CHORUS GIRL FAMINE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXII, Issue 66, 15 September 1906, Page 13

CHORUS GIRL FAMINE.

New York is suffering from a chorus girl famine, and the big theatrical firm of Shuberts, who produce musical plays, report that only two applicants answered a recent advertisement announcing that 200 were wanted (writes the New York correspondent of tho Chronicle). Managers arc simply at their wits' end to find young ladies to caper in light opera. Judging by actual results, the observation standard of requirements for tho New York chorus girl is particularly lofty, and even this is reduced to tide over the present emergency "No girl, fat, lean, medium, or plain" is turned away now, but still the famine continues, nnd it would be desperate if the big provincial towns refrained from coming to the assistance of New York. According to students of the situation, the Thaw case is largely responsible for the' famine. Tho revelations as to the dangers which aro alleged to beset chorus girlh in New York have scared away, it is said, some of the very beat material. Then, again, prosperity is pretty general throughout the country, and some girlß, admittedly, only joined the chorus as a lust resource. Moreover, say the experts, the public is beginning to get critical now and to waAt chorus girls who can sing. Some musical operas even require giiTu with, brains, and this fact also embitters the plight of tho entrepreneur. One explanation which is not furnished by the managers I can vouch for. During the summer months an enormous number of girls leave the cities for seaside towns and pleasure resorts, there to find remunerative occupation in summer hotels, chiefly its waitresses. In America even university students do not mind earning their fees by working as tram conductors during the summer holiday*?, nnd American chorus girls sco nothing degrading in waiting upon guests. Moreover the remuneration, together with gratuities, makes a better weekly average than could be corned' in the theatre by the ordinary chorus girl. There is no doubt that when the holidays nre over the girls will return to tho city, and the famine will, end.