The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-11

T the close of the evening per-
II Torrance of any play in his
= \ own theatre David Belasco
usually slips back stage" for a good
night TO his star and the heads OF
lis various departments, often linger-
Ing IN the green room" for a little
chat which may prove either business
or social It was upon one such oc-
caston, before Tiger! Tiger!' was
transferred for the completion Of its
New York season to the subway cir
cult" to make room for Dark Rosa
lesn" in the Belasco. that the producer,
his business manager and the chron-
icler Of this event were electrified by
a sudden question from Frances Starr.
Why is a theatre pass?" she de-
manded to know.
Her interrogation conjured such an
army Of ludicrous spectres of ticket
grafters from the past experience of
every one present that the laugh was
general.
But no." protested Miss Starr, II
ask the question seriously. The
psychology OF the public mind regard
ing free admission to the theatre is
The most curious thing / know. /
don't pretend to understand 1t, but
1t Is nevertheless the fact that 1t is
next TO impossible to induce any one
who knows me personally to see me
play. This statement excludes many
Of my personal friends, who, in some
instances. persistently decline to ac-
cept free seats for my performances.
II also excludes a few folk with whom
l have a business relationship, but
aside from this small minority every
one with whom l have even a sneak
ing acquaintanceship, from my ele-
Nator boy up, expects to be admitted
free TO see me play. Now I ask you
Why"
No one vouchsafing the information
demanded, Miss Starr plunged deeper
into the matter.
The queerest OF all queer things
about 1t is that any one Of this little
army Of people who expect me to sup
ply them with free seats for every play
IN which I appear would consider II
utterly preposterous for me to expect
Them to do anything in return for me-
she continued. Wen take the trades
people for instance. They usually
charge me the maximum price-often
price they wouldn't dare charge any
one but a player-for their wares
AND when they have done it they fire.
quently turn to me with a I'm-doing-
Fou-a-faVor air and comment that
tneyl be glad to come to see me play
III send them tickets. They seem
% be quite oblivious to the fact that
'ney are asking me to give them my
Gonimodity while they ask me to pay
ms highest price they dare ask for
,helrs' When you get down to the
cotton Of the matter that is the exac,
situation, for what ability I have &c
act Is my stock in trade just as much
ts the hats Of my milliner the gowns
OF my modiste or the butter and egg,
VI my grocer are their stock In trade
u would be Just as reasonable for me
" walk into store and nonchalantly
cay mat would like hat I had seer
10 the window II the owner would senc
over TO me free OF cost"
custom has made the difference be
'Ween your commodity and that Of 6
oos'umer or designer" Mr.. Belascc
suggested.
Yes admitted the lady. But why
what am trying to get at is the rea
son Tor any such state of conscious
ness on the part Of the public.
snow 1t Is so, but I don't understand
why It is so. Amusement is just a
much an essential to the world as but
yer and eggs. And being an essential
" should be gladly paid for"
think" said Mr.. Belasco. "tha
you may find the answer to your cues
Va IN the fact that there is no genera
ea'lzatlon Of what you have Just said
lou know and I know, and there ar,
soHe others who know. that the theatr
ono Of the biggest and stronges
.t"uehces in the life of a nation. Blu
we average man on the street doesn'
a,'%e this. To him the theatre 4
''S' a place in which to be amused