On the Theater, a Passage -- by Alex Ranieri

No one goes to the theatre to see and be seen anymore—it has been rendered a mere academic exercise. How we should bristle, if we were to read in our fashion magazines today, the advice they gave us a hundred years ago—“For the Opera, only one’s finest things are acceptable—for it is incumbent upon all theatergoers to contribute their part to the place’s glittering effect.”

All our attention is thrust upon the poor actors. They have not a moment’s respite, unless some part of the audience should be gracious enough to go to sleep. What glitter in the audience arrests the distracted eye? There is no brilliance but what may be found onstage—and if it be a modern play, there is likely not much to be found there, either.