The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-07-18

have been informed that the
New York Theatre Guild has been
approached by citizens who want
that organization to come into In
dianapolis.
This is a fact-that If we do not
have the organized audience in In
dianapolis we are going to have
mighty few attractions.
Men who are familiar with\the
booking situation in New York have
told me that only one show has been
penciled in for indianapolis and
that is Walter Hampden.
On the other hand. Nelson Trow-
bridge, manager of the Shubert and
Cox in Cincinnati, is able to def
nitely sell seats for the fall and
winter right now.
And we are still in daze and
inactive again. About the only hope
that 1 can see now is the season
of the Indianapolis Civic Theatre.
In speaking of organized audi
ences, the New York Times prints:
Years of patient confidence in the legi-
innate theater ION the road" are about to
be justified if the Theatrical Press Repre-
sentstives of America carry out the plans
with which their recent meetings have
~
for a scheme such as they are proposing.
it is now. It must be at least two years
ago that their publication. The Quill, be-
gan a monthly campaign for saving the
road through the press agents. Nothing
much happened. though many producers.
dramatic critics and actors expressed a
desire to help. Recently Equity is re-
ported ready to give enthusiastic CO.
operation and all that remains is to get
the plan in operation.
In the many cities throughout the
country where the talkies have been the
closest approach to real theater for some
years the press agents will attempt to
organize guaranteed audiences for first
class productions. They will see the lead
ers of civic and other societies. members
of the Chamber of Commerce. dramatic
editors. drama lovers and leaders of the
local little theater. Some or these citizens.
already interviewed in a number of towns.
believe that legitimate theater is a dis
tinct asset to social and business life.
even if it is in use only about half the
year. Others are in a position to know
what support may be expected for road
shows of merit. A few little theater or
Ranizations are ready to promise several
audiences a month. and their subscriptions
make a good foundation on which to build.
The outlook from the point of view OF
prospective audiences is excellent.
Attractions for the road. which have
been sadly lacking for many years. are
also beginning to increase in a promising
fashion. list of more than sixty
troupes for touring next season has been
compiled by the press agents. Twenty
New York producers. some with last
years successes. others with several
shows in preparations are already booking
on the road. and are including more than
the usual "kev cities" The Theatre
Guilds out-of-town subscription cities and
the road towns to be visited by managers
affiliated with the Guild are counted in
this list. but there are at least thirty
productions setting out boldly without a
definite promise of patronage. An office
in New York which is in touch with every
stock company reports that at present a
hundred companies are doing good bust
ness, in contrast with half that number
last year
There is ample evidence that many
people have not been able to satisfy their
appetite for the theater with the talkes.
In Los Angeles. the radiant center of film
entertainment. there has been an amaz-
ing expansion in the legitimate theater.
Small towns invaded by Strange Inter
lude' have left the talkie houses empty
while the populace stood in line to see