The New York Clipper (April 1905)

218 THE 25-TEW YORK CLIPPER. APBIL 22. indoles, Personalities aid Comments, CONCIBNINO STAGE FOLK and Sometimes OTHERS BY JOSEPHINE GEO. Those of the theatrical profession who have bad one-nlghtstand experience* In •mall towns—and most of them have—will recall amusing Incidents concerning local peoplo with whom they ma; come In con- tact The local constab'es, tor Instance, frequently canae complications that are an- noying at the time, though laughable after- wards. I'eter Seymour, the clever black face sing- ing and dancing comedian, relates a story about the arrest, for a supposed offence, of the heavy man of the company with which he was touring the South. They opened a new opera house in which the management had put up various stringent rules. One was to the effect that no smoking was allowed on the premises. The constable, who was new In his official capacity, used his prerogative of free ad- mission to all parts of the house. Be was on hand early to enforce rules, and Inci- dentally to see the sbow from the entrance. He was deeply interested In the progress of the plsy, when suddenly his nostrils were assailed with the odor of tobacco smoke. Keenly alive to the fact that a chance to show hla authority was here presented, he miffed vigorously, then set out on his search for the source of the smoke, fie found It In the person of the heavy man of the com- pany, who was puffing complacently at a cigar while awaiting his cue. "Here, you, show feller," said he, laying his hand on the arm of the actor, "Jea put that there seegar out or I'll put you out I'm the constable, an' here to make the rulea of this opery bouse good" "But I mustn't put It out," said the heavy man, "my smoking Is part of the 'business' of the play." At that moment his cue waa given and be rushed on the stage with bla lighted cigar, where the leading woman had a scene with him In which she began plead- ing wltb him to give up hla bad habits of drinking and amoklng. "See," abe exclaimed, "tee what a perni- cious example you are to our young son, who has already begun to follow In your foot- steps. Give, up your evil habits, I beg of you—give up your drinking and smoking." "I shall do nothing of the kind," care- lessly replied the cruel husband, regarding his wife with a cold, scornful expression as he leisurely puffed at his cigar. "Yea, yew will tew," exclaimed the con- stable, who had followed the law breaker on to the stage and took hold of his coat collar. "The lady wants yew to quit amokln', an' so do I. Tew hev retimed an' 'coldln' tew the law yew'll come along with me," and with this declaration he waa about to drag the actor from the scene. Meantime the leading woman comprehended the reason ot the intrusion and quickly tried to save the scene and get the man away by an interpola- tion of lines. "0, do not take my misguided husband f-om me," she pleaded, "hut, If you must do so, let mo first have a few last words with him, then he will meet you outside." "I'll be goll durncd If I will," exclaimed the constable. "I told him to quit smoking, na 'twas agin the law, but be kep on doln' It, an' now, b'gosh, he's got to go to the calcboose," and the burly countryman dragged the actor Into the wlnga, where the stage manager tried to explain to him bla mistake. It took the presence of the pro- prietor, however, to convince the constable that ho had exceeded his newly vested au- thority, after which the play waa permitted to proceed. 9 I'niiln Edwards, the winsome star of "Win- some Winnie," perpetrated another epigram n few days ago. Of a friend who weakly wished for things Instead of putting forth the energy to get them, she said : "I'oor fellow I the troublo Is with his anatomy. He has a wishbone Instead of a backbone." » Dclmar and Dexter, two clever enter- In Intra, relate a long series of Incidents that liavc occurred to them during tbelr profes- sional tour, besides recounting some tunny rciunrks made ti.v the people with whom they came In contact In tbelr travels. At oue place, where they were entertain- ing In a town hall, one of the ushers was taken III, The old man who had charge of tho hall called a young chap by name, who was passing the entrance, and snld: "You go home an' ask your pa If you can come aver to the hall tonight an' help out on the ushorin'. If he scz 'yes,' then you hustle bnt-k here an' I'll practice you out In U8liorln\" 9 At one place where Dclmar and Dexter wero playing with a company, an orchestra rehearsal was called. After waiting for this orgnnlzntlon for about twenty minutes, In- quiry concerning It was made of the Janitor. "He'll bo hero Boon, I'm sure," was tho reply, which was Immediately followed by the arrival of n small, dried up old fellow, with a battered violin under bis arm. As ho proceeded to tuue bis Instrument, he re- marked to the manager of the show : "1 would hev been here sooner, hut my wlfo wouldn't let me come till I'd finished weedln' the garden." 