Laurel outlook., 1944-09-20
Of New York
by L. L. STEVENSON

dom goes up at the time advertised
The delay ranges from 5 to Is min
utes. Yet no matter how long it is
held, there are always those who
come in after the first act is vel
along. That is true with hit shows
as well as those not in that class,
The assumption would be that those
who pay $3.50 or even $3.50 for a
seat would want to occupy it as long
as possible. The reverse seems to
be true-the higher priced seats are
not filled nearly as quickly as those
that cost less. Attempts have been
made to cure hardness by not seat
ing late arrivals until the end of a
scene. That merely means a rush
period for the ushers. 1t also means
a lot of confusion in the back of the
theater to the consequent discomfort
of those in the rear seats.
It may be only imagination on the
part of one who likes to. be in his
seat long enough before the curtain
rises so he "a read the cast and
the scenes, but it seems as though
the late corners always have seats
well down in front and in the middle
of a row. Thus a lot of people have
to arise and have their toes
trampled-which of course discom-
modes them and in turn discom-
modes those behind because their
view is shut off. By the time the
tardy ones have settled down and the
actors a again be seen and heard,
the illusion is completely dispelled.
The worst of it is that those who
cause the trouble do not seem to
care at all. In too many instances,
instead of sneaking in quietly, they
enter with a clatter of conversation
does not always die out after
they have been seated.
Late pests are bad enough on ordi-
nary nights. They are still worse on
nights. A lot of New York
ers, it seems, attend theater first
not to see but to be seen. One
Of the surest ways to attract atten-
ton is to barge down the aisle after
he lights have been dimmed and
he opening lines spoken. Naturally
reads turn in the direction of the
ntruders and naturally there is a
question as to their identity. If they
to be celebrities, or even
;ome erstwhile movie stars, names
ire Tipped about the theater and the
on the stage are thus forced
o carry on against unfair competi-
ion. AS for those who have come
'ecause they are interested in the
lay, they don't seem to count at
Il. Members of "Cafe society" add
D the general delight by greeting
on their way to their seats
r by arising and calling to them
fter they have been seated.
Another grievance against late
omers is that as they grope their
ray along the row, they knock hats
the racks under the seats or
auSe the owner to do the same
hing. There is no difference in re-
ults in either case-the owner has
} paw around until he finds his
eadgear and all too often, it has
cen kicked about until it has to 60
} the cleaners. That's an item in it.
elf. Hat cleaners have imposed a
} per cent tax on their patrons.
hat is, while it used to cost so cents
have a hat cleaned, the charge
now IS cents. I'm still in favor
a c%ollapsible hat that can be
trust into the coat pocket when not
cling worn. Not only would it
scape damage in the theater but
lere is also the matter of check
e and in New York, the cost of
lecking ones lid night after night
ms into real money.
Other than sheer exhibitionism,
lie. of the reasons for late theater
is New York's dining habits.
Workers who frequent the
mart spots like to linger yer their
,cktails. That of course means that
ey start their dinners late. Some
,tels and restaurants have a spe-
al theater service, the diner tell
G the name of the play which he
to see and the dinner being
,eeded up in accordance with
e curtain time. But New Workers
re to linger over their food just as
ey do over their drinks. And it
'esn't seem to make any differ
yce at all if they do miss most of
first act, no matter what they may
we paid for their tickets-or how
UGH discomfort they cause others.
Traffic conditions are another
use of theater lateneSS. With war
ne restrictions on the gasoline sup
Y, private cars are not used for
eater going. Those who can afford
gh-priced seats as a rule do not
mt to go to them in the subway.
ID there just simply aren't enough