The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-04
The Dramatic Season-Curfuin.

lOr ille
The Dramatic season-Curfuin.
The regular winter dramatic season closed
last night ut the leading metropolitan theatres.
Not that either managers or actors propose for
themselves rest yet awhile, but it has become
a sort OF acknowledged rule here to run di-
viding line across the season in the beginning
Of June, and call what remains during the dog
days the summer season. The season Just past
extends over a period of forty weeks, and
affords abundant materials for reflection. Mr.
Charles Mathews, in brilliant and pertinent
little address. delivered by him at the Fifth
Avenue theatre on Friday night, on the occa-
sion Of his wife's benefit paid very high
compliment to the taste Of the metropolitan
public, and gave encouragement TO those who
make art their model on the stage. For two
months he has drawn the best people in New
York to witness the same characterizations by
which he charmed their fathers and mothers
thirty years ago, and in spite OF all that has
been urged by dramatic Jeremiahs on the de-
cline of public taste, the absolute reign Of
morbid sensations and the usurpation Of the
stage carpenter to the exclusion of the drama
list, the simple little comedies Of Mr.. Mathews,
by their genial and unaffected nature. are
as attractive and as popular as ever. This is the
best answer that can be given 20 the charges
repeatedly made by the above mentioned
Jeremahs against the taste aud
liberality of the metropolitan public.
The managers alone are 10 blame for the de-
luge of sensational plays that seem to have
swamped everything connected with brains ON
the stage. When they deliberately step out OF
the sphere of art, and appeal only to the lowest
instincts of human nature by leg spectacles,
pasteboard railway trains, steam hammers, pile
drivers and exploding steamboats,, they can
not hold themselves gniltess if brains are con-
sidered only necessary behind the footlights as
target for a pistol bullet or an inquiring slung-
shot. Then these managers whine because
when they attempt week or two of the legiti-
mate the public won't patronize them. No
wonder since the latter have lost all conf
dence in them. The reputation of theatre
is as sensitive as that of woman, and the
manager who tri1es with it need not expect
that the public viii place any credit in his
professions of repentance when he turns back
to the right path. Hence the secret OF the
non-saccess of the legitimate when revived in
houses which were for years surrounded by
an atmosphere Of absolute indecency or NOR
bid sensation. Days, Wallack's and Booths
have no faint of this kind around them, and
hence u real artist will always receive warm
welcome from the public at these theatres
The past season has also taught managers that
it is dangerous habit to rush headong into
the same path with others without considering
whether there is room enough for all there
The field of the drama is a wide one. aud
every one can choose his own path without
clbowing his neighbors. When spectacle first
came into vogue in this city half dozen
managers. emboldened by the success OF the
leg drama made 1t the object of their enter
prise and embarked their fortunes i'll Il.
They found out their mistake in short
time. az the public became satiated
with the overdose Of tinsel red fire
and padded limbs The same happened with
o,,6ra boufo. burlesque and pantomime. Each
manager should adopt some special line Of his
own. and devote all his resources to that end,
instead of watching what his neighbors are
doing Lessons may he gathered, certainly,
from the experience of others, but mnding
only ones business is golden rule in manage
ment.
During the first week ot the summer season
many interesting features will be presented.
After couple of benefit nights, the hrst
being for the belle OF the Fifth Avcnae.
Miss Fanny Davenport, Mr. DAILY Will present
dramatzation OF one Of Will1ie Collins strong
characteristic works, mo Name The com
meucemeni Of the season al Wallacks will not
interfere with the run Of the ever-popular
..Rosedale. which has been revived with
more than its pristine vigor and brliancy.
new play, ..The Man o Arlie, will present
Mr. Barrett In another Of his artistic impcr-
sonations AT Booths. and Miss Lucille Western,
one OF the most original and impressive
actresses in her line on the American stage.
will enven the Olympic this week. Niblo's
and the Grand Opera House make no change
in their bills for the present, and Woods
Museum Is given over to pantomime These
features will likely be of short duration, for
| enjoyment at least % the midsummer sun In