Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-02-17
THE NUDE DRAmA.
A Blast Against "BIaek Crook
stage Dresses

8----hSe AhaaCA AEG0A
stage Dresses.
The days of the "nude drama"
are drawing to close in England.
The following circular has been ad-
dressed by the Lord Chamberlain
to the managers of all theaters I'M
der his jurisdiction - -
"The Lord Chamberlain presents
his compliments to the manager Of
the -- He has learned
with regret, from observations in
the press and from other sources,
that there is much reason to com
plain Of the improperly of costume
OF the ladies in the pantomimes,
burlesques, ETC., which are now be
ing performed in some of the me-
tropoltan theaters. He has noticed
for some time past that this evil has
been gradually on the increase, but
he has been most unwilling to in
terfere in q mattar which he -oO-z---
slders ought more properly to be
left to the discretion and good
taste Of the managers themselves.
Now, however, that the question
has been taken up by the press, and
public opinion is being expressed
upon it, he feels himself compelled
to call the serious attention of the
managers to the subject for he
cannot but remark the diseredit
that now justly falls on the stage,
and the objections which are being
raised against it by many who have
hitherto frequented the theaters,
but now profess themselves unwil-
ling to permit the ladies of their
families to sanction by their
presence such questionable exhibi-
lions.
"The Lord Chamberlain, with
every anxiety to promote the in
terests of the stage, trusts that he |
may confidently appeal to the
managers to assist in abating the |
evil complained of, which threatens
to become a public scandal.
''He has purpOsely addressed
these observations in the form of a
circular to the managers of all
theaters under his Jurisdiction,
without imputing blame to any in
particular, and will gladly receive |
from them any observations or sug- |
gestions which they may wish to |
offer on the subject. |
Lord Chamberlain's Office, |
January %, 1869"
can Actress" offers some COM
ments upon this order, through the
columns of the London Telegraph:
The circular Of the Lord Cham
berlain to the managers of theaters
hardly hits the right nail on the
head when it imputes the blame to
managers of theaters, for the want
of discretion and good taste in the
improperly of the costumes of the
ladies in the pantomimes and bur
lesques. A theater is now conduct
ed purely as commercial specula-
ton, and the manager merely pro-
vides that fare for his patrons, the
public, which brings most grist to |
mill. 1t is the public who are to
blame for encouraging the want Of
taste and-dress. For actresses |
themselves | can only with diff
dence speak, though l can certainly |
assert that the repugnance to as
sumo the costumes referred to is
general in the profession; but ac-
tres5es have to work for their liv-
ing, and in most cases what pays /
best is the guiding rule. Necessa-
rily what pays the manager best |
pays his employees best. Actresses, |
be it remembered, do not provide
their own costumes. These are
designed for them by some one at
the managers request (who is
guided by the public demand), and |
to refuse to wear them would be
tantamOunt to giving notice and
losing the chance of employment.
In my own case, for instance, on
taking my present engagement
made a provisO not to appear in
boys parts, nor to play in tights
Consequently had to accept very |
low terms. Had | been willing to /
accept any part, and play in any |
costume, l could have commanded
double my present salary. The
manager, | am sure, did not for one
moment think | should act any /
better in tights; but he thought,
with what reason / cannot say
and l trust that it may ever remain
a mooted question-that | should
draw better the less l was clad.
Luckily, l could afford to resist the
temptation of increased pay; but to
very many Of the most honest,
Woodworking, and respectable &C
tresses of the day, the extra salary
is of the greatest importance; often
having not only themselves but
others dependent on them, they are
compelled to pocket their pride
and the extra emolument. The
public who crowd the theaters and
applaud the costumes complained
of are the people to blame, and it is
to them the Lord Chamberlain
should have issued his warming"
This subject is likely to be vigor
ously discussed in England. 1t
might be considered with advan-
tage in this country.
DIR. MUDD'S PARDON.
The pardon of Dr. Mudd, one of the
cOnspirators for the assassination of
President Lincoln, sentenced by the