The New York Clipper (April 1905)

166 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER. Apbil 8. H155 CIipper'5 Anecdotes, Personalities and Comments, C0NCCBN1NQ STAGE FOLK and Some times OTHERS BT J OBBPHINB GEO. Three weeks Is a long time (or a vauds- vllle act to hold tie boards. This proof of popularity was accorded the team, Bert Howard and Leona Bland, who recently gave the 8an Francisco Orpheum audiences that many weeks of entertainment. Howard's dash and celerity on the keyboard of the piano la only little short of marvelous, and his execution of the popular rag time never falls a rousing encore. Once, however, he was asked to desist In told. Jokes were repeated on the manager, will not even glance at the portrait of their Into Sir Michael's house, bat leads the grand- who on this occasion failed to resent this lltt,e grandson, which Richard carries about father and grandmother to suppose that the r.„m.. 7»li!?f!» « it™. £!ir- «,! ,n kl» pocket The sweetness of the young young wife has gone away forever, taking H. B. Irving stated: ^At present we actor,, familiar treatment It came, Anally, the w!ft .^ the prattle of his grandson com- the boy with her. In their dismay the old turn of J. Bernard Dyllyn to tell a story and give a toast It waa noticed that be re- strained his anal freedom of speech, and one of the party exclaimed: "Go on, Dyllyn, give ui a story on cor worthy manager." "Not met" exclaimed the comedian, with deep meaning In hli eye as he glanced toward the other comedian at the head of the table. "Not me I I don't care to get too familiar. Yon see, familiarity often areed* o two tccckt' lay off." the performance of this sort of matlc—not because It offended, but because It wa» de- ......... laying tie noontime duties of the help to ^' n ^ n f^«»«^ the kitchen of a hotel In Paducah, Ky. _2**?* * I m sorry I can t bs The proprietor liked this eccentric sort of 1 ~ musical tempo, and encouraged Howard In however, to put the old couple right with each other. This Is brought about by Cap- V tain Plerrepolnt, a staunch friend of Rich- A popular comedian, who last season had ard's, who smuggles the boy and his mother a good part in a New York production, waa ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ once approached by a member of the com- ss^^=!S!^=KS5=s=^^^=s^^^= pany on the subject of an all night game of poker, which waa to follow the Saturday night performance. He shook his bead In the negative at the alluring invitation which pletely win the grandfather over, and be couple open tbelr hearts to each other, and visits the flat of the young couple frequently, the secret-^-everybody's secret—Is out at last The one thing tbat still troubles blm though In the conversation with the Paris corre- 1s the fact that he is obliged to keep bis spondont of a local paper a few days ago, visits a secret from Lady Parkes. While be Sarah Bernhardt confirmed the statement Is making one of bis visits there Is a ring that she will visit London shortly for one at the belt The young couple, strangely night only and appear In "Angelo, the Ty- agttated, bundle the old man out of the room rant of the Paua, n with her company at the Into another apartment Then they admit Albert Hall. The fee agreed upon Is $4,000. their visitor, who tarns out to be Lady The visit was arranged by an American man- Parkea She, too, has put aside ber pre- ager, whom lime. Bernhardt could not name, indices, and the scene In which she clasps The performance will be In aid of a hospital the little boy to ber breast Is one of the which the treat actress could not specify. most touching In the play. It still remains, Mme. Bernhardt baa Just signed a contract 'of couple right with to commence a tour In England by appearing at the Coronet Theatre, Nottlng 11111. on June 19. She will be seen In her new play, "An- gelo," for which sbe Is having special scenery the performance of It on the piano In the big "I know why," said one of them, btnter- Ingly, "he's afraid of his wife I" I thought you pretended to be the heat parlor which adjoined the dining room of the . ' -^» £■ °™»™« "»■ {, J , \)>t vour family," exclaimed another, hotel. One noon time, while watting In this room for his wife to Join him at luncheon, Howard sat down to the. instrument, which stood near to the door, and for fifteen minutes rattled off, In rapid succession, several popu- lar rag time compositions. For a few minutes the guests at the tables seemed to enjoy the music, then gradually their faces began to assume expressions of annoyance. The cause of this was afterward ascertained to be an unusual delay In the service of their luncheon orders. Finally the head waiter ' "Well, so I am," ssld the comedian roe- folly, "bat heads are controlled by necks tbat torn the heads—while I'm the head of my family, my wife Is the neck." «»» OCR LONDON LETTER. f>ok oua own cobbbspohdint. Clipper Bureau, 48 Crinbonrne Street, Leicester Square, London, W. O. In my last letter I mentioned that Maxlne came out and, apologetically touching How- EUioU^wouM ^ooa t^m.