The New York herald., 1922-08-06
Did You Hear?
About New Way of Making a
Contract With a Great
Musician?
BY LUCIEN CLEvEs.

TINE latest engagement of a great
musical artist was recently ac-
complished in a way that
caused such sensation among the
managers that they are talking about
1t STILL The services of this rraat
virtuoso, who had not been heard in
public for several years were much in
demand. EVERY concert agent and
manager naturally wanted to be as
sociated with such a famous PLAYER.
The mouth of more than one watered
when it was Announced that he was
ready to play a season of concerts in
this couatry. But the terms were not
only unprecedented but of an exactine
financial nature which few men in the
business Of music could negotiate. In
other words. the virtuoso was to re-
ceive In cash $150000 within three
hours after the contract was signed.
or course such a demand was never
made before. but In view of the great
interest attaching to his return the mu-
sician thought he could come through
even such an exacting condition with
success One after another the we'll
known impresarios of the concert field
considered, the proposition and found ID
too much for them. They could not
quite meet the conditions. There was
however. no disposition to abate them IN
any degree. Finally a small concession
was made to the manager who alone
seemed to be seriously contemplating
the proposal. In place of $150.00O on
the table within a few hours after the
contract was signed the artist consented
to accept s135.000. On these terms the
contract was finally signed. The man
ager who was able to meet such un-
precedented conditions has not long been
identified with the great virtuosi. and
he reckoned that. difficult as the con-
tract seemed, 1t would be worth the risk
In establishing him in the profession.
Thus 1t happened that new record In
musical contracts was made. The vir-
tuoso received this unusual sum in ad-
vance and went rejoicing on his way to
practice for the tour next season.
Miks Chatterton ms Adnpter.
When Ruth Chatterton appears with
Henry Miller In Henri Bataille's la
Tendresse" the actress will be seen as
something more than merely the inter-
prefer Of the leading role. 1t is said
that Miss Chatterton made the English
version OF the play. But she did not go
so far as to translate the, title, as the
piece will be acted under the original
name. 1t Is not yet settled where the
two stars will appear. although it is not
improbable that they will be seen at the
Empire Theater.
Henry Miller's repertoire during his
stock season in San Francisco last sum-
mer Is destined to provide material for
more than one theater In New York.
Ina Claire will be seen at the Henry
Miller Theater in Arthur Richmond's
comedy THE Awful Truth" wkhich
was acted In San Francisco with Miss
Chatterton In the leading role. Blanche
Bates. who acted the play in the West,
may later be seen In Her Friend the
King" which is said to provide a splen-
did role for her. A. E. Thomas, who
founded the comedy on story by Har-
rison Rhodes. is now at work on the
piece. which is said to furnish for Miss
Bates such fine comedy role as she
has not had in years.
Another Cohan Success.
Nothing but praise comes from Boston
for Little Nelly Kelly" which George
NJ. Cohan has just presented there. Mr..
Cohan this time wrote the words, text
and music with no assistance. The
heroine is a shopgirl, which enables Mr..
Cohan to carry her into high society
and travesty the popular mystery plays.
OF course there had to be something
about Irish names and this time the
song Is called "The Name of Kelly"
The piece will remain all summer in
Boston and then come to a. New York
theater.
Saved by n Neck.
The season at one of tie stock thea
ters in Washington seemed destined for
premature end so Indifferent was the
public to the efforts of the managers.
At the last minute series of New
York farces was begun and led to such
financial triumphs that the manager
ended his enterprise in blaze of glory.
Ladies Night" Getting Gerty's
Garter" and up in Mabel's Room" we're
the three classics from the repertoire OF
A. H Woods that saved the day.