The times., 1899-10-15

less matter On the stage than anything
else The Times wishes to- array itself
with the roof gardener of month ago,
with the bibulous box party of the Vic
toria and even with the conscientious club
man, who undoubtedly thought that he was
acting for the best. Several rows of In
cisors and a goodly use of air power COM
bine to make weapon that, handled with
discretion and feariessness, should soon
supersede the crude cabbage and tomato
method in vogue at Schenectady.
The playgoer has other rights and privi-
Ieges that are naenaced by arrogant mana
gers. who seem TO feel that the payment OF
the prices asked Tor seats gives the buyer
only his choice between obedience and
homegoing. TWO weeks ago. at the Grand
Opera House in Philadelphia, gentleman
occupied prominent orchestra chair. He
appeared TO enjoy portion OF the per-
fermance, but evidently was not fayorably
impressed with the remainder When bored
he took refuge behind the folds OF news
paper. The sheet was kept before his faee
during the enactment Of Lillian Burkhart's
sketch, and Miss. Burkhart was greatly an
noyed. In the course OF a speech, made in
response to curtain call she took occasion
to score the literary Individual in a manner
heartily enjoyed by every one in the the
atre except the hearer most concerned.
Subsequent developments proved that this
exception was one Of the proprietors OF the
| place and then there was trouble, spelled
| as May Irwin spelled it on her "The Swell
| Miss FitzwelP' programmes.
I With all due reference to Miss Burk-
| hart's opinions and considerable apprecia-
\ ton of her talents, it cannot be said Il at
| she was wholly in the right in this af-
4 flo -hn VI
read a paper during Lillian Burkhart' s
turn" is not man Of taste will be gen.
| e-ally admitted; that the fnancier of a
theatre who thus deeries his offerings Is
not polite may readily be seen. But, on
the other hand, there is no urgable reason
| why the person who has paid for comfort
! should not be allowed to make himself as
| comfortable as he might have been had
| he not paid. II the play seer finds his
| journal more agreeable than the entertain
| ment furnished he has a perfect right to
hide behind that journal. Undeniably,
| there are procedures more courteous and
| gentlemarIy than this. But it IS doubtful
| If the reader would ever have been noticed
had not attention been called to him, and
it is questionable whether Miss Burkhart' E
speech was not as diseourteous and un-
| gentlemanly as It's provoker. True, the
method of rebuke is one that has been
| given a certain sFOBut Dl JNila m hAOI ohN
Richard Mansfield, but this fact cannot be
urged in extenuation. Two wrongs dc
not eaualize matters in the least. A man
has. or should have, as much freedom to
show his boorishness in theatre as he
has in a street car or anywhere else.
Speaking of players who deserve eensure
and of New York and OF other things one
is reminded of the warfare being carried
| I al and I Ill
| Han Russell The celebrity first named
is suing the one last mentioned for g
large sum. said sum alleged to be due
as damages for a broken contract. Since
the breach occurred in Washington the
case may be of more than passing inter
est to Washingtonians.
briefly stated Mr.. Lederer's charge i:
that Miss Russell, after engaging herself
to sing in his companies for stipulated
period, deliberately and with malice afore-
thought quilted his service while appear
ing at the Lafayette Square Opera House
The one weak point in the impressario'
petition seems to be the malice afore-
thought" clause Those who saw Mis-.
Russell at any one of her seven appear
anees in this city win agree that ths
malice aforethought'' might have beer
urged with more justice had the -Ameri'
can diva" remained with the combination
In Washington the prima donna gave wha
was undoubtedly the most unique exhibi
ton of carelessness both Of the public an(
| of her employer, ever seen In a first-clas!
theatre. Her work was absolutely with
out merit after the opening on Monday
night. Miss Russell sang slouchily, acteC
without the faintest spirit. and indulget
in an unlimited amount of what is tech
nically, if slangily, known as 'guying.'
This was particularly notable on the even
ings of the Benning races, which wer,
then in progress. After visiting the tract
she returned to her labors with such i'll
| will that her manner was positive insul
10 her audiences. The Times commented OF
this fact once during the week and onci
on the following Sunday. Miss Russell.
il said. lis responsible for the absolut,
| worthlessness of the rendering given Ia
| Belle Helene.
The writer does not profess to be &C
quainted with the difficulties and quarrels
| that may have led up to this state o
affairs. but be does know that. whatever
| they may have been. the stars conduc
Fl was neither fair to Mr.. Lederer nor Il
| those who attended his performances
World WEAKNESS is an accomplishment