The New York Clipper (March 1903)

DRAMATIC. VAUDEVILLE. CIRCUS. Copyrighted, 1903, by tbe Frank Queen Publishing Company (Limited) Founded by PRANK QUEEN, 1853. NEW YORK, MAEQH 7, 1903. VOLUME Ll.-No. 8. Price- 10 Cants. H155 0ipper'5 tatts, Personalities aid Counts, OONCSBNIKQ ST1GE FOLK and Sometimes OTHERS BY JOSEPHINE OHO. Tbe acton of the old school ue to few these days, that when once In a while one of them, atlll clinging to the old methods, happens to be engaged In a company, he la often an object of amusement. The carica- tured Impersonation of the stranded actor, tbe burlesqued tones of voice and enuncia- tion, however, are often not exaggerated so much u the playgoer of today Imagines. An old actor of this description who takes himself as seriously off tbe stage aa on It, Is a member of a company now play- 00 log an engagement In New York. As he was a friend of the leading man's father that actor secnfed the position for him on the strength of that old friendship, though the small part he plays would be better done by a less pedantic player. During the rehearsals he had frequently been curtly criticised by the stage manager, who had suggested that he did not want the quiet and up-to-date atmosphere of the play to be disturbed by the somewhat ranting de- livery of the few tines the old man was re- ' bears!ng In the old time, declamatory man- ner. 'After he had several times objected to the old fellow's reading, that actor drawing his lean figure op In offended dignity, said slowly and with rolling B's: "if yon will ke-Indly Indicate to men con- cisely tbe macner-r in which you wish men to conduct me par-rt In this production, I will endearor-r-r to the best of me ability, to carry out yonr-r most esteemed wishes." The manager was kept busy tbe following few minutes explaining mlnoetly to the old man how each line should be read and how, even to tbe slightest gesture, the buel- ness should be done. All this afforded Im- mense amusement to tbe others of the com- pany for they detected the desire on the part of the olid actor to cause the manager as much trouble aa possible, for he consumed much of that gentleman's valuable time In inking minute directions regarding much un- important business. At one point In a scene, It was a part of bis stsge bnstness to sign a document: "ton will sign here," said the manager indicating-the paper lying apon the table, with a sweeping gesture that Included the pen and Inkstand. At this the old man, still offended, yet knowing, that his stay with the company depended on doing as the stage manager wished, loftily asked: "Ah, yes. But flr-rst tell me, do I use re-al Ink, or shall I be obliged (pedantically enunciating the word) to simulate InkT" "I'll leave that much of the stage bnstness to your own discretion," replied the mana- ger In a voice that both Impatience and amusement might be detected. Thereafter, Sothern's production of "Hamlet," one of bla favorite playa As the down-stairs seats bsd all been disposed of before he applied, be was obliged to he content with on* In the gallery, where he soon forgot his dis- tance from the stage. His enjoyment how- ever was at times Interrupted by ejacula- tions of discontent that came from the on- appreciative auditor at his left, who finally nudging him In the arm, asked: "Wot's the name of this 'ere play, any WEBBw uk& «*& a«( |1 m ■. k ,J '■: *^' : ■'•*>££ ^4 be permitted the old man to give his ows conception of the small part rather than to be obliged to explain every word and ges- ture One day the comedian of tbe company who was Inclined to bs somewhat familiar with the old school actor, much to that person's disgust, facetiously poked htm In tbe ribs. This uninvited familiarity Jarred upon his exalted tense of his own dignity and position and with lofty mien, and in angry voice, he exclaimed: "Don't yon do that—don't you ever be so familiar with me again, Blr-ri Great tragedians, ere now,' have died from being poked In the ribs by low comedians." As he had no matinee one day recently, and being an ardent admirer of Shakespeare, be took this opportunity of seeing Edward bow?" "Tbe title of this grand tragedy," said he In auperlor manner as If pitying tbe other's Ignorance, "Is 'Hamlet', written by William Bhakeapeare, more than two hun- dred years ago." "Well, It's goll darn poor stuff to be a-glvtn' us nowa-days when there's a plenty of other good plays," answered tbe unsp- preclatlve ope in disgusted voice. "It ain't true anyway," he added. The old actor, pained at tbe other's lack of imagination, commlseratlngly answered: "I might reply to yon in tbe words of our eeteemed contemporary, Henry Irving, who aald, 'What Is It to us whether those things be true or not, so long as ws can persnads ourselves Into tbe temporary belief of them, and enjoy sll the charm of reality; there Is nothing like resolute, good humored ore- Mity In these matters.'" At this anawer which appeared to be "over his bead," the unapprectatlve one subsided Into his seat for a few minutes, then again Interrupting tbe old actor's contemplation of tbe stage, exclaimed: "I don't know wot kerdulty Is, but wot- ever it is, I sin' got enough of It to stick this here play out,—move yer feet so I can git by," and the nnSppreclatlve one noisily shuttled up the gallery aisle. 9 Apropos of the old school of acting, Ed win Booth, who was an exponent of that school In his earlier days, was also one of the first to begin to sdopt the) quieter methods of playing powerful parte. Tbe general public of those times were so ac customed to the ranting and loud declama- tion of their favorite players that some- times he failed to plesss certain classes of auditors. Oliver Doud Byron relates that on one occasion Booth noticed that he was not re- celvlng bis usual applause, and that another member of tbe company with hla loud, da clamatory reading of hla lines wss getting more than his share for the small part be was playing. At tbe end of tbe flnt act, Booth said to tbe stage manager: "I don't seem to be making much head- way with the audience to-night. Tbe Jn venlle is wsy ahead of me with tbem, I think during tbe nest act, I'll have to get back a bit Into tbe old wsy and chew s lit- tie scenery." Byron relates that the audience was quickly again with tbe famous tragedian to soon aa he had, in theatrical vernacular, chewed a little scenery. His artistic nature rebelled however Is following up that means of holding his au- diences snd he afterwards, by force of bit quiet and powerful genius, compelled tbt admiration of the public which he never loat ««♦ FOLLOWED INSTBUOTION. A short time ago a printer brought to Dan Daly for Inspection a proof of a new poster, which, after tbe manner of Its kind, announced the actor aa "the distinctively original" comedian, Dan Daly. Mr. Daly did not fully approve of It. "I wish you'd leave out that 'distinctively original' business, I'd much ratW bsvt it simple 'Dan Daly,'" be said. "Very good, Blr." The .next week Dan saw the flrst of bis new bills In position. His request bad been carried ont to the letter. The poster an nonneed tbe coming engagement of: "dimple Dan Daly."—^. 7. Tim*. €