The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-27
WOMEN ON THE STAGE
TEXT OF CLEMENT SCOTS SAVAGE
INDICTMENT OF ACTRESSES.
Alleged Libel ny the Dramatic Critic
of "a London Paper That Has Caused
storm of Protests.

and prominent theatrical people are reply
ing to the indictment in warm words. A
cable dispatch from London, copyrighted
by the Press Publishing Company, says: Sir
Edward Lawson, proprietor of the Daily
Telegraph, has been urged by influential
theatrical people to dispense with Mr..
SCOTS services as dramatic critic. on the
ground that his convictions, as expressed
in the Great Thoughts" interview, unfit
him for the fair performance of his duties
as critic and make further relations be-
tween him and the theatrical profession
practically impossible.
Although Clement Scott's position on the
Telegraph has undoubtedly been seriously
damaged by his indiscreton, the corre-
spondent can deny, both on Scott's au-
thority and that of the proprietor of the
Daily Telegraph. that his services for that
journal have been discontinued. The re-
markable fact is that, even IN the PROCESSION
itself, the substantial truth of Mr. Scotts
statement is admitted by many actresses,
although they dare not for obvious reasons
say so over their own signatures These,
however, are the unsuccessful ones, who at
tribute their continuous occupation of the
back seat in their profession TO the causes
recounted by Mr.. Scott
Actors and managers, on the other hand,
fiercely resent the gross imputation made
upon them of Matchmaking methods. Indi-
vidual examples may be mentioned, they
admit, but they claim that their dealings
with actresses, as a rule, are perfectly hon
orable as between employer and employee.
TEXT OF THE INTERVIEW.
Through the courtesy of the editor of
''Great Thoughts" the correspondent is able
to send the text of the interview. which
willrnot be published until Jan. 1. 1t reads:
IF any one 1 loved insisted upon going on
the stage contrary to my advice, should
be terrified for her future, hopeless for the
endurance of our affection, even
friendship. For stage life, according to my
experience, has tendency to deaden the
finer feelings and crush the inner nature
of men and women, to substitute artificial
ity and hollowness for sincerity and truth.
Il speak from intimate experience with
the stage, extending over thirty-seven
years. OF course l refer now to the inner
life of the theater, that which goes on be-
hind the scenes.
''In dealing with this inner life leave out
all reference to what may term the the
atrical families of the stage-those we'll
known people of generations of play7actors.
They are like doctors and artists, to whom
the whole thing is matter of training for
the profession. They either do not notice
or are tInat1ect by what, perhaps, comes
as a shock II the novice.
Il speak, rather, of and to the hundreds
of young people, especially of the opposite
sex. who have an unhealthy craving for
matters theatrical
1T is really impossible for a woman to
main pure who adopts the sage as a pro-
fesbon. Everything is against her. The
freedom of life, speech ana gesture which is
the rule behind the Ttan render 1t almost
impossible tor wous-. n TO preserve the SIM
plicity of manner which is her greatest
charm. Her whole life is artificial and I'M
natural to the last degree. Therefore it is
an unhealthy life to live.
But there are far more serious evils to
be encountered than these. The drawbacks
mentioned are things that render 1T impos-
sble for a lady to remain lady. But what
is infinitely more to be deplored is that
woman who endeavors to keep her purity is
almost of necessity, foredooned to failure
in her career.
1T is an awful thing to say. but no one
who knows the life of the green room VIII
dare to deny 1t.
More need not say. 1 could give chap
ter and verse for my authority by the doz'
ing. All that / can say is that l marvel
at any mother who allows her daughter to
take up a theatrical career.
Still more am l astounded that any man
should calmly endure his wife to become
an actress, unaccompanied py himself. He
must be either a fool or a knave.
Nor do l see how any woman is to es
cape contamination in one form or another.
Temptation surrounds her in every shape
depend upon nature-and the extent of her
compliance, and, after all, human nature is
very weak.
PURE LIFE NOT POSSIBLE.
'Two things 1 want to be made clear:
First-That it is quite possible to lead a
good life on the stage. Thousands of people
do. Miss Blank, for instance. is as good
woman as ever lived. But the fact that
many people do lead good lives does not
remove the great temptations from their
weaker brethren. Second-That / am not
a canting prig, or Pharisee, who makes
broad his phylacteries. Thank God 1 am as
other men are. The temptations of the
stage have been quite as bad for me as for
any one else, If not more. 1t would dis
order any life. shipwreck any temperament,
however religious, to have your whole mind
devoted to snowy and alluring things for
thirty-SeVen years.
THE worst of the theatrical profession is
that it induces vain and egotistical ideas in
all of us to degree scarcely credited by an
outsider. Actors, and very particularly ac-
tresses, cannot bear a word of dispraise.
You may lie in praise of an actress until
your very soul is blackened, but once trem-
BILE in the confines of veracity, and your
life is a burden to you from that hour.
hundred during the past thirty years, full
Of the foulest abuse, which bear the names
of some of the best-known theatrical peo-
pie of the day. How l could be revenged
if l we're to publish them. But it only goes
to prove the truthfulnesS of what l say
that no ScnOOl on eaftn Is so Dau 1Of the
formation of character. or so readily.
quickly and inevitably draws out all the
worst in a man or a woman as the stage.
And | think the English stage is the
worst; for as matter of fact, the English
are the least artificial people and are more
completely without the saving grace of
humor than any nation in the world, and so
the more readily make themselves ridicu-
lous."
Asked mis- opinion of religious missions
for the benefit OF the theatrical profession
Mr. Scott said: Il am sorry that one has to
utterly condemn all hope of union between
religion and the stage; but as things stand
IL is ridiculous to even suggest such
thing. Many of our abest actors and ac
tresses would be only too glad If il were
possible to bring about such a union, but
they one and all recognize the hopelesSness
of making the attempt. Not even the
Church and Stage Guild will ever bring 1t
about.
What / have said will probably give
great offense to certain people, but they
are just the people | should not care about
in the least: and, after ALL no one will put
the cap on unless 1t fits. If they do find that
il fits they will at least have the good
worldly sense TO keep such a fact to them
selves.
Il, as q man of the world. agree with the
Puritan party, that religion and the stage
have nothing in common. Indeed, l go fur
! Their and say that the one would weaken
the other.
THE stage is of the earth earthly, and
very earthly. The church is spiritual. or is
supposed to be. No one in his senses really
believed the church influences the stage,
while IL is patent to the most casual
locker that a union would not in the least
benefit the church.
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