The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-11

n"Red Lady"
hesitancy in asking for free admis-
sion to see them"
That reminds me Of an experience
I had this morning" he said. II
stopped to buy some fruit of a dealer
from whom I frequently make such
purchases. Waiting on me himself. he
at once took advantage of the personal
contact with me to say that he would
like seats for the Thursday matinee of
Tiger. Tiger-for his wife's mothers
sister. AS absurd as that may sound.
II isn't bit more ridiculous than hun,
dreds Of requests that come into my
office weekly for passes. 1t would be
a good thing IL everybody connected
with a producer in anyscapacity that
enables them to give out passes could
go into retirement during the run of
a play so that enough tickets could be
available at the box Office to defray
the expenses of production! But it
hasn't been done. For there are al
ways the mails. and letters would find
their way to one even in retirement
About half the letters that come into
my office daily are requests for free
admission to one or another Of Mr.. Be-
lasco's plays. And the requests come
, usually from people who have the
! fllmsiest excuse for making them
often with no logical reason why they
should expect to be admitted on
pass. Nor is the ticket graft confined
to the chap who can't AFFORD to pay.
In fact I believe the greater number
| number OF such demands come from
people who can well afford to pay for
| their amusement in the theatre. They
seem to be inspired by the idea that
| it is an honor to be the guest Of the
producer, the star or some one high in
authority. Nor does the fact that a
play is selling out Gas most of Mr..
Belasco's do) seem TO make the slight
est bit of difference to them. They
ask. and ask, aid ask again and yet
again."
Asked II he believed a play is ever
| made successful by what is known in
theatre circles as "papering the house"
the first few weeks of its run. Mr..
Belasco gave a negative reply.
IF play is not worth paying for
and is not thus recognized at once 1t
isn't worth keeping on the boards.
Nothing could make it a success in
any true sense OF the word" Mr.. Be
lasco declared. "Of course business
may be temporarily inflated through
such advertising, but it is spurious
imitation. 1t does not least. and, in my
opinion, never justifles the trouble and
expense it costs. 1t has never been my
method at any time during my career
1t never will be my method. Just as
Miss Starr has commented, what I
offer in the theatre is my commodity
and as I myself have said. there
will be fewer people asking for free
admissions only when a greater num-
Der realize that the theatre Is an es-
sential in the life of nation and
not merely the luxury which the ma
jority now think it to be-"
One OF the most notable array Of
stage stars ever assembled in a COM
mon cause will appear at the Metro
politan Opera House Sunday night,
May II, in the Theatrical Profession s
Testimonial to the lassies of the Saliva
ton Army This benefit is the fore
runner of tho big campaign to be
waged for the Salvation Army Home
Service Fund. which begins May 10,
lasting through that week, when
s13. 0O0, 900 are to be raised.
The benefit performance Is being
given under the personal direction of
Daniel Frohman, Conan & Harris
George NJ. Conan of the latter organ
ization heading the list Of the artists
to appear; David Belasco and Il. f.
| Albee. The spontaneity with which
| the stars volunteered their services for
| this their one night of recreation In
| the week amply attests their affection
for the Salvation lassies who bravef
the vigors of the battle front to aic
and comfort our doughboys In the
trenches, in their billets and at thu
| various camps overseas and at home.
II When the New Brighton Theatre
opens for the season on Monday after
noon, May 10, musical coined!
favorites, stars of tho operatic AM
concert stages and prominent Broad
way players. in vaudeville for brie
two a day. In a few instances th'
summer visits. will share head!ln
honors with recognized artists of III
ENGAGEMENTS will extend for a fort
night or longer, but the majority vi
.