THEATRICAL FAILURES

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1931, Page 8

THEATRICAL FAILURES

FALL OF THE MIGHTY IN U.S. GREAT DAYS RECALLED. The sensational failure of the Shubert Theatrical Corporation in the United States only endorses the opinion that the decline of the theatre actually commenced with the disappearance at the beginning of the century of tlm old system of actor managements and fine stock companies in favour 01 syndicalised control. The last years of the century saw this movement in full swing in America, when Charles Frohinann, A 1 Hayman, and Klaw and Erlanger almost established a monopoly of the theatrical business of the states. If artists refused their terms they found themselves barred from appearing in the first-class theatres all over the country. those with temerity enough to take a stand against the syndicates were Bernhardt, Mrs Fiske, and David Belasco. This saw the great French actress seeking refuge in u huge tent, and Mrs Fiske, then an eminent star, had to appear in convention halls and skating rinks. At this tim© a new syndicate appeared in the persons of Lee, Sam, and Jacob Stubert. people of humble origin, who bad been running shows in their own native town of Syracuse. Sam began as a programme boy, became * ticket seller, and later ran a stock company at the Bastable Theatre, and gained control of a small chain of theft-

tres in New York State. In 1900 they invaded New York City itself ? when Sam took his brothers into partnership. Not many years elapsed before they had established themselves throughout the United States, and they have been a power in th e business ever since. The Shubert Theatres are among the finest in the States. Mr All. H. Woods, who has also gone down in the great theatrical slump in the United States had an y original equally as humble as the Shubert boys. He was interested in the show business from his youth, and early manhood found him running what were known as “ten twent’, thirt’ ” shows that is the prices of of admission were *en (sd), twenty (lOd)

and thirty (Is 3uj cehts. being melodramas of the “Nellie, the Beautiful Cloak Model” type, which, while not being a serious contribution to the ' it of the theatre, satisfied the appetite for the drama among the lower classe- of East-side New York. Tn 1913 Mr Woods branched out as a Broadway manager, and had the luck to score a very big initial success with Bayard Yeillie’s play, “Within the Law,” in which Jane Cowl was featured. He also succeeded to big moimy with “Potash and Perjmutter” (with Alex. Carr and Barney Bernard), and

later with “Friendly Enemies.” Later, he devoted his attention to comedies and made big money. 1