
what they say does not settle It's fate
not any more, Circumstances ar
changing 30 that instead OF being arbi
ters they are now simply tho peopI
who come the first night.
Quick 10 Appreciate Novelties.
But have they any purpose, asid
from filing the theatre when 10 on
else will come? | should say the
have. To judge one particular type @
play they are the best audience In III
world. This Is the play with Broad
way appeal something that's smar
perhaps cynical, perhaps rlsque. bu
sure to be ultra worldly. And who
first n!ghters like the sample Of sue
pay it Ia bound 10 go With people {
similar tastes. There are enough {
such people To g!vc-a plaY so,ncthin
OF run. Il may even ,or n time !
the vogue, but 1t can never be {. gre;
success. That Is because the que: