Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-18
ON AND OFF THE STAGE
Interesting Notes About Theaters
and Theatrical People.
REALISM IN THE DRAMA.
Endeavoring to Advertise An Improper Play
in New York-The Arbitrary Power Of the
Mayor-How an Impressario Discovered .
voics-Ths Spanish Dsncers-Good Stories.
correspondence Of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
New YORK, April II, 1891.
VNHE BEST LAID PLANS o. NICE AND
u theatrical men gang aft a'glee. This is
oftenest SO when boomers of plays contrive de-
vices Of publicity. A drama made out Of q
notoriously indecent novel was brought out in
this city. Notwithstanding the ill-fame Of the
book and the announcement that its worst in
cidents were to be represented on the stage the
audiences were very small during week or ten
days. Then the protector Of the unfortunate
enterprise conceived that il he could raise an
official protest against the character Of the
piece its financial fortune would still be posi-
BILE. So the mayor, suddenly all in day, re-
ceived something like dozen letters convey
ing to him denunciation of this performance
and calling upon him to stop it. The mayor
believed that these letters emanated from the
theater itself and his own ingenuity proved
qai'e siiIlcient to block the game that was
attempted upon him. Our law about
theatrical Licenses is singular In convey
ing absolutely arbitrary power upon
the mayor. For any reason, or for no reason,
he may refuse to grant Q license. There is no
appeal from his decision. The object Of this
peculiar legislation was to prevent keepers Of
disreputable resorts from taking their cases
into the courts and thus keeping their estab-
lishments open during long delays. Well.
Mayor Grant sent . note requesting the owner
Of the wicked play to call on him. The man was
delighted by the summons for he knew that all
the newspapers were bound to report the forth
coming interview. But the nature of the dia-
logue between him and the mayor was what
astounded and COMPOUNDED him.
"lf you will go to see the play" said the
visitor, land will designate any portions which
you deem indecent we will promptly modify or
exclude them"
Il shall not 60 to see the play" said the
mayor, land have neither the power nor dis
position to criticise it. But 1 believe it is an
| immoral thing and request you to take it off
the stage immediately"
The caller smiled covertly, and said: "Of
course, We understand very well that your
honor has not the power Of a censor to prohibit
this drama"
That is true" was the rejoinder. ''but the
license OF that theater expires on May / and it
is entirely possible that difficulty might arise
IN getting q renewal"
The only witness at this interview pricked up
his ears almost visibly at this point He was
the agent Of the owner Of the theater, and the
entirely feasible suggestion of the mayor to
refuse license for the ensuing year, thus COM
polling an utter disuse of the property for
theatrical purposes, was indeed alarming. The
party withdrew and the condemned play was
not performed again. The publication Of the
fact that the mayor was giving any attention to
the subject sent great crowd to the doors
that evening, but they had to be turned away
and the real reason Of the sudden closure is
here given for the first time.
THE MAYORS ARBITRARY POWER.
The arbitrary power in the latter Of hcens-
ing places Of public amusement is not always
used SO happily. Besides the many little
museums there were two really big establis-
ments in this city, Huber's Palace and Doris
vrhl nh
ular diversion for a time. and were conducted
in an orderly, respectable fashion. Another
operator named Worth built a third museum
close to Broadway and in the midst of the
theatrical district, investing heavily in the
property. To his great astonishment when
he was all ready to open, he was informed by
one of the mayors clerks that no license could
be granted.
''What is the reason?' Worth asked.
There Is no reason to give you,'' was the
cool answer Simply the mayor will not
license you"
The dismayed Snowman consulted LAWYERS.
but they told him that there was no recourse
The mayor might crafty his within in the mat
ter, and no court had the power to reverse his
decision. Months elapsed and the museum
doors remained locked. At length however,
they are open, and Worth's Museum is in full
swing. Why did the mayor finally grant the
license! Well. the answer must take the form
Of mere surmise by the reader. The only
fact which the writer can give, bearing upon
the question, is that q well-known politician
very influential at the city hall. is now an
owner OF one-quarter Of the museum.
GOOD BUT EXPENSIVE.
How artistic and commercial considerations
do war in the breasts Of amusement managers.
l was one of party last year in Barnum's box
at his circus. He watched everything with
keen interest and most critically. At q remark
ably fine bit OF driving he was visibly delighted
and when the horseman took the circle to re-
ceive applause after his act the great Snowman
gratified performer bowed deeply and Barnum,
leaning back, groaned: snow, that will cost me
at least 80 week on his salary" Then he
added: ut was d fine driving, though"
While your mind is fixed upon the qualities
Of queer performers think whether it is
tet. The big, hollow-eyed dark-haired
fierce fellow has the falsetto and sings
Come hrdy" for his solo. The deep roar
that you had fancied was his belongs to the
scared little chap with pale siders and slightly
handy legs. When the four stand in a row and
do ''Oh, hear the bells-bells! Oh, hear the
be-els-bells" every man of them twiddles
with his left hand at his watch chain. You look
and see if they don't. Have you ever noticed
how music goes to the hair? Musicians almost
invariably have either waving masses of name
or hercely thick and stiff stubble.
THE SPANISH DANCERS
have had their day in New York, and it has not
been very severe weather for them, either But
they are now compelled to resort to devices Of
boom to finish out the season. There are two
version of one story. One is that we'll known
man about town went to the performance and
became SO intoxicated by the sensuous meas
ures of the fair Spaniard's art as to lose his
head and cry out for mercy or something like
that The other is that being rather short of
money, he did the thing for a hundred
dollars cash down in advance. We are firing
Of the Spanish women and a rumor reached me
| that an effort will be made next season to in
troduce oriental dancers, whose venturesome
feats are said to be absolutely startling. Their
skirts reach quite to their feet, but the loose
vest Is utterly without fastenings Of any kind.
These women scarcely move from one spot, but
their ophidian grace is said to hold the spec
| tator spellbound, and the exploiters assure
| us that the performance will be far more en-
nobling and edifying than the exposures made
by the skirt dancers. Nor do these dancing
women strive to move the lookers-on by all
manner Of suggestive smiles and facial contor-
tons. During the dancing their big, soft black
eyes take on q calm and almost Madonna-like
expression. Well, we shall see. 1t will be q
novelty anyway, and We must have something
new.
FINDING TREsH YOUNG VOICE.
group of men stood in one Of the large
AN AMERICA
From Life.