The New York herald., 1921-09-18
By LUCIEN CLEvEs.

AVID BELASCO did not decide last
spring without a pang to deprive
the cities outside New York Of
the opportunity to see one of his great
est triunphs In ''Deburau." 1t was with
genuine regret that he caused the beauti-
full costumes to be put into camphor and
the scenery hung in rolls. But when he
sent "The Easiest Way" out on its
brief preliminary tour he recognized the
wisdom Of his action. For the trans
portation Of such theatrical enterprise
would have been too expensive to be
undertaken by any manager.
"Since 1909 railroad fares have about
doubled" Mr.. Belasco said to the re-
porter the other night as the crowd
swept into the Lyccum Theatre to see
Frances Starr in Eugene Walters play,
and this includes sleeper fares and In
cidental expenses. Take The Easiest
Way company in 1909. The New York
Transfer bill from the Belasco Theatre
to the Grand Central Station was at the
rate OF SC load for scenery and bag
gage. When the same service was re-
| CURED this year, the company going to
Asbury Park by the Pennsylvania sta
ton instead of tho Grand Central, the
cost was $50. Think OF that for a
jump In prices. Then the salaries OF play
ers have increased from so to 100 per
cent. and dresses more than 400 per
cent"
Tho Dutch Process.
The young man who carried off tho
honors OF the first performance OF Tho
Merry Widow" Is not, In spite of his
accent. native OF the Central Empires.
He was born in Holland 1t is not in
the least surprising that ne has such
pronounced accent. Indeed he has
done remarkably well to have learned
In short time English enough to play
the part of the prince.
Mr.. Savage engaged him on condition
that he should master English In six
weeks. 1t looked difficult at the time,
as he could not speak q word of the
tongue. With such a talent for strange
languages, however, Reginald Pasch
may not have q trace OF accent In an
other six weeks
Oscar Pasch. his grandfather, was an
impresario who at one time included
Jenny Lind among his artists. His
rather was singer and determined that
his son should follow that career. He
rebelled for while and acted I'm Ger
many, taking part in some OF the Rein
hardt productions. He returned to Am
sterdam and Gang in opera under his
fathers watchful eye. Then he tried
opera In Berlin with success. Later his
father wanted to retire, and his son
was selected to take his place in the
company at Amsterdam. He was there
when Mr.. Savage engaged him. He has
even sung LohenCrin.
We Regret with Thanks.
In spite OF the fact that "I.iliorn" has
proved one of the greatest attractions
left over from the late spring season
and Is still drawing large audiences 10
the Fulton Theatre the fate of Molnar's
drama here hung In the balance for a
long while. Among the managers who
had an opportunity to produce tho work
was Winthrop Ames, who Is said TO
have admitted that he enjoyed reading
the play but doubted its fitness for New
York
William Harris. Jr., was at that time
looking out for play for Fay Banter
and could not see any possible chance
OF success In the role that has done so
much for Eva Le Gallienne A. II.
woods thought the scene In heaven
made the play useless for our theatre
Lyle Andrews would have given the
drama at the Vanderbilt Theatre but
the building proceeded so slowly that the
production turned out to be impossible
"Liliom' was complete failure In
London. II seems possible to under
stand that fato IL one recalls the stall
wart Lynn Harding. He acted the young
hero played by Joseph Schildlxraut here.
Mandarin Makes Prediction.
Although the middle Of September
has passed." one OF the man6arins con-
flded to the reporter OF THn NEW YoRK
HERALD during an intermission the other
night, there Is SO far no play that looks
as II It would last until Christmas. I
can see two running easily untiI
Thanksgiving. One of them may last
longer. BY this time the season should
have brought forth at least one success
with the earrnarks OF all winter about
It. | am referring, of course to the
plays OF this year. One musical comedy
seems destined to last ell season. IL Ia
a hold over. however The new
Iightnin'' has still to be heard from"
Apparently the public has the money
to pay my amount demanded for the
play II wants 10 see.
I'm spite OF the protest OF the man
ayers against the ticket SPECTATORS"
went on this fount Of wisdom. "the pub |
lie is willing to pay the same old prices |
in the same old extravagant way for the |
one particular piece II wants to see. !
There Is no scattering fire. however. |
over the whole theatre field. Demand In |
just now concentrated on smaller |
number OF attractions than ever before.