New-York tribune., 1900-01-24

IT WILL ENDEAvoR TO STOP SUNDAY PERFORM
ANCEs-A MASS MEETING SOON TO BE HELD
Under the auspices of the Actors Church Alliance
interesting movement has been started in the
Eastern District, in which and church
members who are not actors are allied for ''the
publication of the stage. the creation of a proper
sentiment in regard TO the drama and incidentally
the stopping of Sunday performances. The Alliance
was organized about two 60 and recently the
Rev Gilbert A. Shaw, pastor of the England
Congregational Church. and the Rev. Howard VIII
Dur Ennis visited the Amphion. Gayety, Novelty,
Empire and Unique theatres. in the Eastern Dis
trict, and left calendars cards announcing the
purposes OF the alliance In addition 10 the names
OF the clergymen mentioned. the cards bore the
names Of the Rev. Sidney Herbert Cox pastor of
the Lee Avenue Congregational Church. and the
Rev DR.. James Henry Darlington rector of Christ
Church Bedford-ave
The Rev Mr. Ennis said yesterday that he and
MI Shaw went to the theatres in the Eastern Dis
trlct the other evening. and with the of
the managers left the cards in the greenrooms 50
that if members of any companies were left behind
on account of illness or other reasons. were in
a friend or help in any form. t3ey could send word
ana they would be assisted in any way possible.
Mr.. Ennis said the Alliance was opposed Sunday
performances and that it had been learned that the
tn Rey Of managers were also opposed
BY invoking the law" Mr., Ennis continued.
I'VE can compel the theatres TO close the Sab
bath, but We should much prefer TO have the clos
ING enureIy voluntary on the part OF the managers
Every courtesy has been extended to us by the
managers, and VIC are willing to afford them every
facility TO cooperate with the Alliance
"A mass meeting will be held in the
phon Theatre in the interests of the organization.
There will be addresses by the clergymen who
members Of the Alliance, and music by their re-
spective church choirs 1 interested personally
IN doing what can for actors and actresses. and
for some time in Washington was more or less
active in the work. believe that the better class
OF the theatrical profession will gladly cooperate
with and that the matter only needs be pre-
sented 10 the public to have them ndorse the
ment.
Moral plays have been the only PLAYS that have
been financial successes. Notwithstanding the pop
ular opinion to the contrary immoral plays have
not been such financial successes as those that are
pure. And believe that If the public and church
members will show their appreciation of the honest
efforts OF the managers who in earnest in their
efforts TO present clean productions and thereby
employ the stage the disseminator of purity and
the teacher Of morals, then the theatres will gladly
meet them more than half way.
Then, again, the reflex action of the production
OF an immoral play on the actor or actress is an
important factor in the matter. We help the
drarnai &c profession by requiring. by indorsng and
by patronizing plays that pure. and by boycott
ting plays that hideous The actors themselves
would prefer TO play manly womany parts and
II is not their choice, and they blame for
the degrading productions on the boards