The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-01-03
A 0srman Performance.

A correspondent Of the jewish
Messenger, writing from brcSlau,
says rmI e.lt
70 see u characteristic German
play II IL a good plan 10 90 TO the
ThalIa lheater, Externally ils ap'
pcarance IL not inviting II looks
Iiko an elongated barn. Within,
however, II Ia large and cosy i not
very lofty, but well arranged, with
q seating capacity for perhaps
twelve hundred, Prlees run from
ono thaler for the prosccnium logo
TO three groschcn for the gallery,
with xix intermediate positions, IL
Ia not very extravagaItly lighted
possibly on moonlight nights they
draw upon the moon and save II
few thalers Tho theater Is In the
time worn, horseshoe shape, aud The
drop-curlain Is devoid Of all orna'
menta and anachronisms No dim
inutivo angclssport IN plaster above
the proscenium boxes There Ia an
air of comfort and economy about
the place, Tho Germans are not
the people to spend their lhalors on
tinacl,
The people are entering, and the
thealcr il filing up, Tho audience,
however, arc separating into little
knots in their respective places tho
parquette aloue is crowded, while
tho gallery Ia filled to repletion,
The gallery gods are not boys, Us
in New York, but men and women
of the poorer classes, who rejoice
nj the prospect of seeing histrionic
talent for three groschen, or about
seven cents. There are no spruce
gentlemen ushers, but plainly dress
ed young women act IN that capac-
ity, Tho audience is not brilliant
one evening toilets are not worn
on n few hands kids appear. The
most of the people woar their every
day costume, and have come to on
Joy u hearty laugh. A couple OF
Prussian officers are seated in an
opposite loge, with waxed nous.
taches and white buckskin gloves.
A real German top is few feet
from us, the first specimen Of that
breed we have seen in Breslau. lie
wears n purple velvet coat, blue
scarf, standing collar, enormous gold
chain, light pantaloons and white
kids. There is an elaborate air
about him, as if he were manufac-
turcd for the occasion. Ladies'
saunter in without any escort, and
take their seats without any fear.
Middle-aged gentlemen, with over.
coats heavily draped in fur, stand
in tho aisles, gesticulating wildly.
Opera, glasses are freely passed
around, and the usual quantity of
small talk INDUCED in.
At seven the music strikes up
lively air, to which the people in
the gallery keep. time with their
feet; ut quarter past seven the cur
tain rises and the play bogins--"The
Great Beneiactor." Shakespeare
didn't write, but Herr Wilken did,
1t is not q tragedy or comedy or
society play-simply what they
call a "volk-stuck," kind of pop
ular melodrama, comediette, and
burlesque combined, in which every
opportunity is afforded for the actors
to mako fools Of themselves and Of
tho audience. But it is q shame to
DO so cynical when possibly deep
lessons will tonight be taught
Lofty patriotism, eviction, self.sac.
rifice, love surrounding every OBJ.
stacle-are not these the play
wright's themes? .'9The Great Ben
efactor !" Surely this must be a
dramy to excite the most. thrilling
emotions, to control our sympathies,
and, like the fragrance of an onion,
excite our tears. We have not the
heart to cliticise the acting. Each
actor spoke distinctly, however, aud
the ladies wore high dresses. If
the play-bills did cost q groschen,
and cur billet twenty-five, the
amusement was great. Granted
that Herr Wilken is no Shakespeare,
his Pulver will long live in memory,
and the champagne cotillion (some
city manager ought to patent the
idoa) was palpable hit. as