New O'Reilly Children's Book

[BettyO]

It seems artists over the years have portrayed him both with a hat and sometimes without one. Would it have have been strange for Booth to keep his hat on (providing he brought one)-in the theater?

No -- as far as I know, etiquette stated that if he was in a "public place" such as a theatre, he could keep his hat on; although that he would remove it in the presence of ladies. If he were escorting ladies to the theatre or sitting with them, he would of course remove his hat upon seating the ladies and then himself. However, a lady would keep her bonnet and gloves on the entire time!