Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1906-11-11
THINGS SEEN FROM STAGE
Description Of Various People in an
Audience as Viewed by a
Performer.

Il remember having heafd Joseph
jefferson say once that comedy was >
serious business says Sam Bernard. :
comedian. according 70 the Chicago
Chronicle. Il didn't understand the
paradox then. but do now With all It's
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 III and enter into
the proper spirit OF your work.
"Oh. yes. II Is very pleasant 70 cause
people 10 roar with laughter and to know
that you. as an instrument. are anoroing
them. happiness. There is another side
OF Il, 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 a whole lot OF people 10 make
up an audience that will fill the average
theater. Consider first the box party; Il
comes In with a flourish and sound Of
rustling skirts. laughter and half fin
lshed 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 10 them. After
the party IA AT last seated the ladies'
belonging 10 Just as likely as not will
turn their backs 10 the stage and enter
into animated conversation with the
white shirt bosoms behind them.
THE front rows OF any theater are
most prolific OF curlosities. IL Is there
that the first nighter-more often bald
than not-loyes 10 display his keen in
terest IN the drama and incidentally his
admiration for pretty actresses. The
nervous old man. who has got a seat by
the drum and cymbals. Is not much bet
ter OF and winces visibly every time a
point Is emphasized with a clash and a
bang II Is about this time now for the
theater party with seats 10 the orchestra
TO come In. They are late, Of course.
They have been dining az fashionable
restaurant and reach the play just at
the finale OF the first act. There are
eight Of them and their seats are In the
center OF the row-theater parties seats
are never on the aisle So everyone Ia
that row has 10 stand up as they elowly
squeeze into their places while the peo-
ple behind are OF course for the time
being cut on from view Of the stage.
I'm front Of this party Is generally to
be found the bumptious, sanguiue man
who delights IN everything. laughs i'm
moderately az poor Jokes and c.aps his
ponderous hands on every possible Occa-
sion. TO the great annoyance OF everyone
near. Yet he Is no worse than the
chronic. bilious fsulthnder with his
.bosh' and what rot and 'whata fright
There IS the chap that like 10 get az.
for when do get him going he Is angry
AZ himself for having stepped out Of his
she'll and become his real self Justsuch
a fellow do I remember during the run
of The Girl From Kay's az New York
lastyeaf. iIs seemed TO look me straight
In the eye with an expression that said
as plainly as II he had bawled Il out.
You can't do Il. No one has done Il
vet Il took me an act and half to
accomplish Il. but I finally made him
uubend.
1t Is the family man. who once a
week or once a fortnight. visits the
theater. Who Is a source OF JOY 10 the
actor. This man isn't burGenet with
money and always sits In the balcony
tie isn't there TO analyze or criticize. but
10 seek enjoyment. He Is really your
lrie=a before you get started. auC when
the play is over you feel a. II YOU waEi
10 60 Up and shake hands Win him"