« ~i By arrangement with Charles 1 Tom B. Davis, manager of the engagement B. Dillingham ! Lyric Theatre, makes the announcement that In succession to "The Talk of the Town." be will present Miss Elliott In the Clyde fitch play, "Her Own Way." The season Is an- nounced to begin on Easter Monday night, nnd must, however, be limited to four weeks, 8b Martin Harvey, who has consented to postpone bis revival of "Hamlet" for a few days, must begin there on May 22. Bhould another theatre not be available at once Miss Elliott will play a special week at the Thea- "ilrmlE " she was serving behind the counter of a florist's shop, they are vastly Indignant, refuse to recognize their daughter-in-law, and ard's shoulder, said: "Please, Mister Howard, an' won't yon kindly stop playln' Insinuate music? Kf you don't, we can't get through luncheon, Suh." "Why I" exclaimed the pianist, "what has my playing got to do with luncheon!" "Ev'ythlng, Suh I" replied the head waiter. "I can't get a smltch 0' service f'om de help, jjgfc. jMarOii 1 * ftp* * WL^i* 22. Sub. Yo'see, yo'rag time hez done set every | nlggah's feet to steppln', out In the kl'chen, tte'RoVaY'BfrmlnghYmT an' cake walkln' Is goln' on all orah de place, "Everybody's Secret" the comedy adapted an' de bo'der. In de d.n.n' room Is all gettln' * ffig^ASS SffiSSSS mad fo' sumpln to eat—so dat's why I has 14, Before I start In on the story I wish to to nsk yo' to decslst In yo' pe'formance, Bah." say tbat this little play brings to a close the _ long and successful partnership of Harrison * & Maude, as managers of the Haymarket During the Howard and Bland engagement For the past nine years or more tbls house at Louisville, Ky., last November, Howard has been the borne of humor and sentiment \ 11 1.1. 1 im 7. ii mo in hnnf in* rt was No * toT *&* • tor 7 : Blr Michael and Lady spent all his leisure time In banting. It was parke(| we an ^ fainl0M( , coupI()i full 0 ', his dally custom to take a long run, in affection for each other, and tbelr only flannels and heavy white sweater, down a son. Lieutenant Richard Parkea The one a iTIji— r. n „, +h. ,i*-, in niiMvins forms fault that they possess In common Is a cer- road leading from the city to outlying rarms. |K Mrrow m i naedI1MB wltn Te ~ ra t0 c i aBI The planlst-actor noticed that a certain lanky distinction and social conventions. When Individual, bearing all the ball marks of the tbey discover, therefore, tbat their son has i.i... _..«•• -n„>o nnt nt hu madilda barn been secretly married for five years past to "hay seed, came out of h s roaasiae earn whQ j MquatatMIC . ne ' mnA * wbno every time he passed the little farm, and curiously watched blm out of sight One day, as Howard was passing at a Jog trot, the man balled him. "Be you one o' them air prise fighters?" he asked. "Indeed I'm not," replied Howard, with- out, however, offering any Information as to bis calling, an enlightenment evidently de- sired by the farmer. "Be you one 0' them athletics!" persisted the countryman. "No, that isn't in my line," sail Howard. "Well, what you dola' of then?" said the farmer. "I seen you galllvsntln' op an' down this road every day." "Just walking fast," was Howard's reply, as be turned away to resume bis exercise. "Say, you!" yelled the farmer, evidently angry at not having his curiosity gratified, "say, I know what you be—i/ou're a dam- phulel" Then, slopping tbe leg of bis Jean trousers, be exclaimed, half to himself and half to Howard, "I guess bo won't ferglt that In a hurry 1" 9 Leona Bland has a story concerning an officious constable, wbo laid legal hands on a friend of ber husband, a commercial traveler. The constable was evidently on the lookout for an offender of the law, and, of the mistaken Impression that Howard's friend answered the description of the man he was after. Walking up to the traveler a few mlnutcB after the latter had registered at the hotel desk, be said In a suspicious tone thnt offended the traveler: "Wot's yer name?" "I don't know that It's any of your busi- ness?" was the reply. "I'll show you tbet It Is my business," sold the officer of the law In nn offensively officious manner, "I'm the constable—I am— now, wot's yer name?" "Jones," replied the gentleman, giving his correct name, which, however, tho man doubted, "Don't b'lcve It I" cxclnlmcd he, "thcl's too common a nnmc. I'm a-goln' to commit you If yon can't provo n lullaby." "A what I" cxclnlmcd the traveler, "A lullaby, thet's wot I scd—a scientific nnmo fcr i/ou icus neither hero nor there, so where tens yout" said the learned constable, with a manner of Imparling valuable In- formation. Jones proved n lullaby n few minutes Inter by being Identified by Mr. and Urn. Howard. 