The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-01
Miss Lillian 0.Cott Discusses Same Questions
About the Stage.
Does III, Stays Need RstOrm-PIsY, That Are
Most Profitable.
Efsc! Of Applause Upon ActCrs-Ths Theatre
and the Pulpit
Illusions of the Stage-Objects of the
Drama-rhe Old b Bachelor in the
Gallery, Etc.
Written for the Sentinel.
copyrighted, lsSS.

Written for the Sentinel
copyrighted, lsSs.
The most present word of the day is re-
form. Every one is convinced that his
neighbor needs il, and is somewhat i'm
pressed with his own ability to administer
The same The stage, of course, has not es-
capped the general clamor. and managers
and actors frequently receive advice and
suggestion on the subject. When dissatis-
fed, the public should remember that tie
remedy is entirely in their own hands.
Managers provide precisely what they think
the people will pay for, without sentiment
or personal pref udice. There is no better
reason to reform the stage than there is TO
reform any other phase of social life. All
need improvement more or less, and all are
more or less likely not to get il Immediately.
Satisfactory development in this case, IS
in all others, must be gradual. If the stage
were suddenly stripped of all frivolous ele-
ments, the proceeding might, possibly, re.
ceive the formal Endorsement of society;
but it w6uld not receive its financial sup
port. Gdipus Tyrannus, in the original
Greek, possesses, doubtless many highly
instructive and valuable qualities. But
the public seem quite satisfied to concede
the coed points of 0fdipus on trnst, and it
has tie peoples benediction from dist
al &c. Adonis Dfxey, in equally original
English, must win approval through the
J ersonal criticism OF ali classes. Result:
Qdipus runs one week to loss, and Ado
mis- ICns inde iinitely to profit. While
not strictly classic in treatment, that Ado
mis- imparts much useful information of a
very general character is admitted by ali
who saw that talented Grecian after he
went into the milk business, and his great
success may have been somewhat deter
mined by that circumstance; but managers
may be excused il their classic enthusiasm
is Influenced by such facts. Society has
not reached that ideal point in its ethical
culture which justifes tyrannical denun-
citation of its professional sis er. Whether
the intellectual or moral progress OF the
drama be slow or rapid, 1t is sure to be In
harmony with it's environments, for 1t
depends not on an exclusive class, but on
the mass OF the people, and 1t cannot,
therefore, be greatly retarded or greatly in
advance. That it certainly has kept pace
with the universal progress is evident, Po-
pular applause settles at once the tone of
any performance, for the stage does not, as
q rule, mould the taste of the time. 1t re-
flee s. and is controlled by it.
THE EFFECT OF APPLAUSE
upon artists is often quoted as due to their
nervous susceptibility. The fact is over
looked that it ie an unmistakable evidence
of approval, and is, as such, desired. Ar
fists do not relish such expressions on the
same principle that our heather visitor de-
lights in ton-tom, or our own civilized
small boy in the glorious Fourth" racket.
1t is the direct medium of communica ion
across the footlights. But that artists do
possess nervous susceptibilities of a most
| pronounced order, is very generally the
case, and is point in their favor as indi-
eating the temperament and tastes of
| mi no
I possession of its creative force. A highly
strung nervous organization may, aud
usually does, introduce into the character
OF its possessor much unexpressed psthos,
and is, therefore, less comfortable than q
more stolid nature, but it is also more
prompt ana active, and the world owes
/ much Of its stirring music to the instru-
ments it holds at concert pitch.
1t is singular that in the occasional argu-
ments against the stage, the most unique
| system Of logic seems to prevail. 1t was
once asserted, at public gathering, that
the theatre is temptation that should be
suppressed, and the statement illustrated
by the remark that children frequently
! steal the money to attend 1t. Yet no one
ever advocated the determination of the
melon or apple crop, although the felo-
NOUS efforts of enterprising boys to sppro-
! pirate the same to their own use is no.
torious. Moreover, the disposition of ap-
Piles to disagree with the human race is
well known and Of ancient origin, yet that
| fruit has flourished unchalleDged to the
present hour. We should be more con-
sistant. 1t would be as easy to abolish the
drama as it would be to abolish tie tears
and laughter it so frequently calls forth.
On the other hand, efforts to confound
the theatre with the pulpit, or the rostrum,
or TO re gard it as q sort Of gilt-edged semi
| rlh
siTable. ANY difficulty in defining its po-
sition may, perhaps, originate in misun'
Outstanding of its limitations as well as its
! possibilities. The thrush, when first created
does not seem TO have any definite purpose
concerning himself, but under the caressine
hand OF nature he steadily develops, and
the elimination fills the air with melody.
But if the music of the thrush is pleasant
that is no reason why the chicken should
e.expected to manifest operate tendencies
Inc roc ster has tried it, but he is not sue
cess. and thoughtful people, observing thai
example OF misapplied genius, do not put
the thrush in fricassee, nor list mp or
the chicken as vocalist.
ACCEPT THE THEATRE
for what it is-the court of the graces, whose
worthy and sufficient object is to amuse
Poetry and music, eloquence and grace,
have contributed their utmost, aud il some
philosophers can admit happiness as the
object of philosophy-the aim of life-sure
ly the drama may accept amusement as it:
raison d etie. 1t sweeps across the leisure
hours of life and brings to light unreceg
nized emotions, dreams vague and unde
fiji led but often beautiful. That these dream.
may be vain illusions does not affect their
value in the least. So. perhaps, are all tn,
best things of this world illusions, and thu
saddest sight that life presents is the beinl
who, having unveiled them all, stand
confronted by its insignifcsnce.
1t has been said that faith and love, idel
ity and friendship are illusions, and yet 1
is confessed that, however short their pro
bable duration, the value of the life that il
crammed with these mistaken notions may
safely be quoted at par. AS all cannot ira
vel in the intricate path of science, and fnC
their consultations in Its assured vitality, i
is Just possible that a too analytical know
ledge OF the emptiness OF sentimental tri
f1es, or of frivolous poetical pleasures, /
not the best promoter Of human good. An,
one who can arouse hearty, joyous Iaugl
need not hesitate to avow the rare accom-
plishment. ANY one who can reach tn
fountain OF tears through the avenue o
sympathy can benefit and enrich tn
race, Life seems a lengthy piece o
busine 0, whose tendency is to harden ant
to blunt. Anything which inclines to sof
ten the heart or to exercise the finer I'M