Life — March 30, 1905 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

in an educational way are very narrow, and the influence they exert is a neghgible quantity. The endowed theatre which shall preserve traditions, set standards, and foster whatever creative spirit this coun- try possesses seems the only hope for the art and literature of the drama in America, Another foreigner has aptly said that America, ] great as it is in material things, can never be a truly great nation until it has also become great in art and letters. To get the theatre out of its present slavery to ignorant greed scems the most imme- ate and important step towards that end, Sir Charles's kindly criticism has the weight of authority, It will serve a good purpose if it breeds thought and starts inquiry. * . « T takes New York a long time to find out some worthy things within its own borders. for Mr. Ki nt at the Berkeley Lyceum, and its members are gradually finding out that Mr, Keenan is working in the right direc- ti g to interest in the varied bill Mr. There's a paying constituenc an's experi Every one finds somet Keenan provides, and none of the pieces is long enough to grow tiresome. The undertaking deserves the support of intelligent theatre-goers. in Wisconsin the Theatrical Trust is on the defensive. ‘The newspapers of Milwauk te have started a warfare against the Trust and its methods which bids fair to cost the box of their dearly loved shekels. The 6 e and othercities of the S ¢ cormorants a good 1 started by the wer of the local Trust theatre pays the New York rust the sincere flattery of imitation, He excluded from his theatre the critic of a Milwaukee news- paper whose criticisms did not suit his fancy. This as- sault on the freedom of the press was met by the prompt stroduction into the Wisconsin Legislature of a bill making it a criminal offence for the manager of a theatre to deny admission to The bill is In addition to this the Wis- m. m. magnates of the any dramatic critic who was willing to pay his way. practically certain to become a law. con newspapers have stood together in backing up their excluded colleague and in an exposure of the methods of the Trust which is likely to cost that organization dear with the people of the State, In reply to this and to curry favor with the heads of the Trust who can © or break mal im, the Milwaukee manager devoted two pages of amme each pro ening to reprinting the personal abuse of Lire’s critic which the Trust has scattered broadcast throughout This material, although probably more interesting than the usual mass of advertisements which burden theatrical programmes, was distasteful to the theatre's patrons and he was forced to discon- the country. tinue its use. It looks as though the usefulness of this particular manager was at an end in Milwaukee and as though the peop! of Wisconsin were receiving some valuable information concerning the Theatrical Trust. HE burlesque of “Leah Kleschna” at the Colonial is a good T basis on which to build, It adheres too closely to but with modifi Charles Ross, is bound torsupply as the at vaudeville numbers at this pretty and comfortable play-house, In the burlesque Mabel Fenton's imitation of Mrs, Fiske will be found remarkable by those who have seen the original ations and the added fun which its author, Mr. joce gets older, it will be an agreeable supplement to the excelle HERE is no tru planned by t endow a Home for Indige hin the statement that a monster benefit is being w York Theatrical Managers’ Association to and Excluded Critics, Messrs. Klaw and Erlanger are going to supply the needed funds. Metcalfe. “LDP E= Academy of Music. “The Darling of the Gods," with Blan asthe star, Picturesque tragedy of Japan with the Japanese atm reproduced with remarkable accuracy. Belasco.—“"Adrea." Poetical tragedy by Belasco a: Carter in the title re. Elaborately staged. Berkeley Lyceum.—Frank Keeaan and company in interesting little p An attistic and praiseworthy effort to get away from the n jow.—Mr, David Warfield in * The Mu An entert, serio-comedy admirably acted by David Warfield and com Colonial.—Metter class burlesque sic Master.” tent company nd vaudeville, he Lady Shore."* Conventional comic oper: nple's Telegral —Virgin handso ated, ly Diverting little farce, Madison rden.—The only and onliest Barnum cus. Megatherian in its mighty majesty and colossal in its c J Bailey chensive combination of co-ex z curiosities anhat lently staged and acted, with Mrs. —" Leah Kleschna."” Mr, McClellan's powerful play, excel- ke in the title part OWING TO THE PACT THAT THE FOLLOWIN ARE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE TH WHICH IS ATTEMPTING TO SUPPRE ) DESCRIBE THE PERFORMANCES THEY OFFER G THEATRES ATRICAL TRUST, CRITICISM, LIFE IS s UNABL New Amsterdam. — Knickerbocker. Criterion, Garden. Savoy. Garrick, Empire. Lyceum. Broadway. New York Mayestic Herald Square. Daly's. Watlack’s. IF MR. JOSEPH WEBER PLAYED @4NLET. comicbooks.com