9 The company to which this bnppy couple once belonged was celebrating the birthday of the star-proprietor. Whllo not under the jolly spell of anniversaries and similar occa- sions where Insplrnttng beverages are passed around, this manager Is apt to resent any un- invited familiarity on the part of members of his company. He has been known "notlco" to tho perpetrator of such a of professional ethics. At tho banquet, during which all, Including the manager himself, became very hilarious— for he hnd provided bountifully with drink- ables—toasts were proposed and stories were BUSH AND GORDON, COMIQUES, Wilt celebrate the fifth anniversary of their partnership June 10. During the time they have been in tbe field they have firmly established themselves as prime favorites with the patrons of high class vaudeville, having played the leading variety theatres, and for two seasons were Identified with spectacular productions. The Toledo Times, speaking of their work, states: "Bush and Gordon, acrobatic comedians, present a turn that Is brimful of good things. Most of their material la new and of a high class, and the turn Is one of the best on the bill. It pleased tbe bouse and they received the credit the act merits." Their new act Is meeting with success wherever it Is presented, and tbelr time Is rapidly filling for next season. made for London, and will also appear In "La Sorclere" and "Adrlenne Lecouvreur." Tbe great tragedlenn may also produce a play called "La Cicatrice," by her son, Maurice Bernhardt. The event of her tour In England will bo her appearance on the same stage as Mrs. Patrick Campbell, at Manchester and Liverpool, In "Pelleas and Melieaude." A fortnight ago "La Belle Marseillaise," a new drama, by Pierre Berton, was pro- duced at the Paris Amblgu with such success as to induce Charles Frobman to secure the English and American rights In tbe piece. The action of the story begins In Paris In the year 1815, and Is concerned with tbe advent- ures of a fascinating lady whose husband, having lent his clothes to a fellow conspira- tor to enable him to escape from the anger of Napoleon, is supposed to have been killed. Subsequently "La Belle Marseillaise" Is ordered by the emperor to marry one of bis alde-dc-camps. But, aware of the fact which she cannot declare, that ber husband is still alive, tbe dilemma In which the poor woman finds herself may be imagined. Tbe part is said to be one of the most humorous and effective seen upon tbe Paris stage since tbe days of Madame Sana-Gene, The Hicks Theatre Is expected to be opened on Boxing Day, under the direction of Charles Frobman, with a modern musical play, writ- ten by Seymour Hicks and Cosmo Hamilton, to the called "The Beauty of Bath," a charac- ter specially designed lor Its Impersonator, Emaline Terries, with Mr. Hicks In the part of the hero. Tbls entertainment will furnish the evening bill, while for afternoon perform- ances, Mr. Frohman will produce on tbe same day a fairy play. It looks now as if Bernard Shaw's plays were at last to receive the general favor of the playgoers In London, Managers Vedrenne nnd Barker have exploited them at the Court Theatre during the Winter with gratifying results, and the king commanded a perform- ance of "John Bull's Other Island.' r Mana- gers are now said to be falling over one an- other to get plays from blm. One well known actor-manager contemplates putting on an old play of his, and a certain American pro- ducer has expressed a desire for Mr. Shaw to accept a commission for a new comedy. Mr. Shaw, although he Is a radical in poli- tics, Is very conservative In business matters, and if tbe men who have produced his plays In the past want to produce them In the future, the newcomers won't oust them. A characteristic and absolutely true story about Mr. Shaw's business method is told by a well known actor who wanted to revive a certnin play of his In London three or four years ago. Tbe actor had not a great deal of money, but he was prepared to risk some of It In taking a theatre and putting on tbls piny. To get the play be had first of ail to see tho author, and Mr. Shaw was down In the country some distance from London. To htm the actor went, and having explained what be wanted, asked Mr. Shaw his terms The reply was ten per cent, of the gross re- ceipts. The actor explained that his bank was very small, tbat the venture was in tho nature of nn experiment, and that he could TONY LUIIELSICI, WhoBO picture Is shown above. Is one of tho pioneer developers of popular priced vaudeville in the middle West and on the Pacific coast. From tbe Mississippi Itlver to the Pacific Ocean bis name Is familiar in every town of prominence as a purveyor of the beat In vaude- ville, at prices to fit the people's purses. Although be has been engaged in the promotion of -^ r —, --- —— -» .