Life, 1911-01-26 · page 9 of 44
Life — January 26, 1911 — page 9: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is a "Prologue" introducing a theatrical satire called "Nothing Serious." The accompanying illustration shows a group of well-dressed figures in what appears to be an elegant social setting—likely representing the theatrical world or high society. The editorial text defends the upcoming satirical treatment of drama, arguing that theatrical folk deserve the same critical scrutiny as any other subject. The editors express concern that theatrical ladies might misunderstand their intentions, worried that actresses will think the satire reflects poorly on their worth or suggests they're too absorbed in drama while neglecting serious matters like government and domestic economy. The caption beneath the illustration presents dialogue mocking orchestral volume during opera performance—a common complaint about theatrical productions. Overall, this is a preface justifying lighthearted satire of the theater world and its participants.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
This Number (Prologue) W* have hesitated for some time to issue this number of Lirr, on ac- count of the painful sense of modesty which is the principal characteristic of all theatrical folk. Their reluctance to sce themselves in print and the quiet and unostentatious manner in which they go about their business are always entitled to the utmost respect. By calling attention, in what will be regarded by many as a trivial tone, to our drama, we shall undoubtedly merit a just meed of criticism; and to treat a subject so serious in any other manner than with the dignity it is entitled to will, we fear, be misconstrued. Our motives will be questioned, our good intentions will be overlooked. In particular we fear that the ladies of the drama will misconceive our pur- pose. Their almost total inability to esti- mate themselves at their proper worth, their shrinking from any publicity where they themselves are concerned and their absorption in other matters, such as gov- ernment, politics, domestic economy, the simple life, to the utter exclusion of their own affairs, is a matter for general con- cern. When they see us, therefore, treating the drama with levity, what must he the unhappy result? Tt must not be forgotten that even our farce comedies and our musical operas have their lighter side. Let us, therefore, without more delay, ring up the curtain on our little side- “WASN'T THE ORCHESTRA TOO LOUD FOR THY VOICES, AUNT?” “NO; I MEARD YOU DISTINCTLY ALL THROUGH THE OPERA. comicbooks.com