The Washington times., 1906-12-09


atTical openings Of the night be-
fore the writer called attention
TO unnecessary and annoying
disturbances in two OF the theaters, in
one case on the stage. in the other in the
auditorium. The comment. though
brief. appears TO have gone 10 tie heart
OF one at least OF the readers thereof. for
a day or two ago the following letter
arrived at the office.
Dramatic Editor. Washington Times.
Dear Sir: l noted with pleasure yOuT
comment on Unnecessary disturbances in
TWO OF the theaIers and was delighted to
see you touch on an abuse that / have
long wished TO see corrected-the utter
lack Of consideration on the part of
theatergoers for other theatergOers.
ThsS show It in every possible way.
a great many have the extremely sell
FISH habit of coming 10 a playhouse or
concert haI after the hour set for the
beginning Of the performance. / call IL
a selfish habit advisedly. These people
are so afraid that they will arrive early
and waste two or three minutes of their
CWn precious lives, that they prefer 20
enter late and waste the time not only
OF the hundreds already seated, but also
OF the performers. That the players
have come 10 feel that they can accom-
plish nothing by their efforts during the
frst twenty minutes OF a performance is
witnessed by the way they frequently
read their lines during that time.
At a concert or recital the music Is
interrupted considerably during the
first movements, OF numbers. on the
program, and the effect utterly spoiled
by late corners. This is not only an IN
sulJ 10 the audience and TO the must
clans, but is an affront 10 the composer
and his production. The unity which the
composer seeks To portray in his sym
phony cannot be grasped II the listen
ing mind has 20 be interrupted and
taken back 10 the outside world for five
minutes between movements, The move
mrnts ought 10 follow each other. with
only the slightest pause The minds
of the orchestra. and especially OF the
conductor, ought not 10 be taken from
the symphony between movements even
long enough To bow acknowledgement
10 the applause. Persons who persist
in applauding between movements dis
play their utter lack Of appreciation OF
the purpose OF the symphony.
Furthermore the disturbance near
the end OF a performance caused by
persons putting on their wraps and
leaving early IS ~ less destructive in
ITS effect. In Boston the moment the
conductor steps into his box the doors
are closed. and kept closed bv the ushers
so long as he remains on the box. II is
also impossible for anyone either 10
enter or leave the hall during that time.
The programs state that anyone desiring
10 leave the hall must do So before the
beginning OF the last number
All that is written with regard 10 the
Interruption OF music applies with
equal force 10 the drama. We are truly
a long suffering -eople, but with the
Psalmist, ] cry: 20, Lord. how loug?"
How much longer must we be com
PEELED to endure having the poetic beau
ties OF our great plays ruined by the
sslfshness OF the few for twenty min
llteg at one end and for five at the
other As many times as l have seen
Hamlet" l have never yet been able
10 hear the closing lines. There is al
ways some one in my row who must
rise and pass out as soon as the duel
is fought or some one just in front OF
me who must rise and begin struggling
into wraps
1 would like TO pay my respects to the
people who repeat and explain the
Jokes to one another. the people who
have seen the play before, and have
70 tell their companions what is going
10 happen next. the people who hum all
the ;..uslc. and the people who generally
make public nuisances OF themselves
IN public places. but I trespass too long
on your patience. II. however. you
can contribute your mite toward the
reformation OF the average audience
YOU viii have earned the gratitude OF
many a true lover OF music ana the
drama. among others Of
JOHN G. r.