__ vaudeville entertainments for only a little more than two years, he has, through enterprise not P«y s ° much unless it turned out a b! surpassed by few men. established himself permanently in a position to command the best ? UCCC . BB ; _ w . r ' Shaw was Inexorable. He tol> fruits of his efforts. As president and general manager of the Affiliated Western Vaudeville Circuits. Mr. Lubelskl Is in command of more than fifty active vaudeville theatres, stretch- ing westward and northwestward from Denver. He Is managing director of the Lubelskl Novelty circuit of theatres, a chain of bouses numbering more Individual theatres under one ownership than can be found In a like circuit of theatres anywhere. He is president of tbe Novelty Theatre, Oakland, a house admitted to be the handsomest vaudeville theatre, at tbe .,> „i„. prices charged for admission. In tho United States. He Is also president of the Grand Tho- '«<» a bright Idea suddenly to give atr . Rcn0( Nev- . th6 N 0Te i t y Theatre, Vnllujo, Cnl., and the Novolty Arcade, Oakland. He * ent *° the '* le * Ta P, n ° mee _ breach la vice president of tbe Flschcr-Rebman Theatre Co., controlling Fischer's Theatre, San i Ur, ., 81iaw: Ca , n ' J 18 -™ th Francisco; Is vice president of the Novelty Moving Picture circuit and a director In the "8 L" circuit of vaudeville theatres. He also holds the honorary position of vice president of tbe Western Vaudeville Managers' Association, of San Francisco. Aside from these In- terests Mr. Lubelskl Is constantly promoting other theatres and other enterprises which will tend to enhance his extensive holdings and numerous amusement interests In the field wherein he has made himself to much a factor for the good of the vaudeville fraternity at large. the actor to have nothing to do with the play—thnt he would only lose his money. After some further conversation, In which Mr. Shaw refused to alter his terms one Icta, the actor bad to leave to catch bis train back to London. When he arrived at Water- ' struck him. He and wired off to the play for noth- ing?" A couple of hours later tbe reply come: "Certainly." That was all Mr. Shaw said In his message, and that telegram was as good as a contract from blm. Every actor and actress In this country has been anked to Join the new Actors' Union, tbe enticing advantages being "nothing to pay and everything to gain." Theprellmln- nry manifesto Issued by Seymour HlcLi ana H. B. Irving stated: ''At present we have no Independent ana self-supportfnc body to represent our Interests. Such in stltutlons as we may possess are to a vert great extent, If not entirely, dependant on tbe support and liberality of managers. The alma of the Actors' Union will be many from tbe starting of our own trade Journal to the establishment of a private commute' to deal with loans to the many actors whi earn from $30 to S3S a week and upwards some of whom are absolutely driven to the worst kind of suffering—that of keeping ur appearances on nothing, being, as they are unable, from sentimental reasons, to apply to a benevolent fund. Then, again, there Is the question of movable life policies for deal lng with advances on salary during rehearsa' time. Tbe union's funds are to be supplier, as follows: If every actor and actress wli--- Joins the Actors' Union will, when asked to play for any benefit fno matter of what kind), say, If they are desirous of playing 'I shall be delighted; will you kindly for ward one guinea to the society I am a mem ber of?' We should be creating a fund which. In a very short space of time, would grow to be a very large one." On April 6 the present run of "The Free- dom of Suzanne," In London, will be sus- pended, and on April 8, Marie Tempest and the entire company will sail for New York, where they will play for a season of four weeks at the Empire Theatre. With the com- pany Charles Frohman Is sending out will be not only the business staff ana stage me- chanics, but also the properties and scenery. After the sbort New York season, Miss Tem- rst will sail back on May 24, and on June resume In London the Interrupted run of her husband's successful play. Leading theatrical and variety agents, In- cluding George Alexander, Beerbohm Tree and George Edwardes, met at the House of Com- mons last Tuesday to try and arrange a com- promise by which the long existing conflict between the playhouses and the music halls may be composed. The result of the meeting has not been announced. "Lady Madcap," which Is meeting with such great success at the Prince of Wales Theatre, has Just passed Its one hundredth performance. "The Orchid," at the Gaiety, reached Its five hundredth representation last Wednesday, when virtually a new second act was provided. On Monday night last "The Walls of Jericho" celebrated its one hun- dredth performance at the Garrlck- Arrangements have lust been concluded for a new enterprise which Is fixed to commence on May 15, though It may be a few days later, at the Waldorf Theatre, which Is now nearly completed. Tbls scheme, which Is to Inaugurate the Shuberts' new theatre, Is an ambitious one, possessing