PROFITS FROM PLAYS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 132, 14 January 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

PROFITS FROM PLAYS.

The late Mr. George Edwardes was not only the most successful of modern theatrical managers but lie was also the most speculative. He thought nothing of inventing £IO,OOO to £'2O.OOU in the presentation of a big musical comedv.

When he sent the "Duchess of Dnntzig" to America he lost £IO,OOO, and another C 20.000 on ''Veronique." On the other hand he scored stupendous successes, notably with "The Merrv Widow." At Daly's alone JC:741 3 (K.H> was paid for seats, and over 000,000 copies of the music of the "Merry Widow Waltz" were sold in England. * As an illustration of the pranks fortune plays sometimes in connection with the production of musical comedies, it might be mentioned that Mr. Edwards sold " Dorothy," one of the first plays he ever produced at the Gaiety, for £I,OOO. because it was such a failure there. Mr. fl. .1. Leslie, who bought it, took it to the Prince of Wales's Theatre, and made £IOO,OOO otu of it.

One would probably be safe in saying that the tour men who have made most money in writing for the English stage' are Sir W. S. Gilbert, Sir A. W. Pinero, Sir .1. M. Panic, unci Mr. Henry Arthur .Jones. SuM : Van's operas provided Gilbert with an income of £12,000 a year. "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray" alone brought Pinero something like C 60.000. in addition. "Sweet Lavender" poured €10.00(1 into his pockets, and although the late Mr. Edward Terry paid tlrs sum in fees In the author he cleared £60.000 out of the play, and probably half as much again from provincial tours.

"The Little Minister" earned Sir J. M. Ma trie £IOO a week for a number ot years, and long before the curtain fell on the last performance at the Havinarket the net nrolits had reached Lino.OHO. Then" there were such plays as "Qimlitv Street," "Peter Pan." and "The Admirable ( iVhton." nil stage gold mines.