| OCR Text |
Show CLEItSiMEV AMI THETI1E.ITKE. Tub most remarkable audience ever eeti in a theatre was gathered recently IiitheShaftesbury Tliealre, Iondon, nt a speciat nialinee. The manager hai conceived the idea to invite a number of eiergyaieii to witness the erformance of the jitay "Judah." Thegetieral isiblic were uot admitted, and the whole audience audi-ence consisted of ministers and their families, about 12J0 being prescnL There were clergymeu of all ags and represeuUng alm-l every shade of religious opinion. The reverend gentlemen, it is said, H ere so pleased with the performance tlut, atils ooni.-!iii.ni, they InsMed on a iecch front the manager, Mr. WHUrd. It U impos-ible to rmd Uie account ac-count of this curious enterUinmeaH whboutnoUHasthe great chirwre otoiintonlhat has taken place in religious circles with regard to the theatrical entertainment an i other anwemeaU. Tnenty years ago probaUy not one ck-rr unu in mod standing coull have len induced to witness a uranialic iierfomnnce, excel on the sly, so strong was the puritanical averslou to all worldly amusements. Now, we Hud it possible pos-sible to nuke up a whole theatrical audience of the gentlemen of tne iwlpit. There is no doubt that Uiis occur-reme occur-reme will hive a tendency It break down the irejuliees that hive existed ex-isted among the ciurch people against tlie thatrs. aninunyof them will become ai regular theatre goers as church goers. |
