New-York tribune., 1875-05-15
CHATTERERS
A PROTEST AGAINST A THEATER AND CoNCERT-RoOM
NUISANCE,


To the EdttOr Of The TribwRs
SIR During a recent performance at Wallack's
one of the prominent male actors, while appearing
in difficult role paused, approached step or two
nearer the fOotiights and spoke somewhat as fol-
lows " Ladies and gentlemen, really find it i'm
possible to 90 on. have tried my best 10 act all
through the evening but am now obliged TO make
this appeal From their vagueness these words
may not have been understood by all in the audi
ence but there is no doubt that the annoyed actor
alluded to the occupants OF private box. He re-
sumed his part, and doubtless the cbatterers whom
he had rebuked for their nncivil behavior felt the
repr0of quite rs kecnly they would had II been
more pointed.
Such incidents are not uncommon among what ue
termed fashionable audiences A party or friends il
assembled in a box which il in such close proximity
to the stage that any remark above whisper is dis
tinctly heard by the performers although the audi
ence NAV be only occasionally disturbed. II would
be difficult TO say why these chatterers go through
the farce of attending Il theater at all; they seem
to have no other object in view than general dis
regard of what passes upon the stage and general
absorption in their own gaTTnlous conversation.
They babble with the thoaghtlessness,
or rather the wantOn impertinence of youth.
When the Just reprimand comes-as it more than
once has come such Occasions-cheeks grow crim-
son with shame, and bosOms heaye with illogical
feminine Indignation. Nor is this at all unnatural;
audacity a1d deliberate dscourtcsy, when suddenly
checked in their apt 70 experience feel
ngs OF supreme disgust at being forced 10 wear
more the calling yoke of conventional not 10 say
decent, behavior. | confess that had no pity the
other evening for the dscomfted objects of so mer-
tied snub. only thought that the whip-handie
was furnished with altogether TOO mild lash and
r.pIic ayx-aa not hu ed
on subsequently learning that previous TO this public
reprimand deputy had been sent from behind the
scenes with polite request to the occupants Of the
box TO refrain from talking.
There is no doubt that nuisances of this nature
n growing evil ut places of public amusement. Dur
ing the opera season at the Academy chattering has
been intolerabe. There is certain ubiquitous spe
cies of curled darling, with immaculate necktie and
spacious shirt-fTont who apparently considers the
claims Ot the prima donna or the leading actress
upon public attention much less worthy than his
own The insolent spirits who would presume 10
dispute his rights III this respect the AdOnl5 0t the
Upper Tendon can of course afford 70 desplsc. En-
couraged by Angelina in box No. l. he is warmly
abetted by Caroline in No ., and by the whole pha
lanx of dantily costumed supporters. Some con-
emptble creature happens to beseated in the box adj
Joining that wherein the light of his presence is being
ditfilsed. Ii is unqucstonably of consequence
that we should prefer the strains of Nilsson or the
acting of Miss Dyas 10 What a crush Mrs. SO-and-
Sos was last evening" and How nicely johnny
Deuxtemps led the German the night before We
did not it il true invest admission fee FOR this
peculiar entertainment, but we should nevertheless
esteem ourselves III luck in being able 10 enjoy
superior privilege. One can 20 10 the theater or
opera almost any night, yet vulgar mortals like our
selves usually debarred from listening 10 the
sacred sylables Of fashionable thattercrs.
10 put the grievance of the New-iOTk audi
ence in the very mildest Eight, do not
about listening TO two people at once. We have
paid our money and We meekly desire 10 take onr
choice. We propose tO hear Mr.. Monta que deal with
the tender passion and not TO hear Mr. Brown or Mr.
jenkins do something Of the same nature in a neigh
boring box. Three or four ent' dces furnished
each evening, aud these are very often wearlsOme in
duration. II the chatterers cannot avail themselves
Gurng such periods of the social opportunities thus
afforded this il why silent folk should be-
the victims of their lOquacity, why pains
taking artists doing their best to provide entertain
ment Of cOmmendable character, should suffer
from the insult of open uattenton, aud the wretch
ed drawback 0f hearing loud voices and often
loud laughter as well, among those who
have ostcnsibly come to observe their
dramatic efforts. Upstairs in what is
orally peopled by shabby looking and literate
pa frOns-nO such disregard Of the performance
woud he tolerated for a moment. Unless these
people were promptly quieted by the spectators
enforce order IL would I've well il son,e OF the chat
tereis downstairs considered this striking lack Of
analogy between the two divisions of the house and
thereafter profit~ byit- Many of them would doubt
manners through such q degrading medium of
tnltiop. Bnt they shuul.l reflect that il is even
better 70 receive Q wholesome leoson from I'm