The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-03
THE SCRUBBED DRAMA,
History of an Attempt to Regenernte The
atricals In n Southern Town.


Theatrcals in the South are at standstill
Just now. but preparations are under way for
unusual ventures next fall. The circuit be-
ginning with New Orleans on the West and
running around tho coast. touching interior
points as far up the country as Knoxville and
Chattanooga. will try to play better things
than repertoire opera" at 10. 20 and 30 cents.
This is not tho first time that efforts have
been made to regenerate theatricals in the
South They tell a story at New Orleans OF
how n well known Gulf Coast manager per-
mitted himself to drift into a certain form OF
pretentiousness that interfered with his bust
ness. He had gone to New York to book
attractions. leaving the house in charge OF his
assistant. One summer day when tho assist
ant was oling lazily about the shady side Of
things. a somewhat energetic scrubwoman
came along.
"Look-a- heah" she exclaimed. KANT
you all let me hev Job scrubbin' out yo'
theayter?"
The assistant woke up. Why wouldn't 1t be
a good idea to clean things up a bit and sur
prise the old man ? He thought it over. got
proposition for the work and finally effected
an arrangement. The place had not been
scrubbed for five years. In the corners dirt
had accumulated and become caked. the
brooms OF the occasional swespers packing it
in due time. and tho results were viewed by
the assistant manager with some pride. When
the real manager returned he locke ed the place
over with critical eye. but. to the mortiflca-
ton Of his assistant. he failed to show enthu-
sinsm
said. The people like the old place lust aa 1t
IS. and I'm not sure that they'll like to see us
putting on airs
The assistant was broken hearted, but he
looked forward with hope to the time when his
enterprise would receive the indo-sement Of
the public Word went around that there had
been shaking up at the opera house, that the
rGreroire c"mpany sang The " Daugh au' Of
the Regiment - 10 one Of the largest audiences
cnce indeed. had never before assem- bled in
the town, for II was thing OF beauty as to
toilets. The manager felt thrill Of pride
ind the assistant was overIoyed They drank
a bottle OF Az after the performance and con-
gratul ated each other.
that certain clement OF regular patrons was
not pg"Sept The m4naGcr observed the fall:
After while he sought out one OF his forme..
,ho See her. he said, why don't you to
You're putting on too much style up there"
sail 1.-The the customer I2 .,..
first time in seven years"
-, Wasn't the old place good enough before?"
on, yns,' the manager said. doubtfully
but 4 little soap and water won't hurt no.
body"
=. :, That amt Just it," the patron went on.
You see, before your clean up. every body
men and women-wcnt lust as they werc-no
got all your seats and floor clean. some ~ 'em
got into fine things Just to show of My folks
don't happen 10 be as well fixed in silks and
satins as some others. SO they Just stay at
home, And mine amt the only ones"
The manager gasprd. Here" he said
night. and when you come everything II be ali
rlGht,,-,a right. dye hear? Just as it used
to be" - ~
And it was Tho manager scattered dust
about the place. He rubbed charcoal on the
walls and permitted bits OF rubbish to gather
night he saw some spoiled fnery. and he heard
its wearers say tnat they'd nevor wear their
good clothes to another show. But it was ali
right Business picked up and tho assistant
manager resigned