Theater audiences

At center, mannequin models are being constructed as stand-ins for actors. They are surrounded by scenes of price gouging, poorly attended performances, the use of wooden actors, indifference to customers, and haughty attitudes by theater staff, and the resulting failure of business. Above the main scene are the ghosts of past actors labeled “Booth, Gilbert, Forrest, Cushman, [and] Wallack.”

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1903-12-16

An attractive young woman talks to a handsome young man at the theater. They are discussing the benefits of marriage. Caption: Miss Blossom — But a married man always has some one to share his sorrows, you know! / Jack Bachelor — Not always; – every married man can’t afford to keep a valet and a butler.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1902-04-02

Creator(s)

Ehrhart, S. D. (Samuel D.), approximately 1862-1937

A Jewish family is getting ready to attend the theater. Caption: Mrs. Bernstein (getting ready for the theatre) I see dere vas a real fire-engine in dis blay. / Bernstein (sulkily) Den I von’t go. / Mrs. Bernstein But it eggsblodes on der vay to der fire. / Bernstein (merrily) Hurry up, dear! Ve may be too late!

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1901-10-16

At center is a theater manager, his hands and pockets stuffed with money. Around him are four scenes showing how he manages a scam to extort higher prices for the theater tickets, using scalpers (called “Speculators”) and by bribing the police. A fifth scene shows how the public can change this practice, by not attending the theater productions. Caption: The manager the real culprit.

comments and context

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1900-12-19

David B. Hill appears as a strong man on a stage in a theater, wearing a suit stuffed with straw and medals that state, “I am a Democrat, From Liquor Dealors, [and] Champion of Peanut Politics.” Weights lying around him, also stuffed with straw, are labeled “Powerful Influence Against Cleveland, Anti-Reform Club, Strength with the New York Machine, [and] Hill’s Presidential Prospects.” Edward Murphy Jr. is standing at the “Box Office” in the background and William E. Chandler is the only person in the audience. Caption: [S]tuffed “Strong Man” … Dave Hill / [Trea]surer … Ed. Murphy / [Applau]se Furnished by … Bill Chandler

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1894-04-18

Creator(s)

Opper, Frederick Burr, 1857-1937

A woman and a man sit in chairs at the theater. Caption: “Eyes have they, but they see not.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1914-01-31

Creator(s)

Marchand, E.

In the “Grand National Congressional Theatre” the performance of “Fair Promise Combination No. 47 – Great Reform Bill – Act I Tariff Reform – Act II Civil Service Reform – Act III Internal Revenue Reform” is concluding. The audience is pelting the cast with cats, eggs, onions, turnips, and other vegetables and fruits. Among those on stage are David Davis, Thomas W. Ferry, George M. Robeson, Jay A. Hubbell, Frank Hiscock, Horace F. Page, and William Mahone.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1883-02-28

Creator(s)

Keppler, Joseph Ferdinand, 1838-1894

Giulio Gatti-Casazza, with the trained animals for various operas, and a woman sit in the “celebrated ‘Horseshoe'” section of the opera house. The surrounding vignettes show Alfred Hertz as a young man and as the current conductor, Enrico Caruso, “Italy’s Standing Army,” which is a group of men dressed for the theater, possibly critics, actors with props, and a prima donna too large to “fit the chairs of the period.”

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1915-01-09

Creator(s)

Mayer, Henry, 1868-1954

A man and a woman embrace on a stage beneath the heading “Asbestos” as the theater audience rises to depart.

Collection

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs

Creation Date

1915-01-16

Creator(s)

Mayer, Lou