The New York herald., 1921-05-23
Miss MURlEL STRykER
IN SUM- kjST"
G/obe.

it entirely as an entity distinct from
themselves.
"The Three Musketeers," Richard w.
Temples musical version of Alexandra
Dumas's romance at the Manhattan OPP
era House, is the first case of the re-
Gently adopted Equity shop in a produce
tion within the city limits. The closed
shop could be enforced against the
Southern Light Opera Company, who
made the production. because they were
not members Of the Producing Man
ayers Association, exempt for five years
under the strike agreement. Not only
was 1t necessary to have all tho players
Equity members but a guarantee OF
their salaries was demanded, according
to report, and was met by the pro-
ducers.
The matter of Equity guarantees has
bo5bed up frequently of late and Lee
brunt OF them. He shouldered the
guarantee for the company presenting
IT'S Up to You" at the Casino Thea
tire recently until he decided the burden
show was closed. The same procedure
was adopted by him with reference to
Princess Virtue" at the Central until
this show was closed last week.
Because of his activities in assuming
the guarantees Mr.. Shubert carries as
much weight with the Equity just now
as any manager does. This Is GU
rious change from a couple of months
ago, when the Equity was in arms
against the Shubert company and de-
manded their expulsion from the p. NJ
A. Blu. Lee Shubert, who is one OF the
shrewdest thinkers in the theatrical
business, made his peace with tho
Equity very quicl1ly. and according to
the words of Equity officials themselves
has lived UP to all his pledges since
then.
The result Is that he now has the
makings OF a powerful ally In the
Equity in case he ever needs their
support in his vaudeville enterprises.
Miss Nora Bayes. who was one OF
the leading spirits in the founding of
the Fidelity League. making speeches
at the early organization meetings. and
later becoming life member OF the
lea que, has left it and gone back to
her original allegiance to the Equity.
Not SO long ago Francis Wilson, presi-
dent emeritus Of the Equity, gave
heavy Judgment against Miss Bayes In
a dispute over salary che had with Ju-
Illus Tannen. one of her company In
Her Family Tree"
II IS not often that a manager de-
cides 10 discard a whole company for n
play after trying 1t out on the road. but
such ia the method which has been
taken by william Harris, Jr., in con-
nection with Irish Dew" After the
preliminary presentation of Abbey Nor
chants comedy in Baltimore a week ago
the producer decided that the piece had
many good points which would make IL
a good venture for next season. so In
stead OF discarding the play and retain
ing the company, es managers usually
do. he resolved to dispense with the
cast.
Miss Mary Shaw, hitherto best known
for her Ibsen portrayals. did not seem
to be In her happiest vein in the role OF
the old, plain living Irish woman who
could not endure the Injuries with which
her son surrounded her In her old age.
So with Glenn Hunter who played
young reporter, and the rest OF the COM
pany Harris released thom. and has
since been busily trying out candidates
for the chief role.
He tested Miss Beryl Mercier in Il,
but apparently she could not drop the
cockney viewpoint she has achieved so
successfully OF late for that OF an Irish
woman. He tried Miss Margaret Wych-
eriy, but her playing was too finely
modulated, he thought and II seemed
difficult for hor to broaden II. He even
submitted the part 20 Miss Rose Stahl,
who has been away from the stage ever
since she cleaned up a fortune in "The
Chorus Lady" But none OF them fitted,
and now thcre In Just ms much uncer-
tainty as ever concerning Miss Ehaw's
succes-er.