THE AMERICAN ACTOR

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1929, Page 3

THE AMERICAN ACTOR

OSCAR; ASCHE’S CONDEMNATION (United Press Association.—By Electpiij Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, Oct. ‘l4. Oscar Asche is on the warpath against American theatrical producers in England. “L’waiit to show they ape nothing hut, bowery toughs” he told a star. “They have not brought a single beautiful production here and never staged anything in England comparable to Chu Chin Chow of Kismet. They bring vulgarities, indecencies apd noise to the stage. Their manners apd dreadful language off the stage are as bad as their characters on it. If they could see themselves eating they might get material for real comedy. They made their financial position secure by entering the war late and then sttib llised it by coming here and insulting English actors.”

Asche has written to the “Daily Mail” demanding joint action to prevent some American producers from, insulting the language in theatres. He told a star that his blood boiled when he heard and saw American producers. They had no idea of music except pep stuff of which everyone was utterly sick. They demanded large salaries which were paid. Goodness knows why tliey stopped at the best hotels. They smoked big cigars and talked with horrible raucous voices. It was all bluff to cover their incompetence.

All their work he had seen was childish rubbish. Many were stone deaf. They thought if they could make an American actor drop his slang his English was suitable for an English play.

Asked when he contemplated going to America, Asche exclaimed: “Never. I was there twenty-seven years ago but there has been no gentleman amorig their producers since Charles Frohmann.”