9 "1 wonder what some of our professional friends, who have long New York engage- ments, would sny when told of some of the 'opera houses' that we play when out on the road," said Dclmar one day. "For Instance," continued tho performer, "the place of entertainment nt llenlcla, Cal., is over the Jail; In Bants Monica It la in the hlg public bath bouse, at Long Beach it is In the tabernacle, at Ballnac it la cr:r a livery stable. However, the main object of the tour is accomplished, for at all these places business has been most excellent" 9 The Iste Maurice Barrymore once related a laughable incident tbat occurred during tha early days of bis career. He and a comedian member of a company found themselves stranded In a small tows. The day was warm and, as Barrymore phrased It, "our tongues were banging out for want of a cool drink of beer." The two young actors had five cents be- tween them, which meant the price of but one glass. As they passed a saloon, the cool Ol R LONDON LETTER. VB011 Ol'B OWN COBBISPONDINT. Clipper Dnresns, 48 Cranbonrne Street, Leicester Square, London, W. C. Ann, 8. The story of "Lad/ Ben." a new comedy. by George P. Bancroft, which waa pet on at tbe Comedy Theatre last week, follows: A woman of thirty-two. married and unhappy, falls desperately In love with a young man ten years younger. She Is clear eyed and sees what the future will be for her. but she loves the boy too well to Imperil bis career In the way he desires, and so she goes for a voyage around the world. When she returns, six months afterward, tbe young man, Harry Bailantyne, is on tbe eve of being married. There ends the first part of the play, In two acts. The other two are devoted to a hunt all right. The comedy only met with moder- ate approval, and Indications are that it will not have a long life. Three hundred and fifty men are now dally engaged on the work of completing and decorating the Waldorf Theatre, where the notable season of opera and drama la soon to commence. The main entrance la at the corner of Aldwycb and Catherine Streets, Im- mediately facing on to the Strand. The front Is built of white Portland stone, and Is of a free classic design, and architecturally very effective. The crush-room, or vestibule. Is a large apartment, thirty by twenty, the design of which Is carried out in selected mar- bles, and from It marble staircases lead np to areas circle and down to stalls. Within the auditorium, which contains three tiers, namely, dress circle, family circle and gallery, tbe scheme of architecture is wholly of the Louis Quatorze period. Each tier recedes from the curtain line, so that the effect ob- tained is light and graceful Special boxes and retiring rooms have been provided for WILLIAM J. HOLPIN. The above cut Is a good likeness of tbe late Wllilaut J. Ilolpin, who died March 11, on the Paplnta stock farm, near Walnut Creek, California. Mr. Holpln, who waa the husband and manager of Paplnta, tbe popular dancer, was In his younger days an athlete, and was widely known In sporting and theatrical circles. Upon his marriage to Paplnta he devoted his time to managing her and Improving ber act, and many of the electrical effects used by her were due to hTs inventive genius. A few years ago the purchase, by Paplnta, of her stock farm, added greatly to Mr. Holpln's responsibilities, for he undertook Its general supervision. In conjunction with the management of bis wife's vaudeville work. the king snd the ground landlord, tbe Duke of Bedford. Artists have Just finished the painting on the celling, and tbe decorations below have been carried as far as the top of the proscenium opening. The scheme of color for the auditorium Is Rose do Barrl. but to tbls a slight relief will be given by the neu- tral green of tbe tapestries ind coverings of tbe scats. All the seating, Mr. Bprague, the architect says. Is to be well spaced so as to secure comfort and safety, but tbe arrange- ment for the ground floor has not been set- tled. Probably, however, In accordance .with the custom which obtains In opera time, stalls only will be provided there. Sydney Grundy has finished snd handed to Beerbohm Tree the manuscript of his version of Octave Mlrbeau's drama, "Lea Affaires sont les Affaires." The piece will be pre- sented at His Majesty's Theatre under the title of "Business fa Business." In his adap- tation Mr. Grundy has transplanted the story to England, the action passing at the princi- pal character's country house, near London. After a week's trial, tbe Jury gave Captain Fraser $15,000 damages In bis salt against George Edwardes. It will be remembered that the plaintiff contended that, having sub- mitted the scenario and lyrics of on Oriental play, called "The Hanjlabn," which Mr. Ed- wardes tentatively accepted, it was thrown back on his hands and the Ideas contained In It plagiarized for the benefit of "The Cln- galee, which was produced afterwards at