The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-04-05

GOOD deal has been said in this
u department about the so-called
a problem plays and their effect on
the people who see them. There is no
question about the evil influence of
nroductions OF the Camille ''Zaza,
"The Second Mrs. TanQueray' type
and others that salt Lake has
seen This. season. Neither IS there any
question about their prohtableness.
Unfortunately. too many theatrical
managers are in the business purely
TO make money.
Now that is a not unworthy am
bitlou. but the manager whose soie
object is to- make money is as un-
worthy as the employee who works oniy
flo, his salary. A hopeful sign or the
times is larld i'm thu his business
which Is being done by the legitimate
productions. 1t indicates that the the
atricaI public is returning TO its nrsI
love-the pure, unalloyed. unmis'aA-
ably great drama.
And I'm this connection a short con-
tributou from the pen of FREDERICK
NVarde 20 the Chicago Inter Ocean VIII
he aDropos. Mr.. Warde writes:
Although the elementary principles
of human nature are, and have Deen'
the same the world over tempefa-
ment and taste among the Inhabitants
of our large cities are as diversified
ass their complexIous-develo ac-
r0rdine TO their capacity by study
conditions and environment. hence
the necessity Of almost every sort or
entertainment for their amusement anu
recreatian-frOm the classic drama 10
negro ragtIme. Again, the nervous
strain of the strenuous life Of today
demands relief in light and frivolous
amusements that do not tax the meh-
tai faculties, yet divert the nina.
'sThese conditions justify the exist
ence Of so many phases OF dramatic
entertainment but the parent trunk
from which these branches spring and
flourish with more or less credit is the
classic drama. an institution more
than 1000 years old, and today sounder,
stronger grander than at any time
in IT'S history: strengthened by the
contributions Of the master minds OF
the intervening centuries, develSSed by
the evolution Of scientific progress, ana
appreciated by the superior intelligence
of universal education.
'I am led 20 this conclusion by the
experience Of some twenty-five years
in striving 10 adequately present this
form of the drama 70 the American
people, and find that, In spite Of the
temporary success Of problem plays,
sensational situations, realistic ro-
mances and dairy-farm dramas. that
have an ephemeral existence, and then
cease 90 be even a memory. the classic
drama holds its own in the minds and
hearts of men. IS the criterion of taste,
the test Of ability and the accepted
mirror Of nature after, or rather before,
all
"The American stage today presents
elaborate reyiyals of Julius Caesar
Hamlet and The Tempest while sew
eral tragedlans are touring the coun-
try In varied Shakespearean roper
torres the stock companies at frequent
intervals present worthy performances
Of the great masters plays that mn
their theatres, and we are promised in
the near future revlyals of Macbeth
and Much Ado About Nothing an all
star cast Of Romeo and Juliet and a
Shakespearean venture by a worthy
lady and gentleman who have hither-
90 confined their efforts 90 the roman
tic drama. These. with prospective
visits from several European repre-
sentatives Of the classic and legitimate
drama. uphold the honor and dignity
of the stage.
What more announcement could we
ask. We have no subsidized theatre,
so an Of these ventures are launched
by men who are seeking a profitable
field OF investment and expect. and
VIII no doubt realize. a handsome re-
turn for their enterprise
"Tha literary departments OF our unl-
Fersites normal and public schools.
Include the Shakespearean and classic
dramas in their curriculum as the
highest form Of poetic expression The
clergy from the pulpit the orator from
the r0strum. the advocate from the bar
and the iurist from the bench. alike
quote the classic drama 90 argue and
convince. To is a part of our life:
without III the scholar Is ignorant. the
gentleman incomplete. the citizen im-
perfect Fear not a moment for the
classic drama To win exist when we
shall long have passed away. 10 teach
its eun0blng lessons by the force Of
SIS glorious examples, 90 arouse our
sympathy by ITS pictures of human