Oscar Asche In U.S.A.

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 862, 4 January 1930, Page 20

Oscar Asche In U.S.A.

MANAGERS NOT UPSET “TRASHY STUFF” IN NEW YORK America is unshaken even by the weight of actor-manager Oscar Asche falling from a great height, like an avenging angel of the Camera class, on the low theatrical managers of the United States, writes Mr. E. J. Tait, from New York, to an Australian paper. Some time ago the Australian producer of "Chu Chin Chow” and “Cairo” launched in London a vehement denunciation of American entrepreneurs, their methods and their ideas. No great notice was taken in America of Asehe’s tirade. “As for Oscar Asche’s criticism of plays, he certainly did excellent work in “Kismet,’ ‘Chu Chin Chow’ and

‘Cairo,’ but for those who saw ‘The Spanish Main’—which l personally think was the only play that Asche was responsible for—that was the most unfunny play, and very vulgar at that, which I have witnessed. “As for expense in production. Aiiche is one of the worst

offenders. With regard to plays, they certainly produce some trashy stuff here, and sometimes get away with it. “They also produce some good plays. They have 120,000,000 people to cater for, and if anyone takes their local plays abroad he has only himself to blame. Australian audiences would not look at 75 per cent, of the successes of London and New York. “As there are only 15 to 20 per cent, successes here, it is only possible to reproduce about 5 per cent, of the whole in Australia."