New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-09-24
A WORD ON THE 7HEATER AND ITS
AUDIENCES.

We were very agreeably surprised TO find ourselves,
on Thursday evening" at the Metropolitan Theater in
the midst of by far the mott brilliant, though not the
most crowded, audience which has yet greeted Mile
Rachel The changes in feminine dress certainly
were striking, and we are disposed to think that
they were partly owing to an appeal to the good
taste of our ladies on that head which lately ap-
peared in our columns. We noticed but rare
intrusion Of bonnets, and even those were bright,
fancifal creations Of lace and howers having all
the effect and becomngness of evening headdresses;
street wrappnes superseded, for the most
part. by operao loaks of soft, delicate-cOlored
terals possessing all the comfortable warmth OF the
former with none Of their clumsiness and imparing to
the scene gay variety in keeping with the character
Of Tbeater and its stage Illusions. This was the
more gratifying on the occasion referred to- as 1t
seemed almost necessary for the audience in some sort
70 compensate for the meager miserable arrangements
w which the sumptuousness Of Sultaras audience
chamber was represented 10y two very uncomfortable
chairs and three pasteboard cushions-suggestng all
the poverty Of fourth rate clearinghouse parlor-n
The midst of which stood Rachel in Oriental magnli-
cence like a rich diamond on thread bare robe
Apart from the contribution TO the general pleasure
al an entertainment of this sort yindvdua attention
10 the noetes Of dress, it is welkno"n iactone OF
which payers often speak-that the spectacle OF an
audience has wonderful effect upon The peTsonaaons
that a comparativey small number presenting
brilliant appearance as well as lively appreciation
of and ympathy with the representation before them,
affords the company ten times the stimulating encour-
.gement Of house crowded with persons who. in a
mere busness way to regard them only as artists
to whom they have paid money for services-not
peasure-tO be rendered.
As IN instance of the effect Of an audience even con
adhered individually we remember an anecdote o.
celebrated actor, who, in one of his best and most
familiar roles SO completely lost ms presence of mind,
from seeing gentleman before him following the tex
literally, that he unable TO proceed TIL the man
sger had sent to beg the unconscious prosecutor TO
desist On another occasion an American trsgedan
said: One Of my best representations OF Hamlet was
given on a stormy night before mere handful OF
spectators had dragged YEARLY through the nrst
scene but entering upon the second, perceived
the familiar fsces Of lady and gentleman, the one
celebrated for her beauty and both of superior in'e
igence There, at last, was something to play to-
and secure Of their appreciation and sympathy my
every faculty was stimulated and achieved tTi-
" umph which is memorable
The French are the most sympathetic audiences IN
Tie world at the time the most severely crtcsii
is This severity however which has made their the
sers even in obscure towns, uuequaed for their rigid
Observance OF historical fidelity in stage costumes and
spuointments When we remember this, how can we
-proverbony, not Shstanding, the nost indulgeut OF
all theate going peop.otoerGte this meanness III the
rage surroundings Of an artist like Rachel mean
ness with which no manager would dare approach
French public, and which il offered here merely be-
caused an American house is not supposed capable Of
appreciatny minute nicstes vt adherence 10 the uI-
ter Of time and place. Really, OIL second thought
ue can scarcely blame them FOR that Mistake, slnco
OF the leading journals OF the City SPEAKS con
;enptuously Of Bsazet as "an amiaOle young MAJ
IL white capote and another calls 10 question: MS
white muslin turban ana bcardlcss f>ce-.saoran' o.
the fact that, among MAhOmmedsss thee are no
symbols Of captivity and souow.
In The tragedy Of Bsjsze, all that 70 not Tux "A
e1celt he ccric Illusions, j. he faah ol R.sire 10
Of he PA, ere showing that p0yerty VI erD.9fe
RpG,simouy in the management, AMI a an sgs'Dsi
kDOw.edae.
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resoit shyuid be chsracc.z'd BY n0fs n - Al.
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