Daly's Theatre wltb such great success. The case attracted considerable attention from those Interested in the theatrical world, and also from outsiders, as the local press gave lots of space every day to the examining of witnesses, among whom were authors, com- posers, managers and players. The verdict was a surprise to the snowing ones. It Is stated that Mr. Edwardes has formulated a code for bl8 dealings In future with aspiring dramatists. He will not permit to be opened, let alone read, any play by any author what- ever, unless first the writer has signed a printed form of indemnity. If Mr. Edwardes reads a play, and It la not absolutely suitable for production as it stands, he will only ac- cept It on the following terms: He will say to the author, unless he is one upon whom Mr. Edwardes can Implicitly rely to carry out all the alterations he requires—"Very well, I think your play has something In it, but It is of no avail to me In Its present shape. I will give you $500, or some ap- proximate sum, for It, and it will then be- come my absolute property." If the author phade ot which presented a most Inviting retreat for the thirsty Thespians, Barry more's companion exclaimed : "I have it!" and proceeded to detail his plan. "Ten chances tbat we both have a drink, to one that we don't As I'll take the rlek of being put out of the place, you give me the nickel to pay for tbe glass of beer in case my ruae don't work. Follow me." Barrymore followed his friend Into the place, but, as previously arranged 'between the two, he did not advance to the bar with him. "I happen to be abort of change," said the actor to the bartender, "but do you take stamps?" "Ves, once In a while," said the man who dispensed cooling beverages. "Well, then, I'll take a glass ot beer," said tbe actor. It was drawn from ths iced keg and the foaming glass was pushed to- ward tbe thirsty actor, who raised It with a silent. toast directed to Barrymore, then quickly consigned It to that part of him where It would do him the greatest good. Placing the empty glass on the bar he stepped back about three feet, then began stepping, in measured rhythm, In one spot. He had made about a dozen steps, during which time the bartender and othera in tbe place looked on with wonderment at hla peculiar action. Finally the bartender ex- claimed : "What are you stamping there for, like an Idiot!" "Paying for the beer—you told me you took stamps," said the actor. "Walk up, all of you," said the bartender, with a grim smile; "beer Is free for tbe next tea minutes. Stamps ain't legal tender after today, though." And "Barry" walked up with the othera »■ » VIRGINIA. Norfolk.—At the Academy of Music (Otto Wells, local manager) Amelia Bingham drew exceedingly well April 7. "Cousin Kate" fol- lowed, 8, to very fair returns. Forbes Itobert- oon presented "Hamlet," to the capacity, 11. With this attraction the regular theatrical scneon practically closed. Chnrlcs B. Han- ford Is booked for May 8. Giianuv (Otto Wells, local manager).— llustncss week of 10 1ms been exceedingly good. "Arizona" 17-22. Iluou (Abb Smith, manager).—In addition to tho regular stock "people, week of 17, are: The Threo Hubers, Kldd Bros., Warren Sis- ters nud Harry Morchend. Business Is good. Acus (Wllkerson & Mantle, managers).— New people week of 17: Francis Sisters, the Tares Devotos, Robert Costley, Blaln, Mc- Nulty and Armsden, and Prof. Wllkerson's moving pictures. Business Is good. Manhattan (Crlnnlnn Bros., managers).— 1'cople week of 17: Woodvllle and Moore, Itice and Adams, Parker and Florence, the Ilrcwcrs, Jack Moore, Bessie La Belle, Soph'a Illnnchard and Will S. Beecber. Business Is very good. AuDiTomuu (J. M. Barton, manager).— New people week of 17 : Manito Martin, Wylcy and Wylson, Mack and Sonora, Clay Sisters, Hamilton nnd Wiley, Lnrke and Adams, Prof. Weston and Chas. E. Rentz. Business Is very good. ■ Richmond.—At the Academy of Music (Chns. W. Rex, manager) "The Flayer Maid" canceled April 10. Forbes Robertson, In "llnmlet," IS; house dark 17-22, "Ben Hur" 2-1-29. Buorj (Wella k McKcc, managers).—Week of 10, "Arizona" played to crowded houses. "The Convict's Daughter" 17-22. THE FIVE DURANDS. This versatile family consists of Mr. and Mrs. Howard W. Durand and their three children (Jessie, Dexter snd Stella), all of whom are excellent musicians, who play a large number of slnndnrd, as well as novelty Instruments, and reading high grade music at sight. They have all virtually spent their. Uvea In the profession, the children having been cradled In a trunk, In tbe dressing room, while tbe parents were on the stage. Tbey have flayed everything from the "tank towns" to the largest cities, and for Ave years were on lie lyceum platform, In this city and vicinity. For the last six years they bave played com- binations, limine had extended experience In both the dramatic and vaudeville field, but have adhered mostly ti tho latter. Their specialties