New-York tribune., 1900-12-09
LONDON DRAMA.
oentInuea from nrst page.

pressions of discomfort from the gallery. These
discordant notes enabled Mrs. Craigies frienos
10 rally 10 her support and 10 obtain for her
a cordial reception when she was brought FOR
ward by Mr. Alexander. In response 10 another
call Mr. Alexander made candid II somewhat
snfelicitous speech y thank" he said. that
portion of the audience which has shown ap-
proval OF this play. As for the party OF gentle
men who occupy a portion OF the gallery on first
niehss I can only say actor and as
manager that as there is no rose without
thorn, 50 there seems 10 be no first night with
out boo" The objectors. who had formed
small minority Il the audience were greatly
arrstated by this onslaught. They showed their
.displeasure by grOanng and booing and angry
shouts OF NO speeches. Their voices were
finally silenced with hearty applause for the
play, and Nr Alexander had the satisfaction OF
knowing that he had spoken his mind and car
NED the stalls with him.
Booing marks the revival OF IN old heartrend-
ing custom. OF which Charles Lamb has given
pathetic as well as humorous account For
long period new plays were not damned by audi
ences but during the last year the galleries nave
trequently made their dissent heard on open
ing nights Fortunate. indeed. is the playwright
whose work now escapes the ordeal or nrst
night without a single boo In the old times
klays were staged with comparatively little ex-
lpense for short runs and the loss involved by
an unsuccessful production trivial The
times have changed. and every new play now
represents a great investment OF capital In cos
tunes scenery and accessories The actor-man-
aeer who risks a large outlay in the produc-
ton OF a new piece can hardly be expected 10
Sisten without resentment TO contemptuous out
cries from the galleries at the fan OF the cur
tain especially when these expressions OF dis
bK d reflection
and are often the outcome either Of caprice or OF
enmity The rumor OF a mixed reception or
applause and Kisses when printed the next
morning may outweigh full column OF judicious
and careful criticism Mr.. Alexander may Wen
he hardened for showing some feeling on this
opening night especially as the balance OF pub
sic opinion was largely on his side. Something
however. is TO be said in favor OF the right OF
the audience which witnesses the earliest pro-
duction Of a new work 10 give expression 10 It's
opinion. The censor only protects the pubic
against assaults upon religion and against al
fronts 10 foreign sovereigns and governments
The interests OF public morality are left TO shirt
for themselves and the dramatic notices OF un-
wholesome and unsavory works like MT. anu
Mrs Daventry" prove that the critics cannot
be depended upon 10 keep the atmosphere OF 'he
stage pure ana clean. II would be public
misfortune II the galleries had not some voice In
deciding upon the merits of new plays
Sir Henry Irving has found leisure during his
successful provincial tour 10 answer seVeral
homilies directed against the stage. In the
course OF a felicitous speech delivered at Glas-
gov ne took up several theological issues from
the Scotch pulpit, without presuming to oner
an orthodox opinion upon them. He also trav-
ersed a Wesleyan argument that the playgoer'
20 be safe needs a strong head. and that there
are so many weak noodles that the real Chris
tian must shun the theatre. If not for his own
sake for the sake Of his weaker brethren. He
asked what would become Of the world II a man
were 20 undertake no business or pleasure until
he had first assured himself that under no con-
dition could the same enterprise. perfectly wise
and prudent for himself. upset the moral bal
ance Of some fellow creature unequally endowed
with stability and good sense. Sir Henry de-
scribed the drama as an indispensable express
sion OF the human spiTit-'the broad mirror Of
human nature, rejecting the moods and pas
sions and problems Of society in all ages. and
the ideals that uplifted depressed by the
ambitions Of which they the instrument"
II hardly necessary for the great actor TO
repe certain slanders against his profession for
which narrow minded, IL sincere, preachers have
recently been responsible. So long he re-
mains the leader and highest representative OF
the art OF acting, the theatre requires de-
fence against sensational and wanton assaults
J. n. f.