The New York herald., 1922-11-26

most important people in our modern
American theateri)
An Optimistic Producer
And an Image of Disgust
Picture Mr.. Belasco sitting In the
stalls looking like an artists study.
with his beautiful white hair, watch
| ing attentively, with q benign expires
sion on his face a smile for every one
all sympathy over ones difficulties.
He Is usually optimistic about his pro
ductions Cor pretends to be. by way OF
encouragemenD, and is justified by the
result
Now, Mr.. Dean, an image OF discon-
solate disgust and desperation--wan-
dering restlessly all over the theater
throwing up his hands as though in Inn
.precatlon-or sitting 'accable" (tlere
| is no other word for it,, scowling at
the world with his hat on the hack
of his head and a cigar in one corner
OF his mouth. The complete pessimist.
This mood gives way to one of feverish
excitement on the first highland
leaves him the most surprised and de-
lighted OF mortals when another az
founding success is assured.
To him the Great Game is a delicious
agony-a torture but OF great sweet
ness. To Mr. Belasco it is pure Joy
and what 1t is to themselves they each
make Il for every one else. Mr.. Be
lasco believes in the efficacy of praise.
and, mostly, even does his fault finding
pleasantly. Mr.. Dean inistrusts the
natural egoism OF the actor. and will
never praise any one wholly until the
last day of rehearsal, when he goes
around with a face like q prospective
suicide and fondly imaglnes he Is
Cheering every one up with his
eleventh hour "encouragements."
But any actor or actress should be
glad OF the privilege OF few years
work under such directors-no matter
whether playing star roles or kitchen
maids.
To watch either Of them at work is
an education in Observation-Disclosures
! for the technique OF acting or produc-
ton.
/ Some weeks ago there was q great
deal in the papers about a movement
among certain managers to help in OBJ
tanning properly trained young actors
by giving the dramatic schools the
I
dress rehearsals.
Now q dress rehearsal by itself Is
no good to anybody. 1t is Just an or
dinery performance without the CO.
! operating audience Gin other words,
rather a poor performance). with in
terminable waits between the acts TO
waste ones time and tire one out.
Any corrections or instructions (from
which one might learn) arc given be-
tween the acts. behind the lowered
curtain. in secret
What is really wanted Is for the
managers-end especially their casts
(for Il 4, the actors who are most
likely TO ooject). to Issue 10 these stu
dents the privilege of attending at
least the last week Of rehearsals Gall
OF then). on course. ~ should be as
certained that the right type Of stu
dents-thoss who sincerely intend TO
follow "the profession'--are chosen.
The privilege might DO made q reward
'or good work IN the academies. Then
the managers and actors would bo
sure that only those who would really
profit by what could undoubtedly bo
learned under these circumstances.
md not those who would be ''out for
amusement" would be availing them
elves OF the privilege.
The reason that most dramatic
schools are such woefully inadequate
raining for a profession which after
vi. demands as much technical knowl-
'i ige as most others-is that they are
often stated by either out of date
actors-or those who are not good
anough at their Job 10 obtain first
class engagements themselves (other-
wise they would not. ss a rule, take up
Instructing"-or ntA-instructing).
Consequently the only real and SER
'iceabie training Is In watching real
actors who know their job-at work
under real directors. who know theirs
and absorbing the actions OF the
one and the directions Of the others.
This attendance at rehearsals OF
plays. IN which they are not person
lily concerned. is an opportunity for
training which Is extended by Mr..
Belasco 70 certain and occasional young
players IN whose possibilities he IS In
terested-and which is made oblira-
tory for the Junior members of the ST.
Martins Theater Company, London. BY
Mr.. Basil Dean.
udNE GN0SfH " NElNc tWU
masters IN the theater-one long
established and revered--the other
winning his way 70 his position in the
face Of the opposition inevitably Of
fered by any Institution to new things.
On course. you cannot turn anywhere
and hnd their equals. II would be &
great thing for the theater II ono
could But II tho public generally
undcrstood more about theatrical d.
rectlon---and ~ young etagc aspirants
in particular. took Il seriously as tho
great instructive power II really Isl
think It would lead 20 an inspiring de-
mand for ever better and better things
which would prove help and en-
couragement 20 many excellent d.
rectors who DO not yet command the
recognition or the llmelieht SO rightly
accorded (cach hy his cwnb TO 'hrss