THE DRAMA IN AMERICA.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11479, 12 January 1903, Page 6

THE DRAMA IN AMERICA.

A TALK WITH MR CUYLER HASTINGS.

Mr Cuyler Hastings, who has created the part of Sherlock Holmes, so far as Australasia is concerned, having recently arrived from America, a member of the Staff of " The Press " had a brief chat with him on- ths subject of what American audiences favour most. Mr Hastings has been for some years on the American stage, and lias had considerable experience. Asked what class of play is now most popular in America, Mr Hastings replied, "Well, I should say decidedly,, drawingroom comedies. For some years the costume play has beld the boards of our theatres, but it has been worked to death, and is now decidedly on the wane. We do not po in no much in America for variety performances asf is the case in England. In summer, and summer only, we have roof garden entertainments, light opera-s and musical comedies, which draw large audiences." With regard to the play which Mr Williamson has sent to New Zealand, and in which Mr Hastings fills the principal part, he s>;iid : —'•The piece was written by Gillette in Ban Francisco, and the M.S.S. sent by.special messenger to Mr Frohmann in _vpw York, the author not caring to trust the mails. Mr Gillette is a well-known American dramatist. He first adapted ' 'Ihe Private Secretary ' from the German and also wrote a piece which has been seen in Australia, 'Held by the Enemy." The play is not essentially a dramatisation of tho book, but a strongly dramatic production written round tho story, with the character of the great detecti-e as the central figuie. I fast played the part in September, 1900, Mr Gillette touring with one company and I with another. ' A smile rippled over Mr Hastings's face a3 he spoke of his varied theatrical experiences during thirteen years on the American Ktage. "I have played everything," said lie, "from a negro to a Chinairmn. I a.so graduated in law in Toronto, Canada, in 1830. After a season during which I played leading man to Miss Grace George, I entered into engagement with Mr J. 'C. Williamson to play Sherlock Holmes through Australasia. After play irq it for four weeks we closed with larger business than we opened to. In London, too, where it was produced in November, 1901, it v.\-s v nycd to mora money at tha Lyceum than any other play in London for the season. It is now running in Xtw York."

In reply to a question as. to* what Mr Hastings thought of Australasian audieiicos ;>s corr.pa.ed with American, heeaid: "I th'nk that the Australasia*., audiences are exceedingly critical and difficult to please. But, if you give them something grod. and they are pleased, they show their appreciation of it in a ve_y iiearty maor,fr."