The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1898-04-20
INSIDE THE THEATER.
Customs at the German Plays Unlike Thos
of American Audiences.

Customs at the German Plays Unlike Those
of American Audiences.
The audiences that gather at the Ger
man theater in Irving place are unlike
those seen ut any other playhouse in
town. During the recent engagement Of
Agnes Sorma there, the audiences were
exceptionally large and offered strik-
ing illustration of tho difference be-
tween them and the gatherings i'll the
thoaters devoted TO English plays. The
quiet of tho spectators is tho first no.
ticeable difference. Nobody speaks
even quietly to his neighbor without
leaning over so closely to him that tho
sound could not possibly disturb any
body else. Even then the whisperer Is
likely to be reminded by rebuke from
In front or behind The slightest noise
interrupts tho course of the spectators
enjoyment and that is something which
will not be tolerated by the serious play
goers of the German theater. The only
talking they propose to hear is that Of
the actors ON tho stage. Applause very
rarely comes until tho close of the act.
Then, If tho performance DO worthy, the
acknowledgement il unrestrainedly cor
dial Laughter at the funny points Of u
farce is never repressed. That indul
genco Is unrestrained. In comic opera
the applause IL quite rs common as it
is ut tho other theaters, and the audi
ences like enoores quite rs much as those
who hear thom in English.
II Is in the quiet moments Of u seri-
GUS play, however, especially when tho
scene lends to an exciting climax, that
the mood Of the audience is most char
noteristic. Then from tho orchestra
seats to tho crowded gallery the speeta
tors are intensely absorbed in every
movement and every word of tho actors.
When tho climax has come and this
tonson is released it can be immedi-
ately felt. although there is no applause
or any audible outbreak The feeling
runs through the house and the emo
tions are relaxed. But the customary
relief il not expressed as il usually is in
other theaters by applause. That must
wait until the curtain falls.
Like all German theaters the world
over, tho Irving Place il dreadfully
overheated. Fresh air il all very we'll
when ono sits i'm freien, hut indoors ev
erything must bo appropriately stuffy
| and hot. So tho German theater i'll New
York frequently becomes distressingly
warm. But the regular audiences do not
appear to object to 1t. Many Of the men
| leave the theater between the acts and
smoke In the lobby. more, possibly, than
| would usually be found in an American
audience. Some of the women occasion
ally retire to the lobby, but the number
of those who follow the example of the
men il small Possibly il tho theater
had IA foyer IA large ~ those in Europe
tho audience would retire just rs those
In Germany do. But that custom has
never become popular here, and there is
tho added attraction Of an orchestra to
keep tho audience seated between the
acts. Very few of the continental thea
ters have orchestras.
The ooakroom system exists to u
greater extent in tho German theater
than il does at any other place excepting
tho Metropolitan. Cloaks and hats are
deposited ut tho garderobe with regu-
larity, and tho men as we'll as the wom-
en- are patrons of this branch Of the
theater. Tho rule about hats il quail
flied one Tho management asks only
that those hats which interfere with the
Wow of persons behind shall be remov
cd. Others ara not forbidden. Few are
worn, however, and it il interesting to
SEQ tho size Of those that are retained.
They may not be triumphs of millinery.
but they show that women sometimes
think of other things than beauty or
fashion when they get IL hat-that they
think, in fact. Of the persons who may
sit in the row behind them at the thea
ter New York Sun.