New-York tribune., 1905-12-24
EGGS AS A GAUGE OF DRAMATIC ART.

w nat country did YOU next Observer"
heard the short. derisive laugh in Switzerland
ie tHe Alpine attitudes endow the audiences
WIN oeep lungs and a consequent force Of crttt-
clSm 1t is short but deep laugh that must chill
'ie marrow or the unsuccessful players If the
laugh does not suffice. the theatregoers of Inter
laken and Berne stamp their feet and then go forth
10 obtain fragments of glaciers with which 10 con-
clude their sentiments. They express iov with
clappng and yodling which alarms the newly or
rived visitor"
How do the French audiences behavep,
Ihe lower theatres IN Paris correspond to ours
OF the same class The appeal is to the instincts
ana the response is similar. One hears the goose
IKE hiss the voice of the pig and MANY inar+,c,,
late SOUNDS OF dsapproval When words are ut
tered 1t is "A la bas Fauteur! Pout! sceleratr The
weaess SEEMS n fbd TO regard as personal insult any
are not slow in expressing distaste bv sb %01lem en-
me shoulders and gesticuiation A great enif low
As Gibbon says Of the Romans the French have
bersI 80 I EVIzeG I tnat they have lapsed 10 bar
upon scenes that would touch other neonies GiE pnE
to spare in the way Of stage tributes Tbayy hn1s
qnets are meagre. If artistic. and their vegetables
the French Canadians had oreTe5 aSs 10 hear m that
eT nd nj the other day 1t is certain the eggs
Did you pursue this study in the other countries
certainly The Austrians. I find. combine the
rreca ana German temperament they are both
Glasses o are well behaved lover pGafs Gafs
44elNe' 50 mat IS the dramatic
except when a bomb meant for a nobIeman per-
chance hits the strutting player Tho C;err,a1s
9elng thoughtful race, respect the idea ~ ths
rama apart from treatment and acting. so ~ thet
olsnke iat anything any they shake their heads sneer
clously with hands and feet. Out in the lobby they
has su3ps g bsoSknF bsok & Ssa4s she To- aRS ses
II they are right. OF course the German actirT is
Inc Inc pest In the world, except. perhaps for Fthe
No doubt England invented the boo
4 es, II Is q characteristic sound ernanatns from
Ming on the part OF adi nCte atSo peculiar cum,
boo him numerically The attitude is profound
IT won't do. my boy, IL won't do growls the dis
satisfied Briton TO his neighbor. Once at per
formance OF my Ell Captain there an Eng
not know whether to boo applaud I say. is
this a good SHOVE he asked I assured him N was
excellent, whereupon he clapped vigorously"
And America said the interviewer
1T is the greatest land of all. The Eastern audi
enCes arc so polite that they never express their
dislike. save by frigd silence air OF stupe-
faction. No murmur solitary protest arises
Out In the large. free West where produce Is
plenty. the exuberant people cast things on the
stage. which often prove blessing In disguise to
the hungry transformer. Yes all are partial
to our missiles and ways. would rather be
IN merry old New York, despite the first night
death watch and the hattIeaxe critics. Chicago has
Senteei audiences that not too sophisticated
Now" concluded Mr.. Klein II have said much
that Is serious and vital, but please let me utter
frivolous word. believe troubled to-
Gay with n lack OF truth, not only in drama and
criticism but In business politics
get nowhere There are a few hopeful signs There
Is now some demand for native plays that are
hullt on IDEAS and appeal 10 the reasoning faculties
2s wen as TO those OF amusement"