The herald., 1895-11-17
WITH THE GODS
OF THE GALLERY


1 against tub CcllIuss lOWS VI SuiNcu
benches intersected by aisles OF vertigo
nou. decivity.a big human rack hung by
invisible fastenings to the rear wall and
ceiling of theater-that is the gallery,
the eyrie OF the street arabs. the abode ofths
"gods," wnere peanuts are am brosia, and
for nectar one quaffs the eloqusncs of
the mime.
Out in the west, where first nights are
scarce as hens teeth. the gallery gods"
are unaerestima,ed. Regular theater-
goers take them good naturally, as a
noisy, iovial set. quite convenient for
supplying the applause that gives the
proper color to a eli nax-only this and
nothing more.
The local gallery boy lives in an atmo-
sphere of mingled federation and in differ'
ence. He is neither feared nor respected
as his brothers of the east.
This is all because st. Louisans have
their dramatic opinions made to order.
Attractions before reaching here have
been tried by the fl re of eastern criticism.
The local theateI-goer, a most indolent
appreciation, accepts the dicta OF others
rather than energize sufficiently to iormu-
late an opinion or his own. In this at
mosphere of PhilistInism the gallery is
stifed. Indeed. on the rare occasions on
which it has ate mpted to assert its indie
pendence, physical force has been en-
ployed to coerce it into uniformity with
the pit.
case in point occurred some years
ago when Mary Anderson brought here
her ali-English production of A Winters
Tale. Mary was bad enough, but her
troupe of transforming cockneys were
too much for the gallery. The pit and
BOXES were tillsd with the elite of the city,
and they we're in ecstacy over produce
ton that had visibly charmed the prince
of Wales. But the gods" uld not I'M
derstand the thick speech of the English
men, MOI appreciate their suited action.
Undaunted by this display of fashion they
boldly guyed the performance. Four
ushers were pretty tadly beaten tor at
tempting to restore order, and relay of
scene shutters was finally necessary to
bring about quiet. There were dozen
broken heads as the RESULT OF the even.
ing, and there has not been q noisy GAL
lery in either the Grand or Olympic since.
There are two theaters In st. Louis,
though, where the gallery gods are I'M
rranlmeled. The houses are entirely I'M
like IN character, one being devoted ex-
clusively to melodrama, the other entire.
ly to vaudeville.
TIE same crowd frequents both theaters
but exercises its versatility of taste ac-
cording TO the attractions the respective
managers provide. Wh'n the show at
Havlia's is full of hair-treadth escapes
and thrilling climaxes, Manager Garen
gets the crowds. When there are female
baritones who sing a bout Little Furnished
Room, but It's Home, at the Standard,
Manager Buffers houses run top-heavy.
Outlines there is clash of favoritss,
then the gallery god practices economy
on the outside and takes in both shows.
One OF the marked characteristics uf
the gallery bOy-there are others is his
fondness for particular actors or actresses.
The late Lawrence Barrett was red -ho.
favorite with the gallery boys from one
end OF the country to the other. This
may have been due to the widely -circu-
lated story that in early life he was
newsboy, and his name was Larry Bran
| i1an. Tn 're was food for hope in this
for every stage-strt ok youngster in the
land. A long way off and IN another di-
| rectlon is Sadie Hasson. who we"-s a
, trapper's outfit ana shoots Indians with
marvellous indiscrImi alton. She i, .ue
| ideal woman to more than half the fac
tory bows in the big citi,s OF the country.
and her youthful admirers lie awake at
and wondering Why their own mothers
and sisters cannot be nodded along such
her ole lines.
Two other big favorites are Helen Mora
and Ola Hayd. n, 10th female baritones,
as they are called on the vaudeville bills.
They have marvellous contralto voices
and fetching way OF putting sentime ut
into a ballad. Their hold with the gall
lery comes from their invitation to the
bows to join in tue refrain. Miss Mora
deserves credit for inventing the invita-
ton. II was ust done as a clever piece
of diplomacy to avoid a nilly-willy stua-
ton.
IL the air ia ANYWAY ponuIar nothing
can stop the lofters from Joining in. If
they are not asked to sing they'll whistle.
The red-hot favorite OF all, though, is
Maggie Cline. When the queen of Iiisn
song advances to the fooi!ights she al
ways looks up to her friends aloft and
boy in the gallery feels she has taken
personal notice nj him.
The persistent fad with the gallery boys
is the modern melodrama, With its su-
perb scenic accessories and climaxes by
mech anical device. He wants action for
Susan" would not interest him ten min
utes. 1t is the show that can produce
the greatest number of happenings to an
act that gets his coin the Oftenest. Those
are the kind of shows they put on at
Havlin's, clean, wholesome shows. apt
to give "a boy exaggerated ideas of life, it
is true. but not calculated to warp his
moral fiber.
One night during the week Republic
reporter climbed to the gallery Ut Hav-
Inns. 1t was packed to the roof and as
bathing is not part OF the daily curricu-
lum of the habitues it was trif1e trying.
The gods did not seem to mind it. They
were packed in swelterug rows from the
railing to the seats at the top in which,
when one is seated, he must bend forward
lest his head strike the ceiling. Nearly
all had removed their coats and looseneG
their shirt fronts. Some chewed tobacco,
others ate fruit or munched peanuts.
All were in a happy frame of ml"d.
There was German Knockout comedian
holding the stage whils the Sensational
climax was being set. All his jokes were
given in a personal turn and hurled back
ard forth among the acquaintance. The
raillerv was keen aid intensely personal
but seemed to arouse no ill feeling. Sud-
nary person in tile gallery. Quick as a
! tim in the shape OF a sleepy looking
Seven hundred pairs OF eyes turned on
the POOR fellow, and as many tongues
shot pointed remarks at him. 1t was the
I cruel wit OF thoushtlpss youth.
| Then the scene changed and everyone
! Strengthened out and leaned forward, for
! the climax Of the play was about to come.
! The villain rushed on and elm bed up
| telegraph pole and tapred wire only to
| learn that the police were after him ana
| had bean notified By his rival. The mere
| tapping incident was heartily appreciat-
ed. linen the hero comes on. Why
4 w.