The sun., 1903-12-27
LONDON ENJOYS BOXING DAY.
TWENTY-FIVE PANTOMIMES PUT
on IN THE THEATRES.
No Decline In This FayOrite Form Of Enter
tainmcnt--Appeal by John Hare Tor
the. Serious Drama-LOndon's Great
Army OF Unemployed Growing.

the Serious Drama-LOndOn's Great
Army OF Unemployed Growing.
Special Gable Despatch 10 THE SUN
LONDON, Dec. $3.50 far "a weather Is
concerned London's Christmastide has done
something TO atone for the wettest year
in her history. The holiday season, which
this year lasts from Thursday unit! Monday,
has so far escaped rain, wind and snow.
To-day, Boxing Day, there has even been
some sunshine and seasonable temperature
for the thousands who waited hours outside
OF the theatres for the opening OF the panto-
mime season. Several specimens OF this
all pervading form OF the London en-
tertaipment commenced earlier in the week
and twenty-five such entertainments started
tonight. aladdin" "The Forty Thieves
and "Buebeard' furnished the themes
for most OF the plays. At the Drury Lane
the greatest pantomime producing theatre
in the world, ii is around the story OF
-Humpty Dumpty" that the gorgeous stage
pictures are built.
To hundreds Of thousands the best news
Of to-day is that the Cockney's own humor-
let, Dan Leno. has recovered from brain
trouble. which necessitated some months OF
seclusion, and that he is now able to perform,
Several theatres gave afternoon perform
ances Of plays of the Alice in Wonder
land" kind. which are played largely by
children Among the more popular feat
lures OF all these entertainments are inter-
polated tunes from New York successes.
Tho more serious dramatic world is very
anxious and pessimist tic over the capture
of theatre after theatre by iscellaneous
farce comedy and musical performances
Advocacy Of a national subsidy for the
drama, which has been hitherto confined
to a sn all minority OF enthusiasts, received
assistance yesterday from the universally
esteem ed comedian, John Hare, who pub
lished letter advocating subsidies for a
national theatre and for a conservatoire
where acting and elocution might be taught.
Mr.. Hare points out that from Temple Bar
to Charing Cross. which is the theatrical
centre OF London. there is not single house
which Is not devoted to pantomime or to
musical farce. He also points out that the
beautiful building designed by private
enterprise as the home Of English opera
dozen years ago has been converted into a
variety music hall. and the Lyceum Theatre,
which for twenty years has upheld the
most noble traditions, is to be relegated to
the same fate.
Mr. Hare is convinced that Government
or municipal support is the only thing
which will save "the English stage from
the abyss into which 1t Is falling He
says that London is already tainted with
an amount Of amateurishness which places
1t below the art istic level of the other great
capitals Of Europe. He adds that In his
young days If an actor was thought cap
able his capacity was not measured BY
his bearing or looks, but by sheer histrionic
ability, with the result that startling sue
cesses were made by men in parts which
under present conditions they never would
be allowed to play. He continues: TO
day the author or manager rarely shows
confidence in an actor because he can act
the part, but because he can look 1t; the
result is that we see the same actors. who
are often very clever actors, condemned to
a lifelong treadmill Of inane repetition"
Mr. Hare's indictment omts one salts
factory social feature of London's ap-
petite for frivolous diversion. Very few
saloons open their doors on Christmas
night, although the law permits 1t. With
out pressure from the authorities the public
houses seem to be closing in greater num-
bers every Christmas because the people
are spending their money at the theatres
and music halls.
Side by side with these mirthmakers
stand the great army Of unfed and idle
artisans who are merging into the multi
t,de OF chronic paupers. The number OF
people this Christmas season whom Lon
don hc,Iseholders are maintaining from
their local taxes approximates 1l5,O00,
which is the greatest total since 1871, A
special feature Of the situation is the altered
feeling Of the poor toward the workhouses
to which they used to resent going.
This year $4,000 are receiving indoor relief
in public institutions, which Is q vast in
crease. There ia a slight decrease in the
number Of outdoor paupers that In, persons
allowed to fetch food from workhouses
and consume 1t in their own homes. The
increased comforts OF the workhouse and
the slack administ ration Of the Poor law
are blamed a. much as bad trade for the
growth Of pauperism.