The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1910-05-20
DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE
My Dear Mrs. Trego:


1t seems to me that as clubs WI
could do no better work or the de
veloment of culture in our growing
towns than to encourage and brinl
about such entertainments as thos'
given recently by Mrs. Labadie il
Pocatello and Idaho Falls. He
reading of ''The Doll House" by ID
sen given under the patronage of the
Study club of Pocatello surpassed
our greatest expectations. 1t is to be
regretted that the patronesses did moi
exert themselves to make a financia
success Of the entertainment but il
seems that they were only DESTROYS Of
making expenses. (The study club
is always well fixed financially. The
audience was not large but it was an
appreciative one of Pocatello's most
intellectual people.
We need more of such entertain.
ments to take the place of the trashy
plays we have in our western towns
1t is the aim of Mrs. Labadie on this
western trip to interest people In
Ibsen. She shows that he is not
immoral. Throughout this drama a
high moral standard is portrayed. In
the character of DR.. Ranck it is
shown that the sins of the father are
visited upon the child. In the DOLL
wife Nora we see the folly of rear
ing girl in luxury without any do
nestle or business training. She COM
mits the crime of forgery through ig-
norance while her motive was promp-
ted by most laudable causes. By the
most tactful inference Ibsen shows
that in judging offenders we should
consider the intentions of the often
der and not the letter of the law
that is broken. The folly of lie
is also shown in this drama as in
olHerS OF lDSen S.
l would not attempt to tell you
how exceedingly well Mrs. Labadie
reads these parts. She is especially
strong in her portrayal of male char
acters. Her voice is good and her
stage presence is most pleasing. 1t
was my good fortune to meet her
informally at dinner at the home of
our good Mrs. Derr. She is most
to meet socially and is very
altruistic in her living. You might
not think that | absorbed some valu-
able lessons in pedagogics in my con-
with her. She is a close
friend and great admirer of our Ma
tional President, Mrs. Philip N.
Moore, and she is in hearty sympathy
with all good club movements.
Mrs. Labadie's business is manag-
ed in a most unique way Her ad-
vance agent visits the town and con-
tracts for her and while there they
sell enough tickets to insure her pay
which Is always a stipulated sum.
They leave the rest of the tickets to
be sold by the patrons with whom
hey have contracted. BY this means
clubs or societies are safe if they
IAN sell enough to pay rent of build
ng and incidentals for they do not
lave to put up money for "the speak
er' in case of the small audience.
t would be well if more artists would
Try the plan for by it they cannot
ose and the patrons could lose but
little If any thing, and by little ex-
ertion and good management they
'ould clear great deal. I heard
hat the ladies of Idaho Falls realized
neat sum as profit for their even
ng.
Now as we make so much civic
along material lines let
Is 40 all we can to help our towns
Intellectually, by having at least one
God entertainment of this kind each
ear and more if possible
And this reminds me. How many
t us are boosting for the oratoria
f "The Messiah" which is to be
iven by home talent in Blackfoot
n June.
Yours sincerely,
ALICE BEACH. |
.