Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-08-10
The Publication Of the Stage.


this article he refers at some length to
the very general effort OF the pulpit
and the press of this country during
the past year, to bring about an up
lifting in the character of the plays
presented for the entertainment OF the
American theatre going public. There
was unquestionably crying need OF
such a movement. Many of the plays
presented last winter were question
able while others were positively vile
The better sentiment of the country
called for a halt It protested against
the further infliction of dramatized
filth. It represented the widespread
conviction that 1t was not the province
of the stage to be panderer to puerile
and depraved tastes; but that 1t
should rather be made a force, and a
powerful one, for the advancement of
civilization, and the promotion of what
is purest and best in human life.
Viewed from any standpoint the fact
cannot be denied that the stage is a
mighty educator. and that 1t must and
will exert a mighty influence upon the
public mind 1t is, therefore Of the
utmost Importance to the general tone
of society, that its tone should be pure
and its purposes in line with what is
truest and best in Christian civiiiza-
ton. 1nasmuch as most of the sue
cessful plays in this country are de-
veloped in New York, which is the
recognized center of the dramatic art
in the United States, that city natural
ly became the storm center of the
agitation which has been waged for
plays that shall be pure in tone and
purpose. The change has been made
that since the dramatic attractions of
this country came largely under Syndi-
cate control, there has been DISPOSE
ton to sacrifice all other considera-
tions. secondary to the purely mercen-
airy one Of financial profits. Be this
as it may, the fact remains that many
of the plays staged in New York last
winter were so essentially coarse and
vulgar as to call forth a united note
of protest and condemnation from the
better elements of society.
1t is. 1t seems to us. gross mis-
take. an uncalled for reflection upon
the American people, to assume that
a play in order to be financially sue
cessful in this country, must sink be-
low the level of common decency, AMI
pander to the baser elements of human
character. 1t is new theory in the
conduct of dramatic art in this coun-
try, and one that is not borne out by
the facts. The most successful plays
that have ever been produced in this
country have been pure in tone and in
that appeal alike to the
public desire for entertainment, and 10
its sense of moral decency. In the
article by Rabbi Lyons, above alluded
to he takes the ground that, in the
publication Of the American stage a
special obligation rests upon citizens
of the Jewish race He says:
The rampancy Of the immoral on
the stage the present time, and espe-
cially in New York, presents a rare
opportunity for the Jews. We could
settle the problem of the publication
OF the stage if we chose to be true to
our principles and tradition. We are
chargeable with large measure of
responsibility for the continuance of
dramatic conditions which insiduously
debase. and are permitted because thew
entertain We Jews can alter this
We are large patrons of the theatre. As
theatrical managers. playwrights, act
ors, and impressariOs, we WELD a DOW
er difficult to resist in the theatrical
world Let us but agree to be a power
Tor dramatic purity, and the things
which now disgust will give way to
such as dignity while they delight. If,
FOR instance, Hammerstein were as
good a Jew as he is a business man.
ne would not permit the association Of
MS managerial name with such a re.
Voting exhibition of sensuous sugges-
tlveness as has been given in New
York for many months by Princess
RaJah. This dancer was heralded as a
lind of Mr.. Hammerstein's. Enviable
distinction! There is so much that is
good and beautiful and beneficial that
pays; why go after the bad, the ugly,
he harmful?
SO | call upon the Jewish citizenship
of the country. but especially of New
York. which is pace-setter, to
awaken to the present opportunity to
10 thing for the uplifting of the
1rama: and let that be our patriotic
to the moral assets of the
1t is certainly to be hoped that this
trumpet call, so bravely sounded. may
De productive of practical and far
reaching results. The fact remains,
however. that the great work of puri-
Tying the American stage cannot be
entrusted to the people of any one
race or religious denomination. 1t is
work of national Importance. and
calls for the hearty cooperation of the
people Of all races and all roI;oio,r