The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-13

some OF which the producer had
1t was to overcome these condi-
tons that Mr.. Oberfelder decided
to close his entire circuit, reor-
ganize and then probably enlarge
1t to include several eastern cities.
If Indianapolis is to be included
In the reOrganized circuit, Mr..
Oberfelder must have a guarantee
of sufficient size to protect him
against loss.
Vincent Burke and others aSso-
ciated with English's where the
Oberfelder productions have been
shown for the last eleven weeks,
contend that a season subscription
could be sold at price lower
than patrons would pay for single
performances.
In this way" Mr.. Burke points
out, Mr.. Oberfelder would know
how to play a season of five to
ten weeks. Although sufficient
people did not come to make the
season profitable for either Eng
{ lish's or Mr.. Oberfelder, we feel
that he has broken the ice and
will be able to get support because
of the high merits of his produc-
tons"
am of the same opinion and
l feel that even if INDIANAPOLIS
is taken off the new circuit, this
city probably will have one or two
touring organizations in year.
TINE legitimate road companies
Il now on tour may be counted
on one hand. Last year there
were 200 stock companies in this
country. Now there are only
twenty-nine, or were until Mr..
Oberfelder closed his circuit.
That tells his own dismal story.
Walter Hampden, Katherine Cor
nell and Eva LIE Gallienne are
keeping repertory alive on the
road. Only those three are max
ing the grade.
Mr.. Hampden gets his largest
crowds when he plays Shake
speare. Miss Cornell packs them
in when she plays The Barrets
of Wimpole Street." and scanty
crowds see her Romeo and
Juliet and Candida"
Miss LIE Gallienne's biggest draw
is Alice in Wonderland" Hedda
Gabler' is next and Romeo and
Juliet gets very little.
If Mr.. Oberfelder does not re-
turn his companies to Indian
apolis, then We must rely upon
the indianapolis Civic theater.
Thank goodness we have the Civic.
1t means more than ever to this
city.
The 1rvington Playhouse is do
ing good work. IbSen is popular
in Irvington.
NOTED magazines all over the
~ country are devoting space
to what Mr.. Oberfelder has &C
complished.
The current issue of Variety de-
votes much space to Mr.. Ober-
fielder.
Variety says in part:
Thus far, Oberfelder presented
eleven shows this season in his
houses, all from Broadway. He
expected to expand his circuit to
about thirty weeks playing time,
but came a cropper two ways,
finding there were not enough
fresh successes to keep him 60
ing, plus the fact that some cities
couldn't take stock.
He'll weed out these spots and
add some others, being convinced
the plan basically is okay.
"Oberfelder got into hot water
in a deal to take over the Chicago
company of Sailor Beware In
stead of it going rotary stock,
show closed Saturday 90 and the
stage hands union is blamed.
Union rules are to the effect
that show shall have actually
closed and the crew shall have
placed the production in the store
house before its status as a road
show is changed.
Until such time the road crew
must be retained and the yellow
card system which requires the
same number Of men backstage
as originally employed shall be
in force.