THE MORALITY OF THE STAGE.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 9779, 14 January 1901, Page 1

THE MORALITY OF THE STAGE.

The old question of the morality of the stage Is once more dlsoussed by the English bishops and clergy, This, time it has come op in the Rochester Diooesan Oonferenoe, where several clergymen urged a sweeping ornsade against the Immorality of the English plays and actors. Canon Jelf, who Is well known, declared it was a dreadful thing to see a Christian man taking the part of a murderer, and a Christian woman playing In the oharaoter of a harlot, as was now so oom-< mon in the London theatres. The bishops of Rochester and Southwark, however secured a modiGoatlon of the resolutions, the Bishop of Rochester telling the clergy they would be ashamed to utter snob statements before one delicate, refined woman who was a friend of his in the profession, It was then agreed that stage authors, managers, and artists merely required the watchfal attention of the ohurohm'en. Curiously enough, the last new play, " Mr and Mrs Daventry," produoed at the Royalty Theatre lately, has received scathing orltlclsm on all Bides for its indeoenoy, whioh was not redeemed by the faintest trace of originality 01 cleverness, though the acting of Mrs Patrick Campbell, who has assumed the leading piii't, Is universally praised, This latest exposition of" the sins of aoolety," Is written by Frank Hard?,