New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-23
GOING OFT EETUEEN THE ACTS

| THE Sun" has been collecting the views
| Of theatrical managers upon the mascu-
line habit of going out between the acts-a pro-
cecding which those gentlemen are entirely unable
to control II has been ntimated before now in
| these columns that we need trainng-school for
| audiences. Our audiences have number Of bad
habits, and the just noted is not the least Of
them. But what can be done about it? In Con-
tinental countries the women have no grievance,
because at intervals during the performance the
| entire gathering forsal1e their seats for prone
made and chat. The theatres are constructed
As to permit of this, and both sexes thus enjoy n
few moments OF relaxation that give a new zest
to the performance when it Is renewed But
American audiences would not have the patience
to lengthen out the evening In this way. Our
paygocrs like to have their amusement compressed
within brief period. The thrifty Frenchman,
who goes to the theatre once in six months, is
glad to stay until midnight, but the American
manager is uneasy if the curtain docs not fall by
II, because he knows that his audience will be
getting restless. We cannot hope to initiate the
Continental method here.
This being so, the matter must be left to the
courtesy of individuals A gentleman who takes
a lady friend TO tho theatre will not leave her
alone at any time unless he is forced to do So
4
the only intervals of the evening when there IS
an opportunity for conversation. If he cannot
entertain her with his own talk, he can at least
listen TO hers-an arrangement which may suit her
quite as well and may be more instructive to him.
And there is no apparent why this rule
should not apply to mans wife well to
other women, though many men have one code Of
politeness for the one and another for the other,
and though it must be said also that many wives
have an amiabe habit, not only OF overlooking
this Inconsistency, but even of encouraging their
husbands in it.
But the persons most aggricved are not those
whom the men leave behind them, but the I'M
fortunate beings whom they climb over in going
out and in. Women's hats are crushed, the
toes of both sexes ditto, women are made to rise
from their seats perhaps half dozen times in an
evening in order that men may push past them
This is serious annoyance. No gentleman should
subject any one woman man, to such personal
discomfort without very good reasons 1t is popular
" supposed that most of these restless individuals
20 out for drinks, and il Is more than likely in
large number OF cases this suspicion is founded on
fact The drinking habit is foolish at best,
but when it goes TO the length of dragging man
out of theatre two or three times in the course
Of an evening over the more less helpless forms
of his neghbors it is even less entitled to respect
and liberation Every person who is thus dis
commodcd must feel certain resentment at the
thought that they are made to pay, in the loss OF
their pleasure, for the selfish qualification of a
vulgar and foolish appetite Yet every one of
these men has probably had his joke about
the womens big hats that marred his enjoyment
Still there is something to be said for those who
grow restless during representation lasting two
hours and half, and like the relief of a little
motion. II all the seats could be made aisle seats
some day the model hotel will be entirely
posed of corner rooms, all on the first floor and all
with southern exposure, the problem would be
solved. AS it is, it must be determined by cir
cumstanccs. There arc times when TO go out be-
tween the acts Inconvenience one, and there
times when the practice becomes positive
nuisance.