The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-23
Salonnania

The world seems to have gone stark mad on the subject of "The Salonie Dance" When Olive Fremstad gave the first performance of 1t at the Metropolitan opera two years ago, in the Strauss yer sion of MT. Oscar Wilde's tragedy of "Salonie," the critics said: Miss Frem- stad was undoubtedly the hors d oeuvre of the opera; for she was not only an Olive but a Salami." However, this did not keep the opera from shocking the public, and 1t was promptly suppressed.
 Miss Julia Marlowe at the same time was giving a presentation of the dance at the Lyric theatre in 'Johannes' (Sud- ermann's) although in a modified edition.
 A year elapsed before Maude Allen made her appearance in "A Vision of Sa- lonie" a vaudeville stunt which has cap tured two continents. Then appears Ger trude Hoffman in an imitation of Maude Allen, and now the theatrical world is deluged with "Salomes."
 In New York 'Salome club has been formed with the following officers: Pres ident, Gertrude Hoffmann; vice president, La Sylphe; treasurer, Lotta Faust; sec retary, Eva Tanguay. The membership is limited to 50000 members.
 It Is feared that "The Merry Widow Waltz" will have to give way to the "Salome Dance although the manage ment of this popular opera has been ex- ceptionally active in guarding against outbreaks of "Salomania" Gotham newspaper says:
 "As soon as any chorus girl shows the very first symptoms of the disease she is at once enveloped in a fur coat-the most efficacious safeguard known against the Salome dance-and hurrfedly isolated.
 "Of course, the actress who does the Merry Widow waltz itself Is subjected to a surveillance of the strictest kind. nf,and a couldn't so much as take off her hat With out arousng suspicion.
 ''In addition to the ordinary precautions adopted in the case of the regular chorus, the garments worn by Sonia have been provided with an intricate system of but tons, hooks, eyes, clasps and padlocks, which are inspected every evening by MT. Henry w. Savage in person"
 Ibsen's tragedy, "A Dolls House. IS not even exempt from the mania as popular actress has signified her inten- tion of turning the wonderful "Taran- tella," which Nora dances, into "Sa- lome'' variation.
 MT. F. H. Sothern positively announces in spite of the popularity of the dance, that he will present Hamlet without a vestige of "Salomania." He says: T know that this will be a shock to the public, who have doubles counted on one, but I feel sure that Shakespeare would have put in the dance had he be- lieved it necessary"
 Mary Garden will appear as "Salome" at the Manhattan opera and it Is ru- mored that her version will be wonderful. She will study the dance in Paris at the Opera Comique and the famous pre- mier danseuse, Maraquita, will be her instructor.
 It is said that play tinkerers" are at work trying to find some excuse for the "Salome" dance in all the great operas, and Gotterdammerung, "Die Meister- singer and Faust" may yet be the victims.
 From a political point of view the "Sa- lome" question will undoubtedly be made a leading issue in the presidential elec- ton. A story is told to the effect that MT. William J. Bryan was approached on the subject few days ago by re- porter for a leading New York news paper and when asked:
 What will be your attitude concern ing it?''
 That" he replied solemny, will de- pend on what Tafts is."