The New York herald., 1921-05-15

y Ack OF the postponement OF 'he
~ Southern Light Opera Com
pany's production Of "The
Three Musleteers," musical version OF
Alexandra Dumas's romance, at the
Manhattan Opera House, is an inter
esting story OF ambition which meant
profits to the men whom It filled, but
a costly outlay for others. The open
ing performance had TO be deferred
from last Thursday evening until to-
morrow night because two chorus men
zealously insisted on picking up about
$50 on the side, while the postponemen'
meant a loss to the opera company
that was put by an official between
$500 and $4,000.
The two ambitious men were lead
ers OF the chorus. They had been spe-
cially picked from among 100 ap-
plicants who were sent to the COM
pany by agencies all over the city.
Not only was care used In selecting
the ordinary chorus men, for they had
to present a stalwart appearance be-
fitting musketeers, which few male
members Of the merrv-merry DO. but
extra consideration was bestowed on
the leaders, for, In addition to being
strapping figures. they had TO be able
10 fence and sing small parts.
The two men who qualified were
called to jury duty and began drawing
81 4 day extra two weeks ago. Tney
were able to serve the State and the
opera company, too, because rehearsals
were at night. Then. as the premiere
neared the management called day re-
hearsals--and found that the leaders
we're serving among twelve good men
and true.
That threw the management into
quandary. The two men had been care
fully trained and Il would be impossi-
Bile to replace their 200 pound personali-
ties at such short notice. on the 9th er
hand, 1t would be impossible to give
the performance properly without them.
The court case on which they were de-
liberating was due TO go TO the jury
last Friday, but Il was deemed adyis-
able not TO open on Saturday. Monday
was fixed as the opening date. aud N
the meantime the company, having
leased the Manhattan for several weeks.
had to 20 on paying rent without any
return coming in.
The English company specially i'm
ported here for the revival Of THE
Beggar's Opera" left Montreal last
week to return to England. after hav-
ing had one OF the most curious ex-
periences to befall a company. A dis
NAL failure in New York. they were
reorganized and taken over by the
Bohemians. Inc, and became one OF
the few successes visible this season on
the road. At Chicago they played
return engagement after the lapse OF
few weeks at the request OF round
robin signed by leading Chicago citi-
zens. including the critics. and In
Canada they made similar hit.
Success doesn't necessarily mean
money In the theatrical business. Tne
financial profit frequently depends on
the overhead. A striking instance OF
that came 70 light in Spanish Love"
which has Just closed. The production
played through the season 10 an aver
age between $4,000 and $4,000 a week.
which is considered n good return for
dramatic attraction. Yet wagenhals and
Remper are reported 10 have lost si7,-
900 on the production, because OF tho
heavy Initial outlay and the expensive
cast The piece will be sent on tour
next season, when no doubt the man
ayers will morspthan recoup themselves
on Il.
Managers are constantly engaged In
Turing players from one another with
the bait OF increased salaries--except
IN the case OF actors who have LONG
term contracts--but there appears to Le
no hard feeling over this practice. siLce
all indulge In II. The other day n
manager happened In 20 see Ladies'
Night" and Martin Herman. brother
OF A. II. Woods, spotted him. Herman
wen, up TO him with a grin and said
"Heres a proEramme-which player do
you want 70 steal7"
An unusual case OF cooperation be-
tween the Actors Equity Association
and manager has just cropped NJ
Gerald Bacon, realizing he had too
heavy a burden In the salaries paid 10
players in Princess Virtue" after tho
musical comedy opened at the Central
Theatre. toit mem SALARIES would bc
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