The New York herald., 1867-03-12


in the next days HERALD.
Dcmeralization Of the Theatres.
In another column will be found an excel
lent article from the Round Table weekly |
paper Of some pretension, on the low condi- |
tion-intellectual and moral-of our metro. |
politan theatres. Severe O. are its structures,
they will not be found to be exaggerated. For
the last few years the tendency of theatrical
performances In this city has been to appeal
to the passions, and not to the cultivated tastes
OF audiences. We have had in them ell the
worst features Of the modern French drama,
without it's artistical attractions. As the jour
nal to which we refer justly observes in allud-
ing to piece of this character which has held
the boards of one Of our Broadway theatres
for many months past, "They give US all its
nastiness, without any of its poetry"
When Ristori came here we had hopes that
the enjoyment of the legitimate drama, as
presented by that great tragedienne, would
arouse q spirit of emulation In the managers
Of our theatres and induce them to follow 80
profitable an example. We were satisfied, and
nothing has since occurred to make US change
that opinion, that the public would have sus-
tanned them in the effort. With the exception
of Messrs. Wallack and Stuart none Of them
made any attempt to turn to account the re-
vival Of correct dramatic taste, for which we
were indebted to the great Italian artist.
But these gentlemen, so far from compre-
hending the true nature of the reforms
needed, expended their time and money on
mere scenic improvements. These are all very
well in their way but they do not fulfil the
requirements Of the regular drama. OF how
small account they really are we had evidence
in the fact that the pieces in which Ristori
achieved her greatest triumphs here were, so
far as the mere accessories went as indiffer-
emily presented as they we'll could be. The
truth is that the managers of Wallack's and the
Winter Garden think that when they give q
creditable mise en- scene to their pieces their
work is done. The quality of the acting is OF
minor consideration, and therefore it is that at
both their establishments there are only to be
found second or third rate artists. Take the
best Of them-Mr. Booth-and measure him by
the standard Of Ristori, and into what small
proportions does be not dwindle Those who
rave about high art as revealed to US through
the performances Of such opponents - Mr..
Booth talk sheer nonsense. They give us it's
form, but not its soul forrwe look vainly for
those great moral and intellectual features
which should live and breathe in it.
OF course, after such representations ~ those
of the great Italian tragedisnne, 1t is not to be
expected that our public win turn with any
thing like satisfaction to such spiritless substi
tutes. All the skill OF the brush and paint-pot
will not compensate for the loss Of the glowing
creations Of her genius. What is wanted in
our dramatic representations is not 30 much
color in the accessories % in the action itself
As given in the so-called improved style Of our
theatres the drama may be likened to . skel-
eton in bridal habllimens, Heshless, soulless
and repulsive in its fnery.
This is not the Improvement calculated to
bring 1t up to the standard Of excellence OF
which we had . sample in the Italian historical
drama. In proportion to the intensity with
which our public enjoyed the intellectual treat
afforded them by the latter do they turn with
disgust from the sickly stimulation Of 1t pre-
sented elsewhere on our boards. Is It surpris-
ing, then. in the absence Of the exciting and
elevatng influence exercised by the genius Of
the great Italian actress, many should relapse
into the patronage Of theatre like Niblo's,
which offers them different kind OF excite
ment, or that the success Of the indecent exhi-
bitions which are presented there should
encourage the other theatres and places Of
amusement to vie with that establishment In
the effort to demoralise and ruin tho youth Of
our cityf ss s.. 7s
We are glad to nnd our contemporaries
awakening to Z sense Of their duty and joining
with US In the effort TO stem the torrent Of cor
ruption which is being let loose upon MS
through the medium Of the theatres. By full
filling with stern impartiality their duties q
critics, By Encouraging the loose and danger
ous adaptations Of the modern French drama,
so much in vogue with managers, and endeav-
oring to bring our stage up to the standard Of |
moral and intellectual excellence exhibited by |
the representations Of Ristori, they will be best
accomplishing that object.