New-York tribune., 1913-11-23

toned. But by their very nature they are
earnest. enthusiastic, and-all takers. When
they 90 % the thcater they are sandwiched
in among average auditors, and darc notorious
for expressing their opinions in audible tones
Unless they have seriously considered the
question Of the effect upon the people about
them. they are likely 20 create an atmOS.
phere Of criticism and hostility toward the
performance and performers.
One prominent firm Of managers IN New
York has drawn upon itself the cOndemna.
ton Of actors and playwrights by cancellms
all free passes 10 these two classes. his
a drastic measure and very humilatlng 70
these men; but it would seem that IN It;
essence il is lust. They have abused the
courtesy extended TO them. When not ap-
proving of a play, they are active agents IN
the theater and out, among persons who are
influenced bv the fact that they are author
ties on the subject. 1t can be proved tha.
they do absolute harm to the reputation Of
the play
Some managers who give free passes TO
actors and playwrightS absolutely refuse 70
give them a box, since in a good many cases
where they are we'll known they attract
much attention. Instead OF eliminating
themselves, they are prone 20 reyel IN per-
sonal publicity and use it for all /, IS worth,
to the detriment Of the performance on the
stage.
TT seems nowadays TO be in the mind Of
everybody who comes IN contact with
social conditions that it is possible 20 use the
theatcr and pay nothing t.r T.. All the
charitable organizations, the u.lantnr.pH
bodies. all the budding literary societies, ana
people Of such ilk have devise. ways ana
means of getting free seats. Even So insiS,,
nifcant and unimportar. things s ladies
bridge whist clubs will write over some
prominent woman's name and ask i Se@S
or boxes for euchre or bridge prizes can ue
given to them. When a manager has O. play
such rs have described, Tor which ae Is en-, n,
deavoring 20 secure New "r. rim, ne VIII
sometimes make the great mistake oi III
Guiding some of these IN his l-, OF Htr
ticketcrs. Directly one sH.a 'equeS' !
granted, without regard % t.. popuaIly
of succeeding plays. down cu-.s q shower
of similar requests upon him .ra" al So'S
of clubs
One Of the leading manager .. New YooFk
gave a box TO a personal friend ".o appIrel
for il rs prize al progressive yH.Are. 4'
woman who got the prize wen. I'D the DON
office of the thcater and requc-..i a DoX !"
a certain evening, which was gwen 70 heI'
On the night OF the performance sAe aP
peared with nine persons, and Was aJout 70
enter the box when she was informed by an
usher that it contained only SIX seats, Sne
unconccrncdly replied, "Ncry well You can
bring three more chairs. The aewildeTel
usher, who had never, even when the Don
was sold for twenty-five dollars, heard
similar request, was nonplussCd. Tie "eN
to the boxotficc for instructions. In ue
light of the fact that the box had been d
gift, they told him to say that they h"d 10
extra chairs.
Whcrcupon. the champion cuyhre PLAYER
appeared in front of the window where 'l'
patient, contcnted people We're filing up pay
ing good money for their seats, ana glau
get them. and began 10 beratc the tisNe,
seller. She told all her business m a louI
voice,-how she had won this box 40 pm
euchrc; how no one had told her tha' ~.
could have only six seats; how She was ~.
4 mind reader and could not possibly know
there were only that many in o box Ao.
she had invited her friends and they mus.
be provided for; and how if there was an,
more talk on the subject she would "naNe "
hot" for the manager. Rather than nav
the original mistake of the managcr-in CIV,
ing the box at all-ShoWn up to an n'eTeS"".
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