Include ventriloquism, marionettes, single, double and big Ave musical acts, sister acts, singing, dancing and character turns, sketches, black face farces, etc. They have made Greater New York their home for a num- ber ot yeare, and are now In their third season with M. Henry Walsh's Crystalplex Carnival Band snd Orchestra. for a bundle of love letters. Bailantyne, tbe elder, has been told by his son of the episode, and decides that he will get the letters by keeping an appointment made by Lady Ben. Of course the husband, who has a confederate In bis wife's French mnld, catches tbe father with the love letters in his hand. A short struggle, and the packet, tied In pink ribbon, In In his hands and his wife Is In his power. To save bis son, Bailantyne pretends that the letters are bis own. It seems that Lady Ben has the curious taste of tying receipted bills, as well as love letters, in pins: ribbon, nnd. of course, she substitutes the one bundle for tbe other—an easy matter—as her husband leaves bis overcoat conveniently close to her. She gets tho love letters jnd burns them. There Is also a little mix up regarding a thousand pound loan Lady Ben made to Hurry before ber trip around the world, but In the end everything comes out consents, Mr. Edwardes will have the play rewritten to his requirements, and the origi- nator of tbe Idea will bave no further claim on tbe piece, or any connection with it what- ever. An Interesting event is promised at the Court Theatre for the afternoon of May 23. It Is the production of Bernsrd Shaw's "Man and the Superman." Tbe play, at full length, is la four acts, and would, I am Informed, occupy seven and a half hours In perform- ance. In the stage version tbe entire tb'rd act is omitted, but the author, In writing the Flay, planned it eo as to make tbls possible. t will therefore be no mutilation of Mr. Show's work, but a complete play In the form contemplated by him. Last Monday nlgbt "The 8carlet Pimper- nel" registered Its 100th performance it tbe New Theatre, and the occasion waa utilized by Julln Nellson nnd Fred Terry for the pre- sentation to each member of the audience -f an extremely dainty and attractive sonvec - The title of the play is very neatly symbollj i by the design of the cover, while within s-« to be found numerous photographic HlustrV tlons, admirably reproduced, of tbe prlcch <i scenes and characters In tbe drama. On • - last page appears a copy of the song, "EIq-. rado, which, as delivered by Miss Nellsi.-i forms one of the most attractive features • f the flrat act. Robert Conrtneldge will, by arrangeme t with Tom B. Davis, produce at the Lyric Tb" atre In the middle of August a musical oli entitled "The Blue Moon/' Tbls play, wb" n was mentioned during the trial of "The CI i galee" caae, was written before either Can tain Fraser's "Hanjlabn" or Mr. Tanner'« "The CIngalee," and Is said to possess man» points of resemblance to the former. n'« author was the lste Harold Ellis, and tbe music Is by Howard Talbot and Paul Ruben* The story of 'The Blue Moon" Is an Eastern one, being, In fact, laid In Ceylon. Last Wednesday night was a banner one In the history of tbe London theatrical world On that night Charles Frohman produced af tbe Duke of York's Theatre J. M. Barrle'j new play, "Alice Sit by the Fire," with Eller Terry in the leading role. Among those who figure In the company besides Miss Terry ire Gerald du Maurier, C. Aubrey Smith, A. r' Matthews, Kenneth Douglas, A. W. Baskomt Willie Ward, Hilda Trevelyan, Lettice Fal ; ' fax, Pauline Chaae, Ella Q. May, Edith Cra'r and Dora Hole. Mr. Barrle describes h - latest effort in tbe following words: "A plav of today, the action taking place within «. period of one day." Three acts sre to. ployed In the development of tbe plot Tlta Brand has now completed all arrange- ments for her coming season at tbe Shaftes- bury Theatre, which begins a week from to- night. "Othello" Is the play selected for the opening performance, and will be supplanted during Holy Week, by the old morality play "Everyman." in which Edith Wynne Matthl- son will, by the conrtesy of Henry Irving, be seen In her original part Miss Brand will appear as Knowledge. There will be a gala night at Covent Oar- den Opera on the occasion of the visit of the King of Spain. He will arrive in London on Monday, June 6, and remain unt'l Saturday 10. Thursday night will most probably be chosen for the gala at Covent Garden. Charles Frohman has arranged with Marie Tempest to continue under his management throughout the coming year. After her re- turn from New York and reappearance In London Bhe will make a tour of the principal cities in the provinces, and late In the Autumn appear in a new play at one of Mr. Frohman's London theatres. Henry Irvlng's season of four weeks at the Drury Lane will commence April 20, when Tennyson's play of "Becket" will be presented for a fortnight, with Mr. Irving in tbe leading