TELLS THEATREGOERS THAT ACTING HAS NOT DECLINED

"The theatre is financially a different place but histrionically the same that it was fifty years ago," said Mr. William Seymour when he spoke at a meeting of The Theatregoers Club yesterday afternoon. J. W. D. Seymour '17, who introduced his father, declared that while he had never introduced his father to an audience before, he felt capable of recommending him, for he knew him well and he knew above all, his love for his profession.

"Some say that the theatre is a bad influence," declared Mr. William Saymour, "Some that it is a good one, and some that it is no influence at all. I must disagree with that, for I have seen the repertory company teach the public to be critical. At the Old Boston Museum when the same actors followed each other about the country playing in the same places audiences vied with each other in criticizing the fine points of stage art. Now, of course, such a thing is impossible.

"Once upon a time we started plays at 12 o'clock. We would not give performances on Saturday night, for the Sabbath began at dark. In those days actors were looked upon as almost vagabonds. When Edwin Booth maintained what was then a magnificent theatre in New York a minister wrote him, asking how he might enter by a private door. So the public morality has changed. But the theatre is no better now than fifty years ago.

"I remember the time when every theatre contained all the properties necessary to stage a dozen plays. Now a theatre is four wails and little more. All that goes to make a play is carried by every traveling company. Once, some 40 yeas ago, we began a play without the assurance that the scenery for the faith act would be painted when the act was called.

"Finances in those days were a problem. Once Lawrence Barrett played six tragedies in a week and made $3.46. Edwin Booth in his best days was glad to make $1000 in one week, and that covered expenses of his whole company. I commend the theatre to you in both its past and its present for instruction as well as amusement."

A. L. Finney '27 was elected chairman of the board of critics and has invited all members of the club to apply and outline their qualifications for a position on the board that he may make some choice before the board that he may make some choice before the spring recess. Eliot Long '26, president of the club, announced that arrangements were being made for a tea in honor of Mr. E. E. Clive and his Copley Company.