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From Freeman's Journal and Daily Commercial Advertiser (Dublin, Ireland), Wednesday, January 25, 1882.
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R. D'Oyly Carte was one of the passengers by the steamship Servia which arrived yesterday afternoon. To a "Tribune" reporter, who called on him last evening, Mr. Carte said that he had a very fair voyage with the exception of four or five days in which the steamship encountered head winds and high seas. Mr. Carte came alone.
"What do you think of Mr. Wilde's success?" asked the reporter.
"Well," said Mr. Carte, "I know nothing about it, save what I've seen here in the papers. I thought he would make a stir. He's a clever young man and has lots to say to the people. Yes, I thought he'd be successful. He's an æsthete — but, come to think of it, I believe he doesn't like that word — he's an art critic; that's better, you know. I don't consider it anything out of the way bringing Wilde over here. 'Patience' is only a good-natured satire."
"Do you intend travelling with Mr. Wilde?"
"In view of his success I think I shall take him around the country. He's to have a reception in Philadelphia on Monday, and lectures there on Tuesday. He's going to Baltimore, Washington, and Chicago. He will probably be here two or three months. He wants to see the country."
"What about Mr. Wilde's new play?"
"Nothing has been done in regard to it. It has never been produced. It was rehearsed at the Adelphi Theatre in London, but was stopped — that is, by the managers; they came to the conclusion that they daren't put it before the public."
"It is said that you have it in mind to build a permanent theatre here; is that true?"
"That's simply rumour."
"When do you expect to produce 'Claude Duval'?"
"Oh, I'm in no hurry about that. 'Patience' holds on pretty well, and I shall not interrupt it."
"Are any new operas being written and composed for you?"
"Yes, Gilbert and Sullivan are at work on one now for me. I don't expect to produce it in London until next Fall. 'Patience' is having an immense run there. Sullivan is wintering in Cairo, Egypt. He's there for his health and to amuse himself, but is working on the new opera."
"What will be the title of the new opera?"
"That I can't tell you; we haven't got so far as that. It's an entirely new subject."
"Have you made any engagement with Mrs. Langtry?"
"Well, I have made a proposition to her, and that's as far as we've got. But if she comes to this country she will, no doubt, come under my management. She's been very successful. I saw her first appearance, and she was very graceful. Naturally, being a debutante, you would expect her to be embarrassed, but she was very graceful. I don't mean to say she's a great actress; but she will be.''
"Do you expect to stay here in New York some time?"
"No; I haven't had a holiday for five years. I'm going to take one now. I didn't come here for business."
"'Patience' has been a great success, has it not?"
"Yes; we are playing in London to 9,000 dollar houses every week, and it's being [sic] running since September 22. I've got fifteen companies playing now in Europe, America, and Australia — including, of course, Oscar Wilde and Archibald Forbes."
"Why don't you have Oscar Wilde give readings of his poems?"
"Well, I don't know why it shouldn't be a very good scheme, you know. I shall probably suggest is to him. I haven't seen him yet." — New York paper of Jan. 12th.
Page modified 2 November 2011