The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-08-16
a rHEATRE patron whose disgust all

A THEATRE patron. whose disgust at
~ the cheap bids made for applause
by some actors through the use Of
vulgar expressions Is large and healthy,
has written some comment on the sub
ject for an eastern paper. In part he
says:
There is a growing tendency on the
part OF certain comedians in vaudeville
to the use of loose language, and the
sooner they realize that they ought to
check themselves the better it will be
for them and the profession in general.
Some time ago a prominent comedian
conceived the notion that IL was run
ny idea to say, What the -" omit
ting the final word, when he was sup
posed to be very angry with his part
ner. during the progress OF his sketch
This soon was initiated until 1t was
improved upon by another man, who
said, What the he, using the nrst
half of the important word. Managers
even Of houses in which extreme care
is used passed the expression, as the
audiences seemed to think it funny,
and the rank and file took it up. The
process of evolution was continued
few DAYS ago. when a comedian at one
of the local theatres, in the presence or
an audience made up largely of wo-
men and children, turned to one Of ms
associates and said: What the hell
IS the matter wild your And he got
such a laugh that he will probably con-
tinue to use the expression unless ne IS
stopped. Such things are to be eX-
pected in the burlesque houses, but IN
a theatre patronized by women and
children they should not be tolerated
After all, the performers are not 50
much TO blame as the public. Did you
L. Oh IN Ia
stage say damn" or hell" or any
thing of that character without eX-
citing laughter, and often applause?
There is nothing funny about swearing
either on or off the stage. but many
people who condemn the practice when
e is carried on in private, commend II,
mr. at least approve it, when they hear
II on the stage.
There is just one way by which the
cheap stage fool can be broken off his
habit. Cease to applaud him. It is
not necessary to hiss, although kissing
under such circumstances is justifiable-
Applause is the incense the actor likes
to breathe. Il intoxicates him, enliv-
ems him. spurs him on to greater
achievements. If he was not applauded
for swearing ne wouldn't swear, for the
only way i'm which a performer may
know whether or not his work is satis-
factory is made up OF demonstrations
of approval or the absence Of such
demonstrations.
And speaking of demonstrations Of
approval reminds US that the applause
plot of the average theatrical perform
ance seems to be considered of as much
Importance these days as the scene
plot. the property plot or any other
routine feature a notable illustration
Of this fact was given in Salt Lake last
week. The business manager of a COM
pany applauded and applauded and APP
piauded. He demanded a speech from
the star and he urged others around
him to demand speech. His enthu-
siasm was 50 contagious that at last
the star did make a little curtain talk.
Now this was all unnecessary and alb
surd. The company was good one
and IL furnished some enjoyable per-
formances, but the people didn't enjoy
the plays a bit more because OF the
thunderous property" applause that
greeted the close Of every act.
A theatrical man OF wide experience,
who was a Salt Lake visitor last week.
smiled broadly over the announcement
in a dramatic publication to the effect
that a certain production would cost
its promoters $4,000 before the curtain
was rung up on the first performance.
What a jolly lot of rot that is" he
said. I'D be willing to wager all of
my salary for the next year-and it
isn't all stage money either-that that
production won't cost over $4,000
don't believe it Will cost more than
$1,000.
Some theatrical men must think the
public is easily gulled. Do you know
YOU can buy a whole lot Of almost
anything for $1,000 these days? For
that amount Of money a bright man.
sger can stage a play and make the
costumes, scenery and props look as It
they had cost five times $1,000. The
gambling spirit is strong in the the
atrical business. but no manager Of
any brains at all is going to risk
$4,000 or an amount remotely aegprOXi-
mating it on a production that may not
run over four or FIVE performances.
So
The preliminary season at the Grand
opens tomorrow night with the wide
mann company in comedy repertoire
and vaudeville. The engagement via
run through the week with matinee;
ON Wednesday and Saturday. The adj
vance sale has been very satisfactory
The salt Lake theatre will be dark
throughout the weak. and probably IN
til the regular opening, Sept. >.