The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-28
An Us NMBNTs.
Public Taste for Poetry In the Drana-Miss
DaNenRert,s Benent.

That very large proportion Of the pub
lie, as represented by the auditories In play
houses, feel no interest in and receive no de-
light amusement, or entertainments from poetry,
II a common notion, and one that theatre mama
gers generally seem to have accepted ss funda-
mental uxom In the conduct OF their business.
Yet not rarely by accident as II were, this notion
Ia practically shown to be erroneous. In fact,
whenever a truly poetic work has been fairly
we'll presented on our stage, IL II has had dra-
m rattle qualities and theatric fitness In a reason-
able measure, the audiences have not failed TO
demonstrate ready apprec citation OF the poetry as
we'll.
Even In what are called variety theatres, whore
the performances are designed to please less
refined and less cultivated tastes, the assem-
blages are very quick to perceive any indications
even Of poetic feeling; and their most earnest
applause Is always given to that which, In one
form or another. comes nearest 10 some phase
OF poetry. This fact has been often remarked.
It must be admitted that comparatively few
people like to read poetioal works, especially
those which are written In the dramatic form;
but this admission has very little effect on the
argument as to whether they like TO see and
hear It on the stage. or the thousands VINO are
moved by concord OF sweet sounds, and who
seek acme Of their most exquisite pleasures IN
the concert room, very fe<v can either sing or
play upon instruments Inc n.ae,enoe, IN ms Is
respect, between the poetry ana the music "
more one OF degree than II II one OF KIND MOI
many people can read poetry 80 as to receive
from II all liza beauty and signihcance; TO large
numbers lite meaning and its chorus are hidden
| till revealed bv the voice and action OF some
one moro finely orgarized than themselves ana
possessed of greater Skin.
One Of the most recent demonstrations OF
delIcatelv apprcclntive taste Tor poetry In the
drama bv an audience was given 90 tine occasion
of Miss Fanny Dayenpurts benent last Wcdnes-
day afternoon. The Fifth Avenue Theatre was
| representation as a whole was unusually good :
| applause was lber,y bestowed upon II. but
| upon no portion more heartily than upon some
| passages which are pure poetry -such, Tor IN
stance, as Jdqies's description OF the Seven
! Ages OF Man" During Nr. Davenports admira-
| BILE delivery OF these lines, the assembly was
perfectly still, as " 1t could not lose syllable
| II was not the stiffness OF respect but OF ao
| sorbed self-forgettnc attention. Tears glistened
| In many ewes before the passage was ended. Tho
| whole play IL a poem, and one Of avery exquisite
kind; nd ne such II was loved by the assem- hlv.
| Miss Davenport played ROsdltnd Tor the nrst
| time, and made her imperSOnatiOn worthy OF
much commentator. She has yet, however,
something TO acquire before her cmbodlment OF
| the part shall be so fine as sne should make IT,.
| Mr.. lawrence Barrett as Orlando. Mr.. William
| Castle as AtnSns, Mr. T.. l.. Davenport az Jdqits,
| Mr. Charles Fisher IA ADAM and competent actors
| In all thu other parts, with one or two not very
| important exceptions, made up cast that In
ance.
| One such entertainment from time to time
serves to enltven the regret that works OF this
kind, works that sh II have the addition Of the
| almost imperaiively necessary quality, novelty,
| cannot beloitener seen. Yetat least some OF our
managers remember that one OF the noble pur-
poses ~ the theatre is u tustr tie roetry. az IL
lives IN the drama. and render II Ineligible to all