New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-07-04
CHILDREN IN THEATRES.
Speech by Sir Henry Irving at the Royal
Theatre, Drury Lane.

At Z meeting # theatrical managers at the The
atre Royal. Drury Lane under the presidency Of
Sir Henry Irving. 10 consider the provisions Of the
bill al present before Parliament, under the head
ing OF the Employment OF Children Bill" Sir
Henry Irving spoke as follows
You are all aware that the standing committee on
trade have rejected the clause proposed by Mr..
Cochrane which would have left the conditions OF
The employment Of children in theatres unaffected
BY the present bill Mr.. Cochrane proposed, in
short that the provisions Of the Act Of 1894 far
as they related 10 theatrical children, should re-
main undisturbed. The Act Of 1894 is entitled the
Prevention Of Cruelty TO Children Act" and am
not aware that anybody has produced a title Of
evidence 70 show that any child has been cruelty
treated in a theatre since that act was passed-or
before II. The bare idea is preposterous to US.
though nothing. Il seems, is too preposterous for
the Standing Committee on Trade One Of our
friends on that committee CMr. Galloway said he
was "astounded" to find how kindly the children
were treated at His Msjesty's Theatre by Mr.
Tree. At any rate. Mr.. Galloway's mind was re-
ueved that score. and he came to the conclusion
that the children engaged by Mr.. Tree for A Mid
summer Nights dream" were very fortunate
youngsters He found them perfectly happy, per
fsctly unconscious that employment in a theatre
vas devastating blight on their young lives.
But this practical testimony did not suit Sir John
Gorst He put Il down 10 the social influence Of
theatrical people He saw Mr.. Galloway yielding
70 Mr.. Trees balefuI fascinations.
Wei, Sir John Gorst, understand. is a member
Of the Drury Lane Lodge of Freemasons and yet
he has successfully resisted the seductive wiles Of
Arthur Collins who would have shown him, If he
nae laken the trouoe 10 inquire that the chlloren
employed IN a Drury Lane pantomime are just as
But you see that the majority Of the committee de-
lIberately shut their minds against inquiry Mr..
Nights Dream" or = Midwinter Nights Dream. .,
want is facts Teach these boys and girls nothing
hut facts Facts alone are wanted in life-"A Mid
rent to the Soul Of Mr. Broadburst But the facts
ere equally dis1astefuL Your Cradgrind does not
his own prejadioes ! see that T ". Russell said it
was InonstTous hat children Of seven and eight
years should appear on the stage for the amusement
OF the public. What IS really monstrous is that
rooted hostility 10 the theatre and gross ignorance
Of theatrical conditions should be permitted TO dis
tort the judgment Of a Parliamentary committee
that theatre bears 10 manner Of resemblance TO a
factory: Child life in theatre is not child labor
5ecre-fo 10 M le = ION +; d en- - ami Hin
for child q seven TO be a fairy in Shakespeare;
but the child of seven would not exchange that
dream Of JOY for al the gloomy pleasures that
that fairyland is the beginning OF professional
career need not give TO you the names of all the
Graded on the stage who shocked the T w. Rus
plhc the spectacle Of irresponsible childhood trip
Ask Marie Wilton Madge Robertson and Ellen
Terry whether they had terrible time during their
Ferseas Ike AiT. BToadhurst 70 save these little
Anoronedas from a Dragon Of stage manager!
pack . their earliest years the Impressions which
have been most valuable 10 their artistic develop
nent- Not that his alone woald not be a sufficient
argument for the employment Of children in the
aires i that employment interfered in any degree
with their general education. II II stunted their
physical growth. II II cast the gloom OF unconge-
1lal and unhealthy toll upon their young souls.
Elt everybody who has any knowledge of the
tnestre. and whose mind is free from and
Intolerance, knows that the employment Of chill
CIen procCces none OF these dire results The bill
helore Parliament ignores the real issue: il pro-
ceeos upon the assumption that a child Of seven
or eight suffers positive harm from work IN a the
alre whereas any experience shows the very
verse 70 be the truth And If. for the sake OF A
castiron uniformity this absurd interdict IS put
Llon sich employment a large number of poor
HlLe children Will be cut off from the chief 10y
=. lAe-r IL es-ban.shed from their faTyland TO the
ss[eet-and many a humble home VIII be impover-
1sLeo oy the loss Of the salaries cheerfuly,
38e-.s5aeeently earned by the small breadwinners.
-age5it-st such blundering legislation enter
- protest II VIII do manner of good
ttis cl-oren; II cannot give them any oppor-
81 a.. q education they DO not already possess
"a on securing 70 them measure Of COM
- alu happiness, Il will destroy both. and in
[.~5-.-.1L pNotectng their tender age against
Fvss4s y van deprive many Of them of the only
-. ..--et, nave n the world. To such children
49,, - truly home. school, and benev
e--i,s - L1l.on al IN one and the measure which
rTSst =. % 1nat character Will certainly be the
Ssols and callOus piece of folly that ever
N@-lTl llSeE an act OF rIfsrnepf