The New York herald., 1921-11-20
Did idYOuHear?
What Mr.. Erlanger Thinks Of
Giving Away Theatre
Tickets.
by LUCIEN CLEvEs.


every theatre manager learns If he Is
trying to stay in the show business.
Mr.. Erlanger Is one of the men who
were most influential In putting amuse-
ments on the same basis that exists
in other great industries. He did more
than anybody else to eliminate the fly
by night, speculative and uncertain
elements that had long been thought
inseparabie from the methods OF the
theatre manager.
1t is to him therefore that one re-
fers always any question of ways and
means that may arise in the profess
sion. Certain matters recently troubled
the reporter for THE NEW YORK HER-
ALD. He did not understand, for in
stance, why theatre managers who
were supposed to sell them should be
advertising so proudly that they were
giving away theatre tickets. Whether
It was for purposes of education or
mere diversion, or for old shoes or for
any kind of old clothes, or for any OBJ
1ect whatever, It seemed contrary to
all business principles to be giving
away what they are in the business to
sell.
Mr.. Erlanger was therefore appealed
did not want to talk about it. He
would not talk about It. But he was
willing after a while to recite a little
parable which he framed In these
words:
After every war a. lot OF crazy no
tons seem to spring up IN the minds
Of men. The show business always
does get back to normal, and it will
again"
Do you get thai? Although Mr.. Err
langer absolutely refused to be inter-
viewed on the subject OF giving away
theatre tickets, It seeYns possible, In.
deed, without too much pondering, quite
possible, to grasp what he thinks on the
subject
Why They Seem Fewer.
The following letter has reached the
desk OF this commentator on theatrical
matters:
LUcIEN CLEvEs,
1HE NEW IOHk HERALD.
Dear Sir:
read with interest your intima-
tion that English actors are return
ing TO their own shores. II is true
that some OF the best l-Iown, such as
Philip Mertvale, have gone back. But
do you know why? They are returning
IN the hope OF finding some of the jobs
that must have been left vacant by the
small army that has been descending
on the United States since last spring.
Never were there 20 many new arrivals
from the English stage. Not only are
there young ones, as there used to be.
but the more mature representatives OF
the British theatre are also flocking here
IN numbers unprecedented. II is quite
true, as you observe, that some OF the
better known Englishmen have gone
back. Over here we are sure they must
have gone to fill some of the places that
the immigrants to New York have left
vacant. The arrivals are just as nu-
merous as they were before the war.
NEW YoRK, Nov. 19. S. 3. MALBuLc.
He Thought So Too.
The Russian singer had so have an
Interpreter. At all events, he was not
here long before he was constantly in
the society Of countryman, who ac-
coinpanled him everywhere. He even
went with him to the office Of his agent
The agent put plan before the singer.
simultaneously he explained the condt
tons and argued the benefits OF it.
The interpreter explained. The singer
arose to talk with greater freedom.
He roared IN Russian. He sang in
delicate piantssimo. He shouted in
hts earnestness and whispered saga
ciousiy. He walked around the Office
knocking over chairs and waste bas-
lSets. Threw up the window and looked
out Sprinkled little French In the
speech and then relapsed INTO Russian.
The time passed. sim the singer con-
tinued TO talk. Finally he showed
signs OF running down. Tffs breath
came slowly. The words were less fire.
quent to the minute. Gradually he wes
silent. He had finished answering the
agent
What did he say all that timer"
asked the agent turning TO the inter
prefer who had listened intentiy.
"Oh. he say. he say" the Interpreter
answered. "he say he think so too"
Gosh was that all." gasped the agent
IN relief rs he fell back in the chair.
II didn't know what was coming"
Taking IL by the Year.
It IS not so surprising that the the
tire managers are able TO smile IN spite
Of the Indifference Of the public this
year 70 what they have to offer them
II you happen TO be on the inside and
know Just how impresarios are IN the
habit OF counting a seasons loss or
profit. Judging by what a manager
told tho reporter for THE NEW YORK
HERALD they still have a time to smile
In.
mo manager OF any Importance"
said the man who controls one of the
important syndicates. thinks OF count
ing his losses by the week or even by
the month Tie reckons. II he really Is
manager. by the season. he can
never tell when the tide may turn so
decisively that ne may be made rich
or poor, so he waits until the end Of
the theatre year to make sure. There
are uncertainties enough In tho theatre
business. II would turn the hair Of
any theatre man altogether white In a
short time. however. II he tried TO reckon
every week just where he stood on the
season. The big men of the theatre
world do business By the year"
The Music they Play.
Musicians were discussing the cxclu-
siye and highly artistic organization
which gives concerts OF such an ex-
tremely musical character that only the
most advanced audiences are able to
enjoy what is given there.
"Just 10 think" one OF the admirers
of the society exclaimed In rapture.
''the society performs both vocal and
Instrumental works which have rarely if