New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-02-15
HENRY IETING ON TIE AMERICAN
AEUIENCE
From The FsrtHighhy

From The FsrfufQhfy
Two other things are noticeable; frst, that the
audiences are sometimes very unpunctuai ana TO st
the audi(n the managers sometimes deiay oegih
nng The audience depend this delay, and the con
seuuence frequently is that first act Is entirely ais
turbed by their entry secondly, that, after the play
il is custom in a degree unknown in any European
capitol to adjourn to various restaurants ioi th
AS the audience en- bloc remain seated 80 inc
length of the performance must be taken INTO account
by managers ; and con monty two hours ana nan IS
Considered the maximum length TO which perform
ence should run though l must say that we have at
times snned by keeping our audiences seateu untn
o'clock and ii has been even later; vi course ~ ,1 i
branch of the subject must be also considered the
diaicnltv of reaching their homes experienced by
audiences in cities whose liberal arrangements OF space
and absence of cheap cabs renders necessary due re-
card 70 time In matter of duration, however, the
audience is not to be triled with or imposed on
have heard of case in city of Colorado where the
manager of travelling company, on the last hight OF
nm enlargement in order catch through TRAM bur
red the ordinary performance OF his play into an hour
and halt When next the company were coming 10
tbe CITY they were route some fifty miles out
nv the sheriff. who warned them to pass on by some
other way, their coming was awaited by sec
ton of the able-bodied male population armed win
shot guns The company did not am informed, on
that occasion visit the oity. may here mention that
in America the dramatic season lasts atout egnt
months -from the beginning OF the Ihu III "cPIeni
her till the hot weather begins.
Cbe dominant characteristic of the American audience
seems TO be mpartiay They do not SIT III Judgment,
resentnq as positive offences lack of power to convey
meanin ., or divergence OF Interpretation OF particular
character or scene l understand that wheh tney 40
not like performance they simply 20 HW"H' :" NAV "'
the close of the evening the silence OF deserted house
gives to the management the verdict more potent imam
audible condemnation. This does not apply To ones
tions of morals, which be, and are, as quickly
indeed here as elsewhere On this subject give en-
tircy the evidence OF Others for II ha- been my good
fortune audiences seated TN tine Hhal lahs
of the curtain Again. there Is kindly icchg on Tue
mart of the audience toward the actor rs an III
diyidua especially If he be not complete stranger
which IS | presume a pari OF that recognition o Ill
dividuaty which is striking characteristic III
American lite and customs. Many an actor draws
habituny portion OF his audience not III consequence
of artistic merit not frotn capacity TO arouse or cAce
emotion but simply because there Is something ia HIS
nprsonalty which they like This spirit torcib!y re
minds me of She story told OF the manager OF one OF the
old Circus," who gave a. reason Tor the contihueu
engagement of an impcssbly bad actor, That ne was
kind TO his mother" The thorough enjoyment oil the
audience another point to be noticed Not ohly are
they quick understand and appreciate, hlt thete
seems 10 be q genuine pleasure III the expression oil
auproval. American audiences are not surpassed IN
thickness and completeness OF comprehension by any
that have yet and no actor need lear TO MAKE MS
strongest or Ills most subtle effort for such l. sure 10
receive instant and full acknowledgment ut their
hands. . -,
can audience But short though the record is the I'M
nress,on uuon the PLAYER himself is profound and abd
Ing 10 describe what and hears over the loot
lights Is infinitely easier than TO convey an dea OF thc
men disposition and feeling of the spectators Inc
house is ample and comfortable, and the audience Is
wel-dispOsed to be pleased. Ladies ana gentlemen
alike ARE mostly in morning dress. distinguished IN APP
pcarance and guided in every respect 10y IA refined
decorun he sight is generally picturesque Even III
winter flowers abound and the majority oi ladies nav
bououets either earned in the hand fastened the
shoulder or corsage At matinee performances
especiay where the larger proportion of the audience
is composed of ladies, the effect Is not less pleasing TO
the oliactory senses than 10 the eye. courteous
paticn enthusiastic the American audience Is worthy
OF any effort which the actor can make on It's behalf
and he who has had experience OF them would De an
untrustworthy chronicier II he failed or even e"toui
to bear witness to their intelligence, their TASTE and
their generosity