New-York tribune., 1908-12-10
KING CLOSES THEATRES
Imrokes -4ncient PrerogdtiCe to Stop
Performances on Sundays.

TCopv-ght 1905. bv ERE Brentwood CoulpsHy-)
A-aong King Edwards many prerOga1ives. dating
~-orn sncient times. is the control which he exer
Uses through the Lord Chamberlain OF his House
hold over al the theatres music halls, etc. OF the
Tinted Kingdom Awaiting himself thereof he has
rust caused II 70 be known that no public enter
tsinrlezt Is be gwen IN q theatre or music hail
ou Sundays. on Christmas Day or on Good Friday,
unless under very exceptional circumstances and
hen only ff the programme Or that particular per
ss-rasuoe sas been previously submitted to the
-z+-G Chamberlsin's department and received its
snS-iulstur. While the King does not actually
soe.lse the theatres and music halls, Vet he con-
--ols every performance given there Nothing can
:. presented without his permission. not even IN
re vsy of private entertainment at theatre or
music hall fact. he could by virtue OF his pre-
negative prevent any public OF private representa-
ION being given a. one % these houses OF enter
-sf7-ae-- and thus reduce is owners 10 ruin, with
ot any redress on their part unless they deferred
70 his views Should they resist his authority.
thev as well IS the managers Of the performance
render themselves liable 10 heavy fine and mprtson-
-7e,t and 70 the clearing Of the house by the
police
King Edward has been led to issue this edict with
regard n Sunday performances by thesgrowth and
deterioration OF these sabbath entertainments As
n this country. they commenced with concerts OF
sacred music Then followed cinematoErsph dis
plays of Biblical subjects The latter, as well as
re Scored music have long given way TO much
more frivolous and more worldly features; and
whereas twenty thirty years ago al theatres and
music halls throughout Great Britain were shut
on Sundays to-day they ara nearly al open and
oeiuE g rushing business the houses being orten
rented on Sundays for so-calIed private entertain
-enrs Of 2 class which would not pass muster with
the mass o. the general public weekday
Foro-nQ-ed 4 IS said. by Queen Alexandra who Is
8 very religious woman indeed, and urged by the
leading eccIesiastics. not only of the Church OF
England but o. other denominations. the king mas
now turned -o good account the survival OF
medieval des3o-is-u which excited so much cTiJi-
cfsu e the tine when Il was invoked by suPoTal-
nate officials oF the Lord Chanberlain's depart
r-snt 70 prevent The performance Of Giioeft ana
Iiver's comic opera The AIkado. CURING me
state visit England e several members oI '-e
Isua1ese imperial family couple OF years ago
The sre0 taken by the King is meeting WIN tAe
warn gn7-oyzl OF vast mass OF the popu-aolon
n England where Il Is construed as furnishing an
Other striking Illustration OF the intimacy OF ms
CONSTANT touch with public sentiment The latter,
Is II al English speaking countries, IS ever II
-sro- q g respect for Sunday. and - keenly alive
* he King 70 this thai although passionately de-
voted = racing re has never IN his life been pres
zrr II TIE Paris Grand Prsx. which IS always run
o.. = sunday and which Is the greatest Of races on
ne Continent OF Europe. being equivalent 70 the
English Derby