The times., 1900-03-07
Fnth ON the stage.

The disturbance over the production Of
"SaphO" in New York has finally cuImi-
mated in its suppression. The managers
were notified on Monday night that the
police would take action if there was any
sttempt to put the play on; and it was not
put on.
This incident in significant in the his
tory OF the drama in New York, and pos
sibly in that Of American plays. Il proves
that play can be so Objectionable to the
moral sense Of the community that its
production viii be forbidden, though it
be given in a theatre known as frst-class
and by actors Of undoubted ability. II has
seemed TO many lovers Of the drama dur
ing ;he last year or two that there was abb
solutely no limit to the audaoity of IN
scrupulous managers and the federation Of
the public. and if the Nethersole incident
proves that there is. it will be a very use
full precedent Apparently. there is a
point at which the law Will interfere with
salacious productions and when 1t does. Il
appears that the managers will not press
the point so far as to create an open and
sensational scene For these things. at
any rate people OF decent instincts can
be thankful.
Il may be contendeG that "Sapho" Is no
worse than dozen other plays which have
been given in the last two years without
police interference. That, as Washington
has reason to know, Is true. 1t only
proves, however that there was an i'm
peratiye need for protest, and that tie
protest should have included all the plays
Of this class instead OF only one. We have
had quite enough OF indecency on the
stage. whether in the form Of mere sug-
gestiveness or out and out impurity OF mo-
tive: and 1t is emphatically time to call q
halt Several Of the plays which are now
polluting the stage OF New York with their
malodorous atmosphere had their first trial
here-the audience also enduring trial IL
may be added-and after they have s,aid
as long as possible in New York they VIII
be sent on the road. Therefore Washing
ton. and all the other cities IN the country.
have an interest in this "Sapho" affair
and it is probable that the action Of TIE
New York police viii be in some sort a
precedent for the authorities OF o.her
towns.
The public has a responsibility in this
matter. the managers claim. That is quite
true. II has also rights. The theatre
going people of this country have shown,
in no uncertain fashion. that they approve
~ clean. wholesome. welI-scted plays. and
.gill support them in every possible way.
The majority Of the record breaking pro-
ducuons for the last three years have been
clean ones. But there is. unfortunately.
another element which makes up the audi
ence 81 such play as ''sapho." II has had
50 great an influence OF late upon the plans
and actions OF theatrical managers that
they seem TO have fallen into the error Of
thinking il the only element worth catering
10. and we have actually come 10 the point
where respectable people can hardly 20 60
see new play with the certainty that they
win witness nothing offensive Two or
three productions OF this season were ad-
vertised as pure comedy. without any sug-
gestive element. when, as a matter OF
fact. there was not much in them that Nas
not suggestive, and the respectable citizen,
who. believing the advertisement, took his