Life, 1895-10-10 · page 11 of 18
Life — October 10, 1895 — page 11: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# "Wanted" - Life Magazine Page 235 This page contains a satirical illustration and accompanying theater criticism. The main cartoon, credited to Raffle Raux, depicts a Native American figure sitting against a teepee, sketching or writing plans for theatrical productions. Scattered papers and implements surround him. The text below critiques actor Mr. Whiteside's Broadway performances, suggesting various improvements to his productions. The "Wanted" notice sarcastically requests correspondents interested in organizing a mountain outing in the Rocky Mountains during October-November, with the address humorously listed as "College Graduate, Jackson's Hole, Wyo." The cartoon appears to mock theatrical pretension by contrasting high-brow artistic ambition with frontier simplicity, though the exact satirical point requires knowledge of contemporary theater debates.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
WANTED. I DESIRE TO CORKESPOND WITH PARTIES WISHING DURING THE MONTHS OF OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR. to have gone back. He has acquired more mouthiness and a tendency to rant. Playing before only provincial audiences is apt to give an actor bad habits, and Mr. Whiteside shows the lack of intelligentcriticism, But he seems to be the only hope we have in things Shakespearian, and it seems a pity that he should be relegated to barn-storming. If Mr. Whites wishes to remain in New York LIFE will gladly tell him how to do it. ‘* Hamlet" used to be thought a good play, but it is not quite up-to-date. Ophelia doesn’t wear enough diamonds nor make display of pink tights. Po/onéus ought to have a topical song with something about Roosevelt and the excise laws. Laertes should be played with an Irish brogue and a few yags about getting on the police. If the young lady pall- bearers in the funeral scene could incidentally do a skirt dance it would help out wonderfully. Instead of two grave- diggers there should be fifty, and Vorvck's skull should be gilded. The speeches should be cut and Mr. Charles Hoyt engaged to supply some clever dialogue. Solid silver souve- ould be given away every third performance. A few bloodhounds ought to be run across the stage at regular TO TAKE AN OUTING IN THE WILDEST PART OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS AvbkEsS: “COLLEGE Grapuate,” Jackson's Hote, Wyo. intervals. A close finish of the Derby with real horses and real jockeys might be made to take the place of the sword combat in the lastact. A tank of Croton water for Ophelia to drown in and a fire-engine with soap-lathered horses would add local color. If these features were added to “ Hamlet,” and if each of the daily newspapers were paid for a half- column advertise- aS = ment every day, Mr. Whiteside might be able to remain in New York and attract, New York audiences. As it is, he will have to content himself with brief, infre- quent and unprofit- able its to America’s metrop- olis. “Like WHO TRUSTS TO SUMMER SKIES Metcalfe. ASD PUTS HIS LITTLE BARK TO C."