The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-21
INFLUENCE OF THE STAGE
TODAY.

From the Chicago Chronicle.1
Some jaundiced observers are forever
informing us that the drama is not
what it used to be, and not a few crit
les, especially those in the pulpit, are
fond of harping upon the uncleanness
Of the stage and the degeneracy Of the
popular taste.
But a sincere and intelligent inquiry
into the matter would, we imagine, have
a cheering effect upon these mourners'
and for their sake we will call atten-
ton to some encouraging features in
the present situation.
Setting aside the tremendous question
of the dramas decay, the actors and
the public's degeneracy in regard to
the art of acting. the record of the sea-
son recently closed shows that the
plays which were most successful were
almost invariably Of the most whole
some kind. There was a marked de-
cline in the popularity. never pronounc-
ed in this country. of the erotic plays
form France, of the usually immoral
so-calIed problem play with which
English dramatists in particular flood
ed our stage and of all works which
contained nastiness of any sort.
On the other hand, the greatest sue
cess of the season was a romantic dra-
ma. which depended upon it's atmos-
phere of adventure and heart interest
to attract and delight the public. If a
list of the important plays which made
money and won applause last season
were to be compiled hardly one not
possessed of healthy tone would be
found there.
The theater-goer in this city will
readily recall as among the most note
worthy events of the season Mr.Herne's
beautiful Shore Acres Sir Henry
Irving's superb productions of the Pc
etc drama, the Iamented Frank Mayo's
clean-cut creation of ''Pudd'nhead VIII
son." Clay Clements picture of noble
manhood in 1.-THE New Dominion" the
d-fashioned romance of The Prisoner
of Zenda," Mr. SINNERS Hamlet and
the accustomed excursions in comedy
of the best kind by such artists as Nat
Goodwin, John Drew and the veteran
Joseph Jefferson.
As far as we can see the effect of all
these plays and of the actors work in
them was to elevate as well as to en-
terrain mankind. In some of them, as
broad-minded ministers of the gospel
have occasionally testified, moral truths
and ennobling influences were exhibit
ted and enforced with great and per
suasive power.
There were plays also which appealed
to the baser instincts of man, which
pandered to his animality and so did
great harm. But they were not the ar
tfstic triumphs nor the money makers
of the season. Very few of them found
a Judgement in the reputable theaters.
Even in what are called the cheap the
aters, where melodrama and farce pre-
vail, there was seldom to be found any
thing worse than insanity or vulgarity.
It is a noteworthy fact that the most
indecent plays of the last decade have
been served up at high prices in thea
ters of the frst-class.
In the same line of argument can be
adduced the fact that in those theaters
where variety entertainments are Civ
en- continuously there is seldom to be
found a performance to which objec-
ton can be taken on moral grounds.
The multitudes which flock to these
theaters evidently prefer for instance,
a song breathing pure sentiment to
the naughty chanson imported from
Partisan boulevards.
Look over the sales of the popular
songs Of the day and you will find that
far beyond all are the Sweet Naries,'
Annie Rooneys'' and the like which in
hOmely way have ideaIized some
gentler impulse of the heart.
It is the wise manager, in this land
at all events. who never forgets that
the masses are for the pure and good
in the main, that the most influential
of all theater-gOers are the women. in
whose hearts God has planted a strong
er and more steadfast aspiration for
sweetness and light than man in the
rough, sOiling tide of life can maintain.
That more and more of our managers
are becoming wise augurs well for the
extension Of the theater's influence in
an uplifting direction.