FAILURES AND SUCCESSES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 424, 15 November 1930, Page 15 (Supplement)

FAILURES AND SUCCESSES

LEGITIMATE SHOWS IN U.S.A. Estimating a percentage of 87 per cent, failures of the 175 dramatic shows between August 1. 1929, and July 31, 1930, in America, the annual review of the theatrical year, compiled by “The Billboard,” has just been issued. This is 2 per rout, higher than the percentage of failures for the preceding season. In the field of musical productions, the publication estimates 69 per cent, were failures out of 69 productions. This shows a rise of 10 per cent, in this field that proved unprofitable. Of all these, 35 dramatic plays closed within eight days of their premiere, and only 22 shows could be classified as hits. This estimate is based on a standard of JOO performances to achieve success. In the musical department, “BTiboard” lists 12 productions as successful.

Other interesting statistics are contained in the report. Players employed in the production of last season totalled 5719, of whom 2865 were in dramas and straight plays.

William Shakespeare heads the prolific playwrights, 10 of the immortal bard’s works having been presented here during the season. Ibsen, Serafin, and the Quinteros are next, with four each, thereby putting the American dramatists in their places.

The “most peripatetic production” was “House Party,” which occupied no fewer than five theatres during its ongagament here.

And the “house least worried about its tenant” was the Henry Miller, where “Journey’s End” ran for more than a year.