Life — May 7, 1903 — page 20: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

420 T was a remarkable idea to put two such thorough Ameri- cans as Mr. Charles E. Evans and Mr. Charles H. Hopper into the } leading parts of such a / thoroughly English farce as “There and Back.” It was, per- haps, not any more remarkable than to put such a thoroughly English farce as ‘There and Back to a Broadway Theatre in this century and at this period of American development. ‘* There and Back" may be very well for London, because the English are a conservative people, and the joke of yesterday, or last week, or last year is quite as valuable there to-day as the newest coinage of the humorist’s mint. The octogenarian Englishman delights quite as much in his Christmas pantomime first saw it at the age of three or four, The tricks haven’tchanzed, and no more has he. So with the farce. It may not be ‘ Box and Cox” in title, but it contains the same old complications with changed names and places, and he finds it always laughable, largely because his mind works backward, and jnds reminiscence an easier mental process than comprehend- The American's mind rans ahead a little more into the future, and to be really amused he wents his fun new, of, if it is old, given a new twist which will tickle him in a new place. Mr. Arliss, the author of “There and Back,” may be forgiven for not having assimilated this racial distinction, although by his pe: formances with Mrs, Campbell and in ‘The Darling of the has shown himself a very superior actor indeed. this year as he did when } novelties, and Mr. Hopper do their best to put some American life into Mr. Arliss’s British confection, but without any large amount of suc- . . ° A. experiment which sill be witnessed with much interest is +A the open-air performance of “As You Like It," which will soon be given on the grounds of Barnard College for the benefit of alocal charity. Tt will be under th ion of Mr. Lien Greet, and the interest will centre largely in the methods of this artist-manager, who has had extended experience in productions of this sort in England. Mr. Greet is the producer of “ Everyman,” which has delighted so many intelligent audiences during the season just clos- ing, and the cast will be made up principally from the “ Every- man” company. Miss Matheson, who had the title réle in the morality play, will have the part of Rosalind, It should be a joy to hear her delivery of the lines. ° ° . nal Theatre — that ed in Philadelphia and the other under the charge Q of the American Dramatists’ Ciub— may neither of them achieve success, but if they only call public attention ade- quately to the crying necessity for such an institution, from the view-point of dramatic art, and its vast possibilities as a national educator, they will have served a useful purpose. But there is also a danger to the project in these move- ments. ‘The institution must start on an absolutely firm financial is, and the amount absolutely necessary is so discouragingly HE rival efforts to propagate a Nat Ld PE From English Farce to National Drama. huge that the temptation is to attempt things prematurely and bring on the enterprise the same disaster and consequent ridicule as that which marked the small and inadequately financed experi- ments hitherto attempted. The National Theatre must be so generously endowed that it can live through failure after failure, until it has surrounded itself with an artistic atmosphere in which it can breathe and grow strong. It is bound to make mistakes, and they would be fatal if its existence rested upon any but the strongest financial support It is fashionable with some writers to pooh-pooh the idea of ational Theatre and eall it an impracticability, but with a people so fond of the theatre and so well able to afford dramatic art in its best form, as ours is, the institution is bound to come. It is to be hoped that its successful establishment will not be endangered by the well- pt efforts of those whose artistic ambitions and desires exceed their knowledge of the practical difficulties in the way. Metcalfe, LIFE’S CONFIDENTIAL GUIDE TO THE THEATRES. Academy of Music.—Last week of “The Saburban,” Racing melo- drama with one good scene. Bervco.—"The Darilng of the Gods." life, admirably staged. Bijou.—Marie Cahill in *) place. Broadicay.—" The Prince of Pilsen.” Mustcal comedy, Well mounted. Musical score better than the average Casino,— Notice later, Criterion.—Charlea Hawtrey in “A Message from Mara.” comedy with a moral, Garden.—* Exeryiman.”” Interesting old morality play very well done. Garrick. —" Skipper & Co., Wall Street.” e later, Herald Square. Pretty Peggy.” ¢ orge In complicated bat amosing play, Mr. Biaebeard.” Knickerbocker. and scant costumes. Madison Square.—" A Fool and His Money.” Laughable farce Mojestic. — The Wizard of 02." Gorgeonsly staged, fanny and musical, Manhatian,—" The Earl of Pawtucket.” One of the best soctety come- dies seen here fora long time Saroy.—Ezra Kendall in “The Vinegar Buser."* Notice later. Victoria —David Warfleld in The Auctioneer,” A clever plece of character acting. Wallark’s.—"The Sultan of Sola. diverting. Impressive play of Japanese ancy Brown.” Masical comedy, Common. Cartous Musical comedy. Mostly scenery Musical comedy, Clean and “LITTLE BOY, DORS YOUR MOTHER KNOW YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY PLAYING chars?” “WELL, 1 GUESS YES. IT's DE WAY I SUPPORTS DE Panty.” comicbooks.com