The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-01

ADJUSTMENTS.
Mr. Keating's Address In a Church
al SomeViIIo.
The Value Of Theatrical Performances Sthk-
lngy Presented. =

~ - a SiBHiuNdnl sign or the times
when In a church edifice. under the au-
spices OF one OF the social organizations
of the church. a gentleman identified
with the theatrical profession delivers
a lecture on The Benefits OF Amuse-
ments." and illustrates his themes not
only by stereopticon views OF famous
actors and actresses but by the per-
formance of actors brought directly
from the theater TO the church for the
purpose.
A few years ago such an occurrence
would have scanda---ed the community,
yet it actually took place Somerville.
a suburb of Boston. a few days ago,
where in the Third church Mr.. NJ. ].
keating addressed large and highly
cultured audience OF church people up
on the theme nam above.
There is an appetite in every hu-
man being TO seek amusement OF some
kind" SAID the speaker, "and IL Is the
mission OF the theater 10 satisfy it, IL
IL is done cleanly and morally, IL is
helpful, and becomes valuable aid to
the church.
THE stage is helpful when 1t shows
life as IL really is through such plays
as lHe l-llllc MlHlsleF, oll t1OIleSledQ
shore Acres, and others on the dra-
matte stage, and the majority of acts
in the vaudeville.
Properly regulated amusement is
helpful, because IL does not interfere
with business, the home life, education
or virtue, but on the contrary, advance
es them all. 1t helps in the temperance
cause, too, for man can not be in a
saloon and the playhouse at the same
time; hence, il must tend to sObriety,
and that means happier homes and
larger church attendance. AS an edu-
cational factor, the stage has been OF
almost inestimable value, and that pa
triotism was largely indebted to IL was
clearly proven during the recent un-
pleasantness with Spain"
Immoral plays, he said, were not so
numerous as most people thought; the
trouble was that one of them attracted
more attention and caused more COM
ment than 100 good ones. A bad play
was advertised by ministers, critics and
every one else who attacked IL. If they
all left the bad play alone, Ii would die
quickly-fail because of lack of adver-
tising.
Continuing. he said: 81 don't believe
reputable managers have any desire to
produce 'off-color' plays; very many OF
them, indeed, testify to the contrary.
But If they do. and il proves successful,
who is really responsible? The theater-
going public. Two classes OF the latter
could speedily settle ihe whole matter
IL they willed: Those who do not go
(but shouII) to meritorious perform
ances. and those who go 10 see repre-
hensible productions in preference TO
patronizing the good"
Mr~Keating spoke at some length
on the vaudeville form of entertain
ment. which he said he knew more
about than any other. He claimed that
in IL was founl the stimulant OF pure
fun that caused doctors to advise their
patients 10 go and good wives their
overworked husbands and an hour or
two spent in such an amusement resort
as Keith's was better than barrel of
patent medicine. THE vaudeville stage
is the one OF all others that has done
the most for us when IL has made us
happy in our own power 10 laugh at
good and clean things"
Some variety" theaters, Mr. Keat-
ing thought, would be closed up if the
laws already on the statute books were
properly enforced There was no reason
in the world. because they were cheap,
that they must necessarily be nasty.
Moral and physical cleanliness were the
foundation stones OF b +. Keiths sue
cess. Vaudeville might not be legiti-
mate art, but ii furnished legitimate
enjoyment in greater proportion than
anything else, and was consequently
more helpful.
Mr. Heating closed by telling his au-
dience that ii was i'm their power to
make amusement serve the good OF
public morality. which would add TO it's
helpfulness,, and he showed on the
screen the faces OF several Of the best
class OF entertainers seen in such vau-
deville theaters as Keit IS. briefly ex-
planning their line of entertainment and
mode Of life.
Then followed an hours entertain
ment, contributed by artists from
Keith's theater.