The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1905-06-02
THINGS SEEN FROM STAGE
Description Of Various People in al
Audience as Viewed by
Performer
TIENNERY

II remember having heard Joseph
Jefferson say once that comedy was >
serious business says Sam Bernard
comedian. according 10 the Chicago
Chronicle. Il didn't understand the
paradox then. but do now with all its
force. Comedy S the hardest and most
serious work that | know In comedy
one must always be on edge You must
do more than merely read lines and
declaim You must be fit and enter into
the proper spirit OF your work.
"Oh. yes. il is very pleasant 10 cause
people TO roar with laughter and 10 know
that you as an instrument. are afforcing
them happiness. There is another side
OF IT. however Imagine playing 10 a
cold and stony audience that looks at
YOU blankly all through what you know
is your most effective work
.Ittakes a whole lot Of people 10 make
MP an audience that will fill the average
theater. Consider first the box party; i
comes IN with a flourish and sound Of
rustling skirts. laughter and half I'm
ished conversation There IS always
that little by-play among the ladies as
TO who shall sit in the front seats. which
invariably distracts the attention OF the
audience from the stage TO them After
the party is at last seated the ladies'
belonging to just as likely as not will
turn their backs to the stage and enter
into animated conversation with the
white shirt bosoms behind them.
The front rows OF any theates are
most prolific Of curiosities. II is there
that the first nighter-more often BALD
than not-loves TO display his keep in
terest in the drama and incidentally his
admiration for pretty actresses. The
nervous old man. who has got seat by
the drum and cymbals. is not much bet
ter off and winces visibly every time
point is emphasized with clash and
/ hang II Is about this time now for the
theater party with seats in the orchestra
10 come in. They are late, OF course
/ They have been dining al a fashionable
restaurant and reach the play just al
the finale Of the first act There ara
Z eight OF them and their seats are in the
center OF the row-theater parties seats
IRE never on the aisle So everyone In
that row has to stand up as they slowly
squeeze into their places while the peo
ME behind are OF course for the tim'
being cut of from view Of The stage.
I'm front OF this party IS generally e
be found the bumptious. sanguine mar
who delights in everything. laughs i'm
moderately at poor jokes and claps Ill
nonderous hands on every possible ocea
sion. to the great annoyance Of ever, ont
near Yet he Is no worse than IN
chronic bilious faultfnder with hi
.bosh' and what rot and what fright
There is the chap that like to get al
for when | do get him going he is angr.
AZ himself for having stepped out OF hi
she'll and become his real self Just sue
a fellow do remember during the rul
Of The Girl From Kay's' at New forl
last year He seemed TO look me straigh
I'm the eve with an expression that sal
as plainly as II he had bawled IL ou'
You can't do II, No one has done
vet II took me An act and hali !
accomplish IL. but finally made hir
unbend.
1T is the family man, who once
week or once fortnight. visits To
theater. who is a source OF JOY to th
actor. This man isn't burdened wit
money and always sits in the balloon!
He isn't there to analyze or criticise. bt
IA seek endowment lie is really you
friend before you get started, and Nhe
the play Is over YOU feel as II you wal
10 60 up and shake hands with him