Omaha daily bee., 1900-02-04

Boyd-"A Wise Woman 60 and s.lj.
orpheum-vaudeyille- 80 80 and Sis.
The theaters have offered little or prae-
tically nothing new in the line OF amuse-
ment during the last week.
At the legitimate house two plays, both
seen here before. we're given crcditable
presentations by companies which averaged
fairly good throughout.
At the vaudeville theater the conventional
song and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS atif
bill served as the Offering.
For the week opening today little more is
promised. although some vaudeville acts TO
he seen that have been presented here be-
fore are known to possess more or less
merit. In a legitimate way but one play ls
to be given. and that this evening. For IN
balance Of the week. with the exception OF
one night. which has been set aside Tor a
private theatrical performance by a COM
ranv imported by one OF Omaha's social
leaders. there is to be an exhibition OF NOV
ing pictures Of one Of the recent fstic en-
counters which took place in New York
City. Truly not a very promising outlook.
This communication. received last week,
will explain the letter addressed to the
manager Of one OF the plays seen at Boyd $
theatsr during the last week, which follows.
OMAHA. Jan. 3l.-To the Dramatic Ed
tor Of The Bee: The enclosed IS a copy OF
a as, ie,ler sent I'm Ne 10 York l2G "t Company, which
truly represents the sentiment OF many VINO
had the misfortune to see the play. IL IS
TO be deplored that there Is So muHh In
our shows" that Is vulgar and offensive,
and I realize that our faiihtul recorders
OF events Of the day-the newspapers-can
do much toward discouraging the reproduc-
ton of the class of wit referred 20 IN my
letter. That is why | send you ms Spy
Yours fraternally, +. A
OMAHA. Jan. 9.-To the Manager
stranger in New York" Company. Boyd's
Theater. Dear Sir: As one who believes
in virtue in women was deeply paihtd
interpolate some Jokes on women last
night. They were an insult to every good
woman in the house and their husbands
as well. While the less developed laughed,
I could notice expressions of disgust in the
faces of many. L. is because the more
refined among men and women tear lust
such things in plays of the kind with
which you are now entertaining the theater-
Roers Of Omaha, that they often hesitate
TO patronize them, and II seems to me that
1t would be to your advantage to avoid
giving offense OF this kind, and also leave
testing on religious subjects alone. The jest
on the drowning Moses also gave
ofense to quite a few. And l am not a
Churchman. l am a man Of the world who
appreciates a good Joke. But do not let
play should entertain. 1t should also
educate by UNFOLDING all that is good in
human Ilhlhl's HHb ~ SlNFS All' 50 ~
great satisfaction when ] see a noble
sentiment expressed on the stage and hear
the generous applause which always fol,
lows IT. 1t proves that after all the good
in human nature Is more enduring and will
always appeal more strongly to all men.
This is said IN the spirit of love and good
fellowship and not in condemnation,
Yours sincerely, 2. BRAUN
Mr.. Braun's letter is one Of many re.
ceived annually, protesting against the vul.
gar play and vulgarity upon the stage
There seems to be but two ways to proven.
these evils which, the writer is sorry t
say, exist today to a greater extent thar
ever in the history Of the American stage
or drama.
First, there might be a play censor il
America the same as in several Of the Eu
ropean countries, with duties to see tina.
no play that is vulgar or suggestive in any
way is issued the necessary license.
Second, the public might not encourage tn,
presentation of vulgar plays by patronizinl
them more literally than it does the more
modest ones, which is invariably the case
II vulgar plays were not patronized they
would not exist. The newspapers, as Mr.
Braun says, are faithful recorders Of tn,
events of the day and The Bee makes it
point TO warn The Bees readers when
vulgar play is presented at any of the the,
dIeIs. II Is not always dDle 10 10 l1lS II
advance OF the coming of such plays, since
every advance agent represents the play h
is ahead of to be strictly moral and tn,
best OF it's kind on the road. Unfortunatel,
The newspaper criticism often seems to hav,
the opposite effect upon the public, for il I
noticeable that when a play is stigmatized as
vulgar and unfit for respectable people L
witness. it fills the house the next nigh
with people, some curious TO see just how la
the play is, and with others who would rathel
see vulgarity than decenCy. Until criticism
OF this class OF plays have the right effect
the newspapers can do little toward purify,
ing the drama and the less they print abou.
suggestive plays the better.
Speaking Of suggestive plays and v~ulgarit.
upon the stage here Is a very interesting an,
POINTED editorial which recently appeared il
the New York Journal about one OF Amer
teas best,-loyed actresses who did not gall
the regard of thousands Of theater-goers al
over the country by appearing in vulga
plays. What a pity it is that all actressel
are not like her, and what a pity it is tina
Omaha theater-goers will not have the op,
portunity CT seeing her this season:
Miss Maud Adams appears in New Yorl
once more as the Young girl of good char
acter and good morals in THE Little Min
iStgr.
We ask actors, actresses, managers an,
the public to observe the following facts:
Miss Adams does not have to repeat OF
the stage lines that she would be ASHAMED
to reCite I'm private lifp.
She does not deDend FOR her success ol
stockings or underskirts or immodesty.
She does not earn "A living by pandcrtni
to indeCcnCy.
Very simply and naturally she plays a
a good girl the part Of a good girl. Sh,
teaches that true affection Is more roman
tic. more satisfying and far more attractive
than moral disease with red skirts for ar
accessory and broilci Holsters FIR a fouuda
ton.
she says: - think l can please AmerI
can men and women by vlaying on IN,
stage such a part as Is played by lovaolt
Ei-iH o. real life.
Miss Adams theater Is packed. Men ar,
women are glad that they took their daugh
tiers there. They go again and again.
Actors, actresses. stage pandCrS an,
cynical public-will YOU please notice tina
dcccncy also rays
The private theatrical entertainment t
be given by Mr.. f, A. Nash in hou-r OF hi
niece. Miss Alkaline Nash, az Boyd's thCate
Tuesday of this week promises to be a dc
cided social innovation as we'll as . dramati
treat 10 these fortunate enough TO receiy