many striking and novel features, not tbe least of which is the fact that ordinary prices will be charged. It Is Intended, for Instance, to diversify the performance. Opera is to share Its attrac- tiveness with dramatic performances by an Italian company, at the head of which will be the great actress, Eleanors Duse. Tbe present plan Is to give six evening and three afternoon performances each week, bnt how many of these will be opera and how many devoted to plays has not been decided. Tbat Mme. Calve will appear In the opera, "Adrlenne Lecouvreur," is, however, certain, and that Slgnora Duse will appear In the play of the same name Is also assured. The two great artistes hare been notified of this arrangement, and have felicitated each other upon the pleasure It will give them to see each other in London at the same theatre. Mme. Calve Is said to be particularly en- thusiastic In regard to the scheme. During the season, which will be under the direction of Henry Russell, many of the great Italian operas will be performed, and possibly some of the French and German ones also. In addition to Mme. Calve Mr. Russell has made contracts for tbls season with Slgnora An- cona. Bond, De Lucia and Edouard de Iteszke. The prices for botb opera and drama will be the regular theatre rates. Captain Basil Hood 1b to prepare the Eng- lish version of the libretto for a light opera which M. Sadou Is writing for George Ed- wardes. As stated many months ago, Dr. Hugo Felix, the Viennese composer, will write the music. As a sequence to Charles Frohman's new plans, Frank Curzon has come to an arrange- ment with Ethel Irving, by which that actress will become a manageress at the Criterion Theatre. MIsb Irving has secured e new mod- ern three-act drama comedy, by Mme. Gres- sne, author of "The Marriage of Kitty," and Pierre Vcber. It Is entitled "Cuou," an Eng- lish version of which has been, written by Charles Brookfleld. Miss Irving will begin her season In Easter week. Tbe date announced for tbe new comedy by J. M. Barrle, In which Ellen Terry Is to nppear at the Duke of York's Theatre, Is April 6. Eleanora Duse has offered a prize of $1,000 for the beBt play oy an Italian author, sub- mitted to her for performance. A daughter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Forbes-ltobertson. Mrs. Robertson is a sis- ter of Maxlne Elliott. I forgot to name the actors and actresses to appear with Maxlne Elliott In "Her Own way," at the Lyric Theatre, They are: Fanny Addison Pitt Nellie Thome, Georgle Lawrence, Clara Mesereau, Suzanne Perry, Charles Cherry. James Carew, B. C. Hart and Frederick Wallace. "America's Lads In Blue," Kronau's mili- tary spectacle "sensation," opened at the London Hippodrome last Monday. The act has been widely advertised and Is sure to make a lit. I believe the Bhow has been very successful In America. The current repre- sentation Is a very elaborate one and far In advance of the former ones. The production Is strictly military, Illustrating tbe life, work and habits of a military regiment In the State of Indlann, and are drilled and In- structed In every detail of artillery, Infantry nnd coast defense practice. Gnssle Fraenkel Is a featured member of the cast, and assumes the character of a Red Cross nurse, and In- troduces a catchy Bong, "The Robe of Gray." I resent Indications point to a long and pros- perous engagement. I wish to thank Herbert, of dog fame, for sending me the blotting paper, ft comes In very handy. Mr. Herbert's latest blotter is attractive and shows several of his dogs looping the loop. ■ McPhee and Hill sailed for America last Wednesday on the Teutonic. They will re- turn ere many months have gono by. Robert Baker, of the Robinson Baker Trio, sailed for the states on the same day, he leaving on the hnlser Wllhelm der GroBse. Mr. Baker has not been home In three years nnd returns this time with something good. Tho good thing Is "The Magic Crucible," which was a hit at the London Pavilion. Lou Koblnson, Mr. liaker s sister, remains In London as she has been quite 111 for the past few weeks. Madge Jackson, an English girl and non- £rofesslonnl, and Gus Luken, of tbe Four ukenB, were married In London last Monday afternoon. Tho bride Is a very protty girl of a pronounced English type. During the even- ing a reception was held, many prominent professionals attending. A pleasing musical programme was given. Among the gifts tbe handsomest one I saw was one given to Mrs. Lultcn by Mr. and Mrs. Hsrry Luken. It was a chest of silver. Rackett and Hazard write from Dublin, where they played last week: "As you can see by the Inclosed hanger, we are one of tbe three big features here tbls week, as we were n Belfast last week, and are making a big hit In fact, our act Is going stronger all over the tour than ever before. This Is our seventh week on the tour." It appears that after all Putney Is to have a music hall. High Street Is the location. At