The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-03-19
An American Audience.

The dominant characteristic of the
American audience seems to be impair
tiality. They do not sit in Judgment,
resenting as positive offenses lack of
power to convey meanings or diver
gence of Interpretation of particular
character or scene. | understand that
when they do not like a performance
they simply go away, so that at the
close of the evening the silence OF a
deserted house gives to the manage
ment verdict more potent than audi
ble condemnation. This does not ap-
ply to questions of morals. which can
be, and are, as quickly judged here as
elsewhere. On this subject | give en-
tirely the evidence of others, for 1t has
been my good fortune to see our audi
ences seated till the final falling of the
curtain. Again, there is kindly feel
ing on the part of the audiences to-
ward the actor as an individual, espe-
cially if he be not a complete stranger,
which is, presume, a part of that re-
cognition of individuality which is so
striking a characteristic in American
life and customs.
Many an actor draws habitually a
portion of his audience, not in conse-
quence of artistic merit, not from capa-
city to arouse or excite emotion, but
simply because there is something in
his personality which they like. This
sp rit forcibly reminds me of the story
told of the manager of one of the old
''CircuitS, who gave as a reason for
the continued engagement of an i'm
possibly bad actor. that ''he was kind
to his mother" The thorough enjoy
ment of the audience is another point
to be noticed. Not only are they
quick to understand and appreciate,
but there seems to be a genuine pleas
ure in the expression of approval.
American audiences are not surpassed
in quickness and completeness Of COM
prehension by any that | have yet
seen, and no actor need fear to make
his strongest or his most subtle effort,
Tor such Is sure to receive instant and
full acknowledgment at their hands.
There is little more than this to be
said of the American audience. But
short though the record is, the impress
sion upon the player himself is pro-
found and abiding. To describe what
one sees and hears over the footlights
is infinitely easier than to convey an
idea of the mental disposition and feel
ing of the spectators. The house is
ample and comfortable, and the audi
ence is well-disposed to be pleased.
Ladies and gentlemen alike are mostly
II morning dress, distinguished in APP
pa.vance, and guided in every respect
by refined decorum. The sight is
generally picturesque. Even in winter
flowers abound, and the majority of
ladies have bouquets either carried in
hand or fastened on the shoulder or
corsage. At matinee performances
especially, where the larger proportion
of the audience is composed of ladies,
the effect is not less pleasing to the
olfactory senses than to the eye. Cour-
teous, patient, enthusiastic, the Ameri-
can audience is worthy of any effort
which the actor can make on its be-
half, and he who has had experience of
them would be an untrustWorthy
chronicler if he failed, or even hesi-
tated, to bear witness TO their intelli-
gence, their taste, and their generosity.
-Hewy Irrjng, IN the f'0rthnightty
RecieU.