The Mormons and the Theatre; or, The History of Theatricals in UtahLindsay, John S. (John Shanks)
Religion
The Mormons and the Theatre; or, The History of Theatricals in Utah
Lindsay, John S. (John Shanks)
Latter Day Saints; Theater -- Utah -- History
Several amusing incidents transpired on that eventful evening. First
and most laughable was the following: "Jim" Hardie had a
brother-in-law named "Pat" Lynch. Pat had been clerk of the district
court for a number of years and was well known for a big-hearted,
generous man, his greatest fault being that he would indulge
occasionally too freely in the ardent. "Pat" had loaned "Jim" ten
dollars to help him get a costume for "Pythias" the Academy had no
wardrobe department and "Jim" could not with any grace attempt to
borrow one from the Salt Lake Theatre. It would appear he had promised
to get an advance as soon as the box office had begun to take in
money, and Pat had expected the return of his money that day; at all
events, he was present at the play, occupying a front seat in the
parquette. He had been indulging freely, and his sight was not so
clear as usual; besides, he had the character of Pythias and Dionysius
mixed in his imagination. Mr. Potter was playing Dionysius, and as he
strode on at the rise of the curtain and began to speak, Pat mistook
him for Hardie and bawled out at the top of his voice, "See here,
Dionysius, where's that ten dollars you owe me?" Potter was filled
with consternation; Pat's friends who were with him succeeded in
quieting him and Potter made another start, this time without
interruption. Pat had discovered his mistake, that he had dunned the
wrong man, and it took but little persuasion to get him to leave the
theatre. Hardie, behind the scenes waiting for his entrance, and
fearing a second explosion when he should make his appearance, was
immensely relieved to see from the side wings Pat's companions lead
him up the aisle and out of the theatre. Potter, not aware but what it
was one of his numerous creditors dunning him, when he made his first
exit, threw up his hands in dismay, and said to Lyne in the wings: "My
G--d, they won't give me any peace! Even dunning me from the
audience." When Lyne, who had caught the truth of the matter,
explained to him, he was greatly relieved.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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