Omaha daily bee., 1911-10-13
Theater Goers, Read This
By Tad

body In the row must rise 10 let them in
thus blocking the view for at least six
rowe, and distractng everybody's atten-
tlon. l think women are invariably the
late corners. and that 1t Is Just as mucn
OF a nuisance as for men TO go out be.
tween the acts"
shake brothers, heartily agree
with you both, What we need is a
censor for the theater who will take!
out the over-perfumed lady and dis
infect her, and strong-armed ushers
who will forcibly prevent people who
arrive late at the theater from taking
their seats until after the act Is finished
Also there is crying call for some-
body with a lsrat who will choke into
silence those garrulous individuals who
go to the theater to converse about their
family affairs or who feel called upon
to explain the plot of a play to their
companion, or who indulge themselves in
humming the airs OF an opera.
The truth is there is no better field
for tho display OF altruism than the
theater, for our pleasure in It depends
no less upon the conduct of our neigh
bors than II does upon the excellence OF
the production on the stage. In vain
does a Caruso sing, or a NARROW charm.
or a Rose stahl seek to make us laugh
II the man behind us IL singing In our
ear, or the woman to the right OF US is
reeking with patchouli. or the man to the
left OF us tears our frocks and stamps
upon our toes six times during an even
ing.
Perhaps, as whole, we do not con-
slider just what the theater stands for in
general life. or course, to people who
are rich and who can so half a dozen
times to soc the same play IL they want
to. II makes no particular difference IL
their evening at the play Is spoiled by
their neighbors. But to the majority of
us, who have limited means, theatAr-
going is the one little luxury, the occa-
sionAl treat, for which we save UP, and
deny ourselves. and TO have this festival
ruined by the thoughtlessness and selfish
ness Of others Is nothing short OF q
tragedy.
So I appeal to all men ana women to
put into practice the golden rule at the
theater and DO as you would be done by.
II you are a man. don't torture women
by going out between acts.
II you are a woman, don't disgust men
by seeming yourself up 50 that you Of
fend their nostrils.
II you can't go to the theater before
the opening OF a play. walt until after
the first act before you take your seat.
instead Of spelling the opening scene tori
whole rows OF people.
II you are a commuter and have to
leave in the middle OF the last act. get
end seats. so that you won't ruin the
climax OF the play for everybody about
you when you get up to go.
Don't make a battering-ram OF your
knees for the person who sits In front
OF you, Few people enjoy having a
tattoo played on their spinal column.
Don't talkl during the act II you've.
got to converse, stay At home.
Don't hum along with tha srtist on the
stage. The people about you didn't pay
out their money 10 hear you sing,
Just remember that II you do anything
to disturb the comfort OF the people about
you you have stolen the price OF their
tickets Just as much as II you had put
your hand in their pockets and taken
the money.
And 20 rob PEOPLE OF pleasure is worse
than pilfering their cash.