The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-21
THE STAGE AND THE. CHURCH.

DINAL MANNN06 ANATHK0A AGAINST THE
srAoE-IRv1NG's REPLY 10 HIS xMINxxcx-
s'QUExN nARY"-THE ENGLISH ACTOR TELLS
THE RELrGIoNIsTs soM1 HOME rRuTHs-HIs
ARGUMENT REGARDED AZ MAGNIFICENT
DxrENCE OF THE STAGE
LONDON, April a, 1874
The London stage proper does not give Us just now
anything demanding particular notice. The novelties
will not be produced before Easter aQucen Mary" is
in active rehearsal at tho Lyceum. and promises
create deep attention. both from literary and dramatic
point Of view. II will be no surprise TO you learn
that Tennyson's work has undergone considerable
curtaimont but II may be consolation Tor you 10
know that this has been done with the consent and
under the supervision Of the poet laureate himself
Several and characters OF the original drama have
been mercessy cut out; the severe autCatnoic tone
OF many OF the speeches been modified and several
new passages and now ending have boon added by
Tonnyson-about which trust to be- able report In
good time Irvng's role In the drama will be that OF
Philip very short one indeed, which viii show this
talented actor and praiseworthy light for no
thus gives excellent example 10 his brother actors
or true devotion to the interest Of dramatic art in
thus aiding. comparatively insignineans part, in
giving perfect representation Of the entire DRAMA
every true lover Of art would wish.
DRAMATIC c0xrRovKRsfEs
am induced TO speak OF tho approaching perform
ance Of Tsnnyson's drama to-day principally ac
count Of tho interesting controversy which is being
carried the newspapers respecting Cardinal Man
nng's recent condemnation OF tho entire dramatic
In this condemnation Cardinal Naming, am bound 10
say SURPRISE tho moro because his course
in direct contradiction 10 the attitude usually MAN.
tanned by the Catholic clergy OF the Continent respect
ing the drama Tho Cardinal condemns the drama IN
toto At meeting OF the Roman Catholic Temperance
Society at Exeter Hail. on the 2lst Of March, his Emil
nencc denounced all establishments for theatrical rep
resentation sfrom the costly theatre Of the rich TO
the penny gan OF the poor" ''onc vast scale OF
corruption" and counsellcd and strongly ADVISED oil
his hearers ncver on any account TO set their feet
In one OF Them Which, with all due dcerence 70 tho
Cardinal IL pure nonsense, hardly deserving the ser
Gus attention that has been given IL We are accus
toned 10 hear such dcnunciasions from Scotch Puri
taus. but from the Cardinal Ne had expected better
things. but
TuKRE Is A RxAsox YoR EVERYTHING.
so, at least say some Of tho English actors, and
that reason be found In tho coming performances
Of tho drama Of "Qucen Mary" which contains, IL Ia
true hard passages against the Catholic religion
II this 10 the only then tho Cardinal may res,
in pescc for all passages OF anti Catholic and there
fore Objectionable nature. have boon carefully or.
plunged or modified, and nothing Ia will DO found
hurt tho feelings OF the most faithful to any great Dc
gree. Had tho Cardinal confined himself TO . con-
domination OF those performances which are really
worthy Of ccnsurs no would have found support
enough There dozen moro theatres In London
where the performances unhealthy in tone and the
stage simply show place for pretty faces and good
ngurss scantily drssssd for vulsary and ndscsney,