In 1904 Charles produced Peter Pan which became his biggest Theatre success. Some Stars were not too happy with Charles’ preference for lightweight material over more serious dramas. There was always criticism of his approach to producing plays because it was claimed that he put too much emphasis on the actors and not enough on the quality of the play. When she rejected Charles’ criticisms of her acting, saying that she was an artiste, Charles answered, “Madam, your secret is safe with me.” Patrick Campbell disagreed with him so much that they could not work together. In twenty-five years, only one actress, Mrs. In fact he treated them like his children. His life was spent reading scripts, arranging sets and costumes, directing and generally looking after the welfare of his actors. His enthusiasm for all things theatrical was considered by some to be “almost hypnotic”. Although Pauline was American, she was Charles’ biggest Star in England and certainly his closest female friend. In England, his two main Stars were Marie Tempest and Pauline Chase. A Star, in Charles’ terms, was to have their interests looked after and to provide them with continual employment.Īmong Charles’ principal American Stars were Maude Adams, William Gillette, Edna May, John Drew, Ethel Barrymore and Billie Burke. This lead to his “Star System,” later adopted by film companies. His London office was in the Duke Of York Theatre, which he leased for 18 years until his death.Ĭharles often chose which actors he would use first, then he selected a play that would showcase their abilities. Charles worked in London with a number of actor and theatre managers his first production was in 1892. His offices were in the Empire Theatre in New York, for more than 20 years. At the height of his power, Charles controlled five theatres in London, six in New York City, and over two hundred throughout the rest of the United States. Jerome and many more.īy 1915 Charles had produced more than 700 shows, in the USA, Britain, and France and employed an average of 700 actors a year, paying salaries totalling $25,000 a week. They included Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, J.M. By 1900 Charles was the leading producer of plays in New York and London with works by leading British writers of the time, many of whom are still performed today. The Trust systemized booking networks throughout the United States, but also monopolized every aspect of Theatre production until the start of World War I. In 1895, Charles, with Al Hayman, Mark Klaw, Abe Erlanger, Sam Nixon, and Fred Zimmerman formed the Theatrical Syndicate, otherwise known as the Trust. In 1893 he had the Empire Theatre built in New York but technically not on Broadway. Along with his brother Daniel, he became a leading theatrical impresario. Even though he only had fifty cents in his pocket, by the end of a great deal of wheeling and dealing he secured the rights to the play and arranged to have it put on at the Star Theatre in New York.Ĭharles took over Proctor’s 23rd Street Theatre and continued the successful run of Shenandoah. In 1889, Charles went to Boston and bought the rights to the play Shenandoah. This was Charles’ first visit to England a place he fell in love with.įrom 1883 he produced shows with other producers. His Brother Gustav was the Manager and Charles was soon appointed Treasurer. In 1878 Charles joined Haverly’s Calender Minstrels one of the largest Minstrel Companies in the USA. The next year he joined his brother Daniel in management. He then moved to the New York Tribune where he worked by day and sold theater tickets at night. The Graphic sent him to sell the paper in Philadephia in 1876 at the Centennial Exposition where he took charge of the newsboys. When Charles was 14, the Frohmans moved to New York City, and Charles took a job as night clerk for the New York Graphic. Charles had an older brother by four years, Daniel, and another brother Gustave. ContentsĬharles Frohman, 58, was born on 15 July 1856 in Sandusky, Ohio, United States. The following biography has been revised and improved with help from Peter Scott. Frohman’s body was recovered, #24, and was buried in Queens, New York. Rita Jolivet soon ran up from below decks to join them. Frohman was on deck with George Vernon and Captain Alick Scott when the German submarine U-20 torpedoed Lusitania on. He was traveling with his valet, William Stainton, and playwright Justus Miles Forman. Frohman was traveling aboard Lusitania to see the European playmarkets. Among the most notable plays that he produced was James Barrie’s Peter Pan. Union Field Cemetery, Ridgewood, Queens, New YorkĬharles Frohman, 58, was an American theater manager credited for creating the Broadway star system.
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