The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-15
THEATRICAL NEW VS.
Miss CrOsman Discusses Laugh
ing and Crying Audiences.
The Satisfying Decision VIII
Never Be Reached.
COMEDY rs DIFFICULT.
She Says 81 Love to Make Men
Cry"
TheyLOok at Players FaceWhile
Tears Flow.
Comedy is DIFFICULT.

Henrietta Crosman gives an inter
esting contribution on whether it is
easier to make a person laugh or cry.
She says.
LAS long as players talk shop this
question viii be discussed, and as long
as players are players a universally
satisfying decision will never be
reached.
Judging from my own experience
I think that comedy is the most diff
cult phase of acting. And when say
comedy I do not mean the alleged
comedy which is perpetuated with the
sid Of a slap stick or stuffed club.
] refer TO real oomedy-the comedy
4llat comes FROM the back of the head,
where the brains are, and which draws
SITS Inspiration from human nature.
''To explain, I will cite an instance
which came under my own observation
Ga New York I attended a matinee
performance OF q musical comedy at
pne OF the Broadway play houses.
Among other things saw this:
"a woman made I'd to resemble
anything but woman came upon the
aREa. Her costume was designed
With an evident intention to make her
present as ludicrous an appearance
~ possible, She sang a foolish song
about how unpopular she was with
men. She also danced a foolish dance.
4A6G a man entered ne WAS maze
mp after the manner of the woman.
They grimaced and bowed The WO-
man remarked; Charley told me you
said something about me the other
hay.
asked.
with an aRectation Of modesty by
sticking one finger in the corner of her
mouth the woman replied: He said
you said you wanted to marry me-
Without any further provocation
the man fell straight forward, ap-
parently striking his head against the
stage. He was accompanied by the
tap drummer in the orchestra, who
rolled the little drum crescendo as the
actor fell with a mighty climax blow
on the bass drum as his face struck
the floor. A woman in the next box
said to her escort: Amt he great?'
I should say So her escort re-
piled Hes the greatest comedian on
Broadway
THAT is not my idea of comedy
That is grotesque buffoonery. 1t makes
children and some people laugh out
loud. Everything that gets a laugh,
however must not be called comedy.
ANY emotional actress of note can
move her audience to tears; but there
are many emotional actresses who
find comedy impossible. On the other
hand. there is not a single high class
comedian or comedienne worthy Of
we'll as laughter from an audience.
This statement may seem a bit
broad on first consideration, but the
regular playgoer who thinks it over
win realize its truth.
Il do not know why, but a come
dienne can draw tears from men more
quickly than a tragedienne or emo
uonal actress. The opposite is true Of
women. An emotional actress, with
attractive personality, ranting about
her wrongs, with handkerchief, sobs.
heaving bosom, and all the other aids
TO tears, will drive an audience of
won en- into incipient Mysteries. Men
VIII sit still in their chairs interested
but unaffected.
at is the lighter shade of pathos
that makes men cry. The helpless,
womanly sorrow caused by things that
men themselves do.
Il love to make men cry.
''They don't sob and smile and duf-
Ter handkerchiefs. They just sit there
with the tears yelling up and trying to
swallow without permitting the per-
sons nearabouts to observe their dis
eomdture. They never take their eyes
from the players face but follow
every word and gesture with fixed
interest that is inspiring"