Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-12-08

1 L ENh1 AAl tOh JpNI'f Nh'
- English playwright, delivered a
lecture on 1.-THE Corner-Stones
OF the English Drama" in sam
ders' theater. Harvard university. a few
days ago. Mr.. Jones fayed the spirit
of Puritanlsm for its opposition to the
drama. and declared that Oxford
would allow nothing but dead ideas to
enter It's gates. Ie thought America
had a brighter future in the drama
than had England. Mr.. Jones said IN
part:
What are the causes OF the presen:
pitlable condition of the Anglo-Amerl-
can drama of today, We hold the
worlds prize for drama. Why are We
tagging behind in it, where by right We
should lead, the other nations at our
heels?
The fundamental reason Is to be
found in the character Of our race. We
are dramatic race. We are also
deeply religious race. Religion easily
runs riot to fear. After the mellow
pomp OF the Elzabethan ago religion
ran riot in England. We owe the i'm
becilty OF our drama today to the in
sane rage IL Puritanism. The feeling
OF horror and fright at the theator Is
even today widely prevalent among
religious classes IN England and Amer
lea. Attendant on this primary cause
are other secondary causes. which iu-
troducc in the order Of their import
ance:
I. The divorce of the English drama
from English literature, OF which it Is
indeed fhe highest and most difficult
form. and of which Il should be its
chief ornament.
9. The general absence from the En-
glsh theater aud from modern English
plays of any sane, consistent or intelli-
gible ideas about morality,
3. The divorce of the English drama
from lie sister arts; It's disposition
from any assured place in the intellec-
tual and artistic life OF tine nation.
1. The absorption into popular amuse-
ment.
s. The want OF a training school for
actors.
.. The elevation of incompetent ac-
tors and actresses into false positions
as stars, whereby IN dearth Of any gem
eral level Of experienced and competent
all around acting the possessor OF A
pretty face or n fine physique Is able
To dominate the situation, and TO rule
what plays shall be produced and how
they shall be cast and mounted.
!. A widely spread dependence upon
TRANSACTIONS and adaptations OF foreign
plays in the absence OF any general
care as to what natlonl drma should
be.
Mr.. Jones thcn enumerated ths cor
ner stones Of the drama as follows.
1, The recognition OF the drama as
the highest ana most difficult form of
literature. the establishment Of definite
and continuous relations between the
drama and literature.
2. The Acknowledged right of the
dramatlst 10 deal with the serious prob.
lens Of life.
g. The severance of the drama from
popular entertainment; the recognition
OF II as fine art
g. The establishment Of those rela-
lions between actor and author which
shall best aid the development OF tho
drama.
Mr.. Jones said In conclusion that II
he could express his "feryent wlshes
10 n country 10 which he is so deeuly
indebted" he would say. Especially
foster and honor this supreme art Of
Shakespeare. so much neglected and
misunderstood IN both countries: en-
dow II In all your cities; build hand
some. spacious theaters: train your
actors. reward your dramatlsts. spar
ingly with fees, but layishly with lau-
rels, BID them dare to paint American
life saneIy, truthfuliy. searchingly. for
you Dare to see your life thus raint-
cd. Dare TO LET yonr drama ridIcue
and reprove your follies and vices. and