Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1905-06-15
THINGS SEEN FROM STAGE
Description of Various People in an
j Audience as%Viewed by a $50 H.
Performer.

| Jefferson say once that comedy was z
serious business" says Sam Bernard. 9
comedian, according TO the Chicago
Chronicle. 81 didn't understand the
paradox then, but do now with all its
force. Comedy is 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, it is very pleasant to cause
people to roar with laughter and to know
that you, as an instrument, are affording
them happiness. There is another side
of 1t, however. Imagine playing to a
cold and stony audience that looks at
you blankly all through what you know
is your most effective work.
1T takes whole lot Of people to make
up an audience that will fill the average
theater. Consider first the box party; it
comes in with a flourish and sound Of
rustling skirts, laughter and half fin
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 theater are
most prolific OF curiosities. 1t is there
that the first nighter-more often bald
than not-loves to display his keen 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 a
bang. 1t is about this time now for the
theater party with seats in the orchestra
to come in. They are late, of course.
They have been dining at fashionable
restaurant and reach the play just at
the finale Of tie, first act. There are
eight of them ant their seats are in the
center of the row-theater parties seats
are never on the aisle. So everyone in
that row has to stand up as they slowly
squeeze into their places while the peo-
ple behind are of course for the time
being cut off from a view OF the stage.
In front Of this party is generally to
be found the bumptious. saDguine man
who delights in everything. laughs inn
moderately at poor jokes and claps his
ponderous hands on every possible occa-
sion, to the great annoyance of everyone
near. Yet he is no worse than tee
chronic, bilious Pathfinder with hil
.bosh' and what rot and what fright
There is the chap that like to get at.
for when do get him going he is angry
at himself for having stepped out of his
sh ell and become his real self. Just such
a fellow do l remember during the run
of The Girl From Kay's' at New York
last wear. He seemed to look me straight
in the eye with an expression that said
as plainly az il he had bawled it out,
You can't do it! No one has done it
vet It took me an act and half to
accomplish it, but finally made him
unbend.
1T is the family man, who once a |
week or once a fortnight, visits the |
theater. who is source of JOY to the |
actor. This man isn't burdened with |
money and always sits in the balcony.
He isn't there to analyze or criticise, but |
to seek enjoyment. He is really your
friend before you get started. and when
lho pIov ic oEar rou FocI &c If Won want
% 90 up and shake hands with him."