Panel Discusses Decline Of Theater in America

A panel of live distinguished commentators agreed last night that the American Theater in beset by problems, but differed over how to cope with them.

Lillian Hellman, discussing the narrowing appeal of drama in this country, observed: "The educated, or semi-educated Americans have lost their interest in the theater, and I can't blame them It's less interesting."

Two critics, Elliot Norton of the Boston Record, and Walter Kerr of the New York Herald Tribune, accepted Miss Hellman's evaluation of the theater's present stature, but thought they saw signs of improvement. Norton took heart from the State Department's sponsorship of a Theater Guild troupe presently touring Europe.

Both Miss Hellman and William Alfred, professor of English, challenged such optimism. Alfred, who advocated federal subsidies, went on to warn against such aid when extended "with strings attached." Miss Hellman felt that the plays chosen for the current tour had been handpicked "for their 'safe' qualities." She likened this to Broadway's gearing all its productions toward critical acclaim.

Federal aid, according to Alfred and Miss Hellman, would lead to a general reduction of ticket prices, a rebirth of community theater, and a saner attitude toward financial success. Kerr, however, cited an experiment in which a New York producer raised the price of back-row seats and immediately found them in demand. "We can always sell the orchestra," he shrugged, "it's more than a question of price."

Commercialism is Threat

Professor Alfred joined Mrs. Mark DeWolfe Howe in replying that commercialism was the gravest threat. Concluding his plea for federal subsidy, Alfred predicted that theatrical standards would continue to decline, "until the theater is reopened to its audience."

The price the United States need pay to restore its theatrical tradition, he pointed out, would be "far less than what they spend on ten missiles."