A Hit That Went Begging

1901

The death of Sir Arthur Sullivan recently recalls an offer that composer once made an American manager that was refused, which, had it been other wise, would have made him an independent fortune.

The manager was George Holland, who at the time was directing the Grand Avenue theater, in Philadelphia. When "Pinafore" was running in London, Mr. Holland happened to be there and one night met Gilbert and Sullivan at the Garrick club. They asked him what he thought the opera would do in America, and Mr. Holland promptly replied that he feared its refined satire would not be appreciated in this country and after some further talk flatly refused at offer of $500 for the exclusive American rights.

Subsequently "Pinafore" was brought to America by another manager and presented at Kiralfy's theater, now the Broad Street theater, Philadelphia, and, as Holland had predicted, played originally to empty benches. Soon after this, however, the tide turned in its favor, and those who read do not have to be reminded of its subsequent record.

Holland himself, who is authority for the statement, says that had he accepted he could have amassed an almost colossal fortune out of the one piece. Just another case of missing the tide. — Cincinnati Enquirer.