New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-17

continental theater and its talent ora.
had toward America are now turned
all eager Difference, a straiaing ds.;.'
tc absorb Americanism.
English Now an
Asset of the Actor
Nearly every actor + interviews :.
Europe" related Mr.. Savage afte, l..
arrival, told me that his pr;n.;,.,
concern in life was to learn tho r
lish language, SO he could fad q n;.s.
in the American theater. The A..
matte and musica! agents meDtio,
knowledge Of English guaranteed, :,
a principal asset for the the el;.,,.
they wish to place The theatri,,i
season in Europe is the leanest b.r.
seen in thirty-hve years. Observation,
In Vienna, where Mr.. Savage -.
manned for fortnight with Far
Lehar, the composer, discussing nI.n,
for the new production Of THE Ms,,,
Widow" also arranging for the A,osr.
lean presentation of Lehar's l..o,.
operetta, THE Blue Mazurka,n tbes,vi
cal fare was especially thin. The o,,.
really sumptuous production and an.
cess, according to Mr.. Savage. is aT..
Blue Mazurka." Musical produetor
are now made in such modest w.,
with scenery from the stoxehouse s,s
with wardrobe that has seen LONG serv.
ice, that it would take transcendeDs
genius in authors and actors to mall.
up for the lack Of stage effects
But unfortunately neither author,
nor actors have been able to do ri,
Authors whose royalties have bee,
largely collected by the state durip,
the war and up to the presen. Object
to putting their hearts blood into il
work whose return will be 50 slioh,
Read "Main Street"
And "Miss Lulu Bett''
Still, engagements are so few s,s
far between that most players nut
their best efforts into their roles. Tsal
Older ones talk about better timesy
aEead, with the optimism that has
characterized player-folk from time
irnmemorial. But the younger ones
arc not nearly as interested in their
native theater as in getting to America
English grammars and dictionaries are
on nearly every makeup shelf. Amer
lean magazines and novels are ayidlv
sought. The continental actor, for
practice and pleasure, spends his time
struggling through Main Street anaE
Miss Lulu Bett.
Even In Paris musical plays are BE-
ing produced with decided ECONOMY NJ
talent and setting, says DIR. Savage.
Only ten girls and two men decorate
the chorus of one current musical sue.
cess in Paris. In Vienna, Berlin and
other Austrian and German cities tie
chorus may be cut down to q half |
dozen. Only the orchestra remains as I
1t was before the war.
lin most cases." recalled Mr.. Savage
the orchestra has been increased
The continental theatergoer is allow
all music lover, and music will b. |
the last part of the production to b
reduced. Managers have kept ther
orchestras intact when they have used
stock-worn scenes and costumes an. J
have doubled their actors in severa
relies apiece"
With Franz Lehar, Mr.. Savage jour.
neyed up to Berlin for the German :
premiere of 1.-THE Blue Mazurka
Lehar had already conducted the thre' +
hundredth performance of the new
operetta in Vienna and was off for 4
tour Of the twenty-odd European citie'e
where it is now being played. In giV'l
ing the American rights to Mr.. Savag'L
the composer arranged that New YorlE
should see the new opera before Lon'E
don. AS mark of his special atfecI
ton toward American audiences Leha'
wrote three special numbers which h
presented to Mr.. Savage "for the New
York opening only" He also gave TIT /
producer q completely new score i@ H
"The Merry Widow" which INCLUDES Il
certain musical projections and re-
vised finale for the second act.
Lehar Deplores
Trend Toward America
Lehar was keenly interested in 'n'
revival of the Widow. Already he hs' q
received from his friend Joseph uroa'
the sketches of the new scenes designs
by Urban for the production, ana u Il
was awaiting Urban's arrival from Me-
York to discuss the color schemes. Wne
Mr.. Savage put to him the all-impor'an
question "Who may be your choice ~
the new Merry Widow herself?" Lens'
replied, "Ah, 1 have choice, but w &
lady is not here." where can she Il
found, them" asked the produces
Where but in America retortea "
har, with a smile.
But, perhaps, hints Mr.. SaSas +
even Lehar will succumb to the stIs'
of Americanitis which has spls~
throughout Continental Europe.
composer of THE Merry Widow IL
never ventured on an ocean trip.
breads travel, strange scenes
strange people. He clings as ei0''s
to his home town and his little ei'''
of friends as did Franz Schubert