THEATRES ON LINERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8985, 20 November 1907, Page 3

THEATRES ON LINERS.

NOVEL SUGGESTION FOR ATLANTIC VOYAGES. STARS AT SEa. Mr Charles Frohman, the fcropristor of a number" of theatrical companies in Now York, is endeavouring to establish theatres on ocean liners. He is negotiating with the Cunard Company for the addition of a theatre to the Lusitania and Mauretania, and if the innovation proves a success other great liners will be similarly equipped. The introduction of ocean theatres would, according to Mr Frohman, result in the more frequent exchange of dramatic companies bstween the London and New York theatres.

"Who that has crossed the ocean," said Mr Frohman, "has not felt that an opportunity to enjoy a fine theatrical performance on board -would be hailed joyfully by almost everybody on the passenger list? What manager or actor does not feel what monetary loss is entailed by the sacrifice of time on the voyage to or from New York? "When I interrupted Miss Marie Tempest's successful run in 'The Marriage of Kitty,' to send her and the company to New York for a brief it not only cost me a transportation bill, but I sacrificed the profits of three weeks' performances. It cost me £3,500, but I wai satisfied that the flying tour of Miss Tempest paved the way for other quick trips, such as that of the 'Strongheart' company to London last season, and demonstrated that nothing but expense, stands in the way of making London and New York interchange attractions more frequently. "I think the expense part of the difficulty has been solved. The arrival of the Lusitania recently with 2,000 passengers aboard gave me an idea. Why cannot I send an American company to London every fortnight, playing them right across the Atlantic, with a loss perhaps of '-uly a few performances on the way? "I am now negotiating with the unard Company to add to the other ipartmental equipment of the jsitania and Mauretania stage ;cilities for giving complete draatic performances. 1 will have tays and players ready. "Months like January, February, . nd March are not available for the jroject, but there are many other periods when the scheme would bo lolly practical, to the benefit of e management of the steamship mpany, and be a welcome innovam for the passengers. "It is-not improbable that I might ilise the opportunity to try the at performance of new plays in lich a comp'anylwas to appear in ■ndon or New jYork—a first-night mid-ocean.