The Mormons and the Theatre or The History of Theatricals in Utah

ring the amusement season is set apart by them in all the settlements throughout Mormondom for their dance night. Their dances are generally under the supervision of the presiding bis

that in almost every town and settlement throughout

its population in the United States, and when we say that, we may as well say in the whole world. It is a we

"shake a leg" with the best of them, and loved to lead the fair matrons and maidens of his flock forth into its giddy, bewildering mazes. Certain round dances, the waltz and polka, were always barre

f. He recognized the natural desire for innocent amusement, and the old axiom "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," had its full weigh

but whether so or not he must be credited with both wisdom and liberality, for

of Nauvoo, before Brigham Young was chief of the Mormon church, under the rule of its original prophet, Joseph Smith, the Mormon people were encouraged in the practice of dancing and going to witness plays. Indeed, the Mormons have always been a fun-loving people; it is

dance hall combined, where they mingled occasionally in the merry dance or sat to witness a play. Then, as later in Salt Lake, their pro

dance and play and have a pleasant social time, excepting, of course, in their days of sore trial. Indeed, they are an

to the new faith. Among others that were attracted to the modern Mecca to look into the claims of the

g support to Edwin Forrest, the elder Booth, Charlotte Cushman, Ellen Tree (before she became Mrs. Charles Kean), besides having starred in all th

ite a sensation in theatrical circles of the time, and illustrates

m the story of his conversion to the Mormon faith. Adams had been to Nauvoo, met the prophet and become one of his most enthusiastic disciples. Adams had been an actor, also, of more than mediocre ability, and as a preacher proved to be one of the most

or, lost no time in hunting up his brother-in-law, "Tom" Lyne, to whom he related with dramatic fervor and religious enthusiasm the story of his wonderful conversion, his subsequent

terested in the Mormon prophet and his new revelation. This proved to be a great help to Elde

decided to rent a theatre, get a company together, and play "Richard III" for a week. Lyne was a native of Philadelphia and at this

Lyne generously donated his share to the new cause in which he had now grown so deeply interested and Elder Adams procured a suitable hall and began his missionary

d for Nauvoo. With a warm letter of introduction from Elder Adams to the prophet, it was not long before Lyne was thoroughly ingratiated in the good graces of the Mormon people. He met the prophet Joseph, was enchanted with hi

nd of his favorite characters, supported by a full Mormon cast, he bade the prophet and his foll

ham Young in the cast; he was selected to play the part of the Peruvian high priest, and is said to have led the singing in the Temple scene where the Peruvians offer up sacrifice and sing the invocation for Rolla's victory. Br

cident in his experience to the writer,

ng cast Brigham Young for t

uired, with

is voice, he replied: "Why don't you see John, he's be

y, who supported "Tom" Lyne, living in Salt Lake. Bishop Clawson,

that Lyne's elecutionary powers would make him a great preacher. But "Tom" had not become sufficiently enthused over the prophet's revelations to abjure the profession he

ectedly as he had come. Having become a convert to the new religion, it was confidently expected that he would remain among the Saints and be one of them; but he

s days. For the last twenty years of his life, he rarely appeared in public except to give a reading occasionally. With his French wife, Madeline, he settled down and took life easy, living cosily in his own cottage, and