National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-01
THEATRE STATISTICS.
The Early Days Of the Histrionic Profess
siou-Its Growth and Power.

The Early Days OF the Ifistrionic Profes-
siom-Ifs Growth and Power.
The histrionic profession dates back to the re-
mote ages. 1t had its origin with the Greeks, and
consisted chiefly of semireligiouS ceremonies
The first dialogue recited in public was by Thespis
| in $50 B. C. Eschylus was the inventor of stage
scenery. The first playhouse" were exceedingly
rude In construction; in fact, they were not really
buildings Blu. merely wooden scsffOds temporarily
erected. The Athenians were the first people who
built theatre 1t was made of stone, and Is said
to have been in process of erection one hundred
and sixty years Neither the stage, the orchestra,
nor the auditorium was rooted; awnings were used
to protect the spectators from the sum- greater
part of the performances were enacted in the day
| time.
The ancient theatres were so vast IN size that II
was impossible for the voice TO reach all parts OF
the building. and artificial means were employed
to aid the sound to spread over the theatre. One
of these conrivances the brazen vessels, or the
metallic vases, which were placed i'll different
parts of the house to convey the performers voices
The actors also used metallic mOuthpieces, which
were very similar to our modern speaking
| trumpets. The features of the performances were
sometimes disguised by smearing of Winelees-
generally the mask concealed the face. They were
made to represent all ages, and expressed every
| phase of character. There were the tragic masks,
of women. The actors were all males; they usually
played from ten to twelve hours. The theatres
opened at sunrise when the spectators began to as
semble in order to secure good seats. No charge
for admission was made at first, the edifce was
| built at the public expense.
The theatre built by Emlius Scararus, IS B. c.,
! could accommodate 50 000 The first Hmphithea-
ire was built of wood in 45 B. C. by julius Cesar.
The first stone edice of this class erected by
! Emperor Titus. The ruins of this vast building
are still pronounced a remarkable Roman curl
osity and bear the name of Coliseum, from colos-
sal statue of Nero that stood near it. BY device
| of luxury, perfumed liquids were conveyed in
secret tubes around the building and scattered
over the audience. These immense structures
were generally used for gladiatorial shows and the
| fighting of wild beasts. All the ancient theatres
and amphitheatres were dedicated to the gods.
The histrionc profession had its origin in a rude,
uncvilized form, yet it has exercised wonderful
influence over the majority of people The stage
has experienced numerous vicissitudeS, lost and
| gained power, but never at any period has it
| wholly passed out of existence.
After the Christian era plays were still enacted
| and the dramatic writers were many. The era of
miracle plays came to a close at the end of the
| fifteenth century; these dramas were chiefly rep
resented in converts and churches The first
| theatre built in France was dedicated to miracle
plays 1t not till the opening of the sixteenth
| century that the French had theatre scenery; at
this time none of the performers left the stage
until the end of the piece.
! Piran Round is said to be the first theatre built
| in London. During the reign Of Henry ". the
| symbolicaI drama was first favored, and has been
termed sermons put into actions" 1t remained
for Richard III. to build up the profession. He re-
| tanned near him company of players. This royal
| patronage gave the profession eclut and marked
prestige. The actors were permitted to travel off
at short distances and give entertainments TO the
public 1t is stated that gentlemen of the inner
courts frequently assumed the sock and buskin
and played for the sport of the King The first
edfce legally set apart i'll England for theatrical
performances was in 1916, during Queen Eliza
| beth's reign.
At this time Shakespeare was twelve years old.
In 1872 Charles II. granted two patents for the
building of two theatres in London. The front
rows of the boxes were occupied by the men ser
wants of the ariStocracy who formed this plan to
secure their seats on coming late to the theatre and
it also gave them an opportunity to show off the
Splendor of their toilets. This absurd custom was
not of long duration; it ceased suddenly, like the
fashion of appearing i'll the theatre boxes dressed
| in deep mourning during the season of Lent Nov
able scenery was introduced by Davenant in 1862
During ShakSpearcs career the stage was carpeted
| with rIshes and cleverly concealed by curtains
! which were drawn apart when the performance
| commenced. Women are said to have made their
first appearance on the mimic stage about the time
of the restoration and from this period there COM
menced marked changein the style of the drama
the language was more chaste and the action more
refined. The first theatre built in this country
in 1752. 1t was erected in Williamsburg. Va.