The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-05-20
THE MODERN DRAMA.
Olive Logan's Opinton of tho Theasxical
Profession.

Miss Olive Logan writes the following tar
letter to the New York Times, in answer te
some continents of chat journal upon one o.
her recent lectures:
To the Editor Of the Neu York Times.
La yenr issue OF to-day YOU are pleased to q c.
cuse nae OF "slanderIng' the dramatic protes.
Sion by Ger ain remarks which made at Stem
way Hall, on Wednesday evening. This IS a
strange cnarge TO bring against woman who
has suHtFed as mu.h as have for insisting
mat there are viruue aud honor among tnu
members Of that profession. On le notable
occasion L stood up before audience of three
thousand of the most purltanlcal neonIa IN h.
found IN New England, and tried to 1nterest
them IN the career OF virtuou. Young ac-
tress. l signlly failed, and l can ony eS-
pr. IS my profound regret that ever was 90
toolhardy as TO diaw upon myself the condomn.
atlou OF the ,ntellig mt people by advocatlny
the cause OF profession VIII Oh is now dis
graced by its recognition Of these indecent
women.
The cases you cit, Of the successful p]avers
who still retaln decency IN the dramatic bro
iesslon. are those OF JAnauschek Kistorl Mrs.
awaya nlaS1u ana 70 empty Benches at TIC xcade
my Jt cius:c. Elstnrl. a2 q natural result OF
skiful manipulating by AL astute manager,
drew a.nost as wol as q CIRCUS for few weeks.
but when the furore died out. SIZE played for
the pleasure of playing, apparently. for she
had to pay for the privilege. Mrs. Lander, q
true artlst and lady, is, 1t is we'll known, as
Improbable star" as the country affords.
even when backed by two or three strong sub
sldiary players, whom she takes with her.
Miss Bateman's success was before the advent
of the yelow-hared nudities.
Bes des, even If it We're quite different, the
persons you name are player who have tOiled
Tor many years in this professor, and who
have acquired worldwide celebrity. I referred
the other night to descent young women who
are not celebrlties-merely honest, modest
girls whose parents have left them the not
very desirab g heritage OF the stage. anG whO
find it difficult to obtain any other employment,
beng uneducated for any other. When these
girls go INTO q theatre t. apply for q situation
now, they find that the requirements Of mana
gers are expressed in the following questions:
I. .'ls your hair dyed yellow !"
y ARE YOUR legs, arms and bosom symme-
trically formed, and are you willing to expose
the np'
y. "Can you sing blassy songs, and dance the
can-can, and wink 1T meD, aud give utrerance
TO disgusting haif words which mean whole
actions 2"
4. "Are you acquainted with any rich mon
cents, and keep afloat dubious rur1ors con-
cerning yolr chastity ?"
8. Are you willing to appear tonight, and
every night, amid the glare OF gaSllghtS aud
before the gaze Of thousands Of men, IN this
pair OF satin breeches. ten inches long, with
out vestige Of drapery on your person2"
IF you Gao answer these questions affirma-
lively, we will give you situation. II not
there's the door,"
For my self, / left the stage four years ago
to pursue literature. With writing and lectnr-
ing am able to earn q decent and dignlfed
livelihood I am very thankful can do 80
out my own private affairs are not my sole
concern, and 'swhat zee, say.''
i am sir, very truly, yours.
OLIVE LOGAN.