role. "Becket" was originally produced at the old Lyceum Theatre, In 1803, and proved one of his greatest successes. Directly upon the return of Jean Rlche- pln to Paris he addressed to Mrs. Brown Potter a letter expressing bis appreciation of the manner in which bis play, "Du Barry," had been presented et the Savoy Theatre. "I am still," so his letter runs, under the charm of your original creation, which Is at once both spiritual and impassioned, and of your attitudes—sometimes mutinous, some- times tragic and always Imprinted with rare beauty, a noble pride and an exquisite grace Your Du Barry appears to me one of the most splendid figures I bave seen dnrlng my dramatic career. I hasten once more to offer you my homage." Charies Hawtrey cabled from America tbat be will return to London In June, when he hopes to play a season here. Oswald Stoll has adopted a novel method of dealing wltb those English professionals who declare they never have an opportunity of appearing before a London manager. On April 27 be will place the Empire Theatre, Holloway, at the disposal of these aspirants. There will be a matinee performance, lasting five hours, and at least sixty of these ag- grieved English artists will each bave, In a five minutes' turn, an opportulty of securing an engagement with Moss Empires. The Judges will be several London music ball managers. Jordan and Harvey closed the'r successful London Pavilion engagement last Saturday night At the finish tbelr act was going very strong, and a prolongation would nave been a wise move on tbe part of the manage- ment. New cards, however, prevented this. Tbey sail for South Africa May 20, and will be away from England until Sent. 4, when they open at Brighton. I am told they come to tbe Pavilion again In the Fall. Colonel Borde^erry, tbe famouB marksman, who has been at the Lyceum for a month, sails for New York today. He will make his American debut at tbe New York Hippo- drome. Hla act Is truly a wonderful one and well worth witnessing. Bud Snyder, tbe trick 'cyclist, sails on tbe same boat Mr. Snyder, who closed a long engagement at tbe Empire on Saturday night last has been away from tbe States for several years and baa played all tbe Important tours In England, has had long London engagements st the Palace, Pa- vilion and the Empire, and has even Jour- neyed to South America, where, owing to the climate, he waa unable to do much work. Mr. Snyder returns with a lot of new apparatus, such as a piano, typewriter, cblme bells, etc Alfred Graham, who has been for tbe past seven years manager of the Palace Theatre, Hull, leaves that theatre very soon for Mid- dlesbrough, where be Intends to locate as pro- prietor of the Oxford Music Hall. A second edition of "The Dancing Doll," enlivened by a number of new features, was given at the Empire last Monday nlgbt Fred Farren and Fred Walton, who bave been In pantomime, rejoined tbe company. Tbe latter Is doing his little tin soldier business, which Is always sure of a cordial reception. For these two there is also a new duet Mr. Far- ren figuring In It as a Jack-in-the-box; a marionette dance and a monkey doll dance are also comprised In tbe edition. Mile. Genee still remains the bright particular star of the ballet. The next divertissement due at this house in June will be by Mr. Wllbelm. Captsln Hodglna and his Union Gatl'ng Guards, who bave been a feature at tbe Coli- seum for the past six weeks, In tbelr big spectacle, "Port Arthur," stopped proceed- ings at that house on Saturday last, and sailed for America yesterday, on a White Star liner. Captain Hodglna Is of the opinion that our English cousins do not care for a military act of this kind. Tbe act, which waa a big novelty on the continent, and which met with a fair reception at tbe Coliseum, was only favorably received in tbe provinces. I hardly know bow to account tor this short slghtedness on tbe part of the provincial amusement seekers. Oswald Stoll has lately been particularly busy preparing fresh novelties for hla Coli- seum show. Very shortly Queenle Leigh ton will be Been there In a nautical sketch, The Cruise of tbe Great Britain," with an original song by Captain Basil Hood, set to music b.v Walter Slaughter. In this Miss Lelgbton Is to play the part of Lieutenant Arthur Kins- ley, and Gwendolln Anthony that of nls sweetheart. Lady Clare Vere de Vere, while Watty Bunton and Fred Mansell appear as a comic bosum and his mate. Someth'ng rather striking may be expected of s scene representing the deck of His Majesty's ship. Great Britain, Invaded by a fascinating party of English, French, Spanish and Jepanc-^ girls. Further engagements are those o. Rutland Barrlngton, In a scena, entitle! "The Cruel Bea," written by himself, and composed by Walter Slaughter; of Walte: l'assmore, a popular comedian: Bert Gilbert. In an Irish episode, named "Tbe Poacher: of Mabel Love and of Topsy 8Inden, who. It Is stated, will Introduce a piece written