New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-22
FIRST-NIGHTS.
AND ESPECIALLY THE FIRST NIGHT,
BEFORE AND BEHIND THE CURTAIN.
AT THE ST JAM,Es's THEATRE.
SATURDAY, APRIL 90.

a good first night Is greater than ever. True, a
gentle shower of rdcule fell no long time ago
on the professional first nghter'-a word
which has no sufficient excuse for existing
he has survived 1t. and he is still 10 almost as
great extent as ever the torment and the de-
spair Of the manager. In the eye OF the puDhc
he is perhaps less obtruslve. The word Is used
to denote that company Of individuals VINO nave
no particular reason for being present on the
first production OF play. except that II IS the
first and that others who have reason for
being present will compose in great part the
audience; and, finally, that to see and be seen is
to these professional attendants one of the chief
objects of existence The manager would be
heartily glad TO be rid Of them. His theatre Is
not big enough for those whom he would like to
see on such an occasion; for the critics who are
a numerous band for his own friends and the
friends of the author: for persons OF some real
distinction who are interested in the drama; ana
for the select little group who are there not 10
borrow lusre from the occasion but to lend II.
Certain theatres in London have what might
be called a speciality Of first nights SUCH are
the Lyceum. the Haymarket the st. Jamess,
the Garrick and some others in a less degree.
Mr.. Irving it Is true. as l explained the other
day cares more cor the presence OF his own
friends and especially his old friends. than Tor
celebrities He is in position to do as he likes'
He has his own public as well as his own irlends'
and his fortunes depend but little If at all
unon the adyentitious spendors of smart
first night. That Is one Of the pleasures OF being
at the top of. the tree You may even pursue
YOUR career without help from royalty. There
are members Of the royal family whose attend
ance at the play whether on first or other
nights is frequent: or even assiduous. The
Tola 10 Prince
been seen Of late. until this present week, at no
theatre in London for the quite simple reason
that ne has been abroad. The Queen may yet
emerge from her eeclusion and be seen inside a
nlavhouse She Commanded" YOU remember.
Mr. Irving TO play Beckett before her at WINDSOR
last wear and he Loyalty obeyed and ana not
think obedience dear az $1,000 the sum which II
cost him to produce the play for single night
on an improvised stage in the Waterloo 'd'-
lery az Windsor Castle with new scenery anu
new costumes and other incidental expenses
And now We have IN the largest type the thrilI-
ing announcement by Sir Augustus Drurolanus
Harris that Her Majesty has taken box AT the
Opera for the coming season. Whether she VIII
occupy II In person the progress OF the season
will show.
But il was the memory Of the hrst h@h' 81
..Tbo Naso,eraders" at the St Jamess Theatre
I W | L
keen TO that No doubt that It was one Of the
most remarkable OF all; remarkable IN the mum
her Of distinguished persons whom IT attracted
and remarkable for the course OF events ana 10Y
the uncomfortable popular impulse which turned
- very possible failure into an extraordinary
success: remarkable also. in a way. for the
marty on the stage afterwarl. Mr.. Alexander :
/ relations with the social world are many, ana
there came delegations II such a word may De
used from Mayfair and other centres OF i"Sh-
ION to speed him on his way
At the head. a figure rarely seen since her
marriage the Duchess Of York. whom the housi
saluted with that mingled homage paid IN part
to the beauty OF the woman and In part TO ,he
wife Of the next heir but one 10 the Throne iie'
rather the Duchess OF Teck. was with her'
rbev occupied two boxes on the right OF the
s,,ce thrown into one and half hidden with
| o,vers Lady Burdett-COutts was win t"r"'
| The Duke Of York and the Duke OF lecK s@' III
! tho stalls This democratic demonstration pr"
voked questions and comments. surely 'he MS
| time" said one lady that the future N'ns ~
England has been seen in that part Of 'he "ou''
on a first night" do not see why the u'N''"y
that doth hedge a King may not hedge MI" Jus
AS effcctually amid a crowd OF MS I"'"'e ""
tec,s a. II he were In the comparative priVaeS
! ~ q box.
&, ought e. be good FOR as much as thaI
Tna Young sailor-Princc. as It used 70 be th'
,shion "a call him while lis elder brother Wa
au,.o has in truth learned many lesson o
so.ial intercourse from his father ana perh"P
/ h,,ered the instruction. lie has manners Z"
circular frankness The courtlers about mn
NTH, he shocked that he should INA hii'S''
a., . rosi,lou which gave others the rght To pas
and reuass him In the rather closely pm
ranges Of stalls. lie himself appeared III TO VIZ
d,sconcerted by this contact with the MONROE
world Why should he be? It has been observe
-, h,r, ,ba, I'm other circumstances where gu
ouette "a more precise. he seemed 10 set "'"
s,oro bv his privileges. He liked 10 NEE
r.onle on even terms, ana 10 De NV
an oven terms His tastes are thouBhl S'''P
uo &c easily amused. and shows 1t easily d"
bae the kind Of interest In life natural 10 HIS ds
- mot IN his rank. He knows very wen 10" J."
q word from his lips goes among hhs"S" P''i
whom he meets. and ne is not sparihg Oh "o'O
nor Of amable greetings.
= q one Of the penalties Of social intercours
,.,,h most ROYALTIES that "A kind OF awed hush
an, ~ come over the company. the voice
= Il,yored. the attitude Of attention; cac
-, oocb man or woman has. too often u
air n, ono OF whom something Is expected an
l., ,r, IN fulfil this expectation fals
= established between those huma
-, u,bn are Of what is called royal bTt
odd chose who are not 1t Is not or p-ua!'
,,oar is ORIGIN is not Of to-day; 1t Is inheri'c
= ,radfional historical; a kind Of homage rigdI
c exacted In most cases and fear not less VIII
,nolv paid. With all this the Duke Oh io'
gems disposed to dispense when he can. II INA
ha that he wished to indicate this disposiu.
last Saturday at the St. Jameson 1t may
= that he thought he could see and hear Detp
: from the stalls than from the boxes lie u"
+ as it may. his presence created no small sens
ton especially among his nearest neis"ool
J. Of whom. however. none went down on inc
| kneeS