The New York Clipper (April 1905)

138 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER. Apru, i # Mi$$ (Tipper^ fioecdotes, Personalities and Comments, CONCtBNlHO STIGE FOLK and Sometimes OTHERS BX J OSEPHINE! GEO. That the art of Billy Emerson, the fa- mous minstrel, still has a potent Influence upon his contemporaries and followers, was proved not long ago In an Interview with Carroll Johnson. This popular minstrel was being complimented on his wonderful abili- ties In his line of entertainment One of his admirers went so far as to declare his work equal to that of Billy Emerson. 'I'm proud to be mentioned In the same class, but I tell you, boys," said Johnson, "neither I, nor any other In this business, could touch his work, nor ever will. lie was alone In It. Why, he put new life and his unsurpassable art Into everything he did on the stage. lie ica$ Bmerion — the rett of ua are nnly Emcrtontant." 9 Little Gabriel, of "Buster Brown" fame, was asked at one time If he felt any sensitive- ness about his diminutive size. "No," said he, "I've been that way for such a long time that I'm quite used to my size." 9 When Interrogated concerning his parents, the fact was elicited that Gabriel's father was a well to do tailor In Providence, It. I. Drawing his healthy young thirty-eight pounds up to Its forty-two Inches of height, tne clever little actor, adding to the previous \ bit of information concerning bis father, ex- claimed : "lie cut me rather short, didn't he!" 9 Martin Ilcaly, of the vaudeville team «l Ilnys and Healy, is another clever specimen of lillputlan humanity. Ills name suggests his nationality, and, like the most of them, he possesses the quick wit and humor attributed to Ireland's sons. Ills size snd comedian like proportions subject the little fellow to n lot of curiosity, and the questions that nre put to him on this subject would fill a book. One night, during bis engagement at the Duqucsno Theatre, Pittsburg, he stepped Into a cafe near by for a refreshing glass of beer, for his turn that night had been more than strenuous. A man with the same purpose In view waa about to raise his foaming- g'nss to his lips when be noticed the little comedian. In his act of refreshing the Inner man, watch- ing him curiously to the bitter end and neg- lecting his own beverage. Finally, unable to control bis wonder, he approached the little maa and asked the fallowing foolish ques- tion: "Pardon me I but were you always that small ?" "No," replied Hcniy, with a twinkle In hl9 eye that bis questioner did not see, "no, 1 was once as large as that man there," point- ing to the six foot bar tender. "You don't say so I" exclaimed the man, while his beer grew flat for want of his at- tention. "If you don't mind telling me, I'd like to hear bow you came to be so small." "And so you shall," said Healy, "but It's a long story for a short man to tell, espe- cla'Iy when the short man has a long thirst." "Well, my pockctbook Is long enough to stand the longest kind of a thirst," said the man with unexpected appreciation of Healy's facetious hint, for the stranger's countenance had shown no ability to appreciate the clev- erest of Jokes. He thereupon gave the bar- tender orders for a round of "the same," to be brought to one of the tables. "Now," said the curious one, after they were seated, "how did you get to be so smalt, after being so tall?" "Well, It was this way," began Healy, "at the age of twenty I wns a big, lusty young chap, full grown. I went to spend a week with a cousin of mine who owned a saw mill In a big timber district In Wisconsin. His mill operated one of those big double bladed raws that work through a bit of heavy timber as If It were so much cheese. At this time the mill was working up very large timber for heavy beams, and the two saws were set about two feet apart "At tho time of my visit to the mill It wns noon hour, and the men were dining from their dinner palls, so, while waiting for the time to pass before the saws were again to begin work, I perched my big six foot person at the end of the frame work thnt carried the log on its Inch by Inch trip against the sharp saw edges. Sitting In the cool slindo there at tho end of the big log, waiting for my cousin to reappear at one o'clock, I began to feel drowsy, and finally stretched myself for a nap across tho frame work," and here Healy paused In his recital for another beer. "Go on—go on," exclaimed bis listener, scenting a tragic ending to Healy's nap. "Well," snld Ilcaly, "when I woke up I was tho size you now see me. The middle third of me Is missing. It was this way: The machinery had been started up at one o'clock nnd no one hnd noticed me stretched asleep at the end of the log across the carry ing frnme. After cutting through the length of the log the big saws went through roe at lightning speed and I was cut In three— not two—In three seconds. My pieces fell Into the pile of saw dust below, nnd. In tho honor nnd rush of the accident, the men found only the two end thirds of me. These they t-arcfully conveyed to the hospital, whore a clever surgeon, sewed them together —and here I om, the size you see me. I'm the only really, truly 'sawed ofl' In exist- ence." "And what became of the other piece?" w>kcd the listener, aware for some time that the little man had been jollying him. "Well," replied the diminutive comedian, after a moment's thought, "they tell us that 'dust wc are and to dust we will return,' to I guess the other third that fell Into the law dual went back to that sort of dost" "Well," exclaimed the listener, to the group of other listeners who had gathered about the table during Healy's exciting nar- rative, "all yon fellows here duat op lively at the bar and get what yon like best It'a np to me." ♦ While on the subject of small folks I am reminded of a' remark made In the hearing of a friend who attended a matinee per- formance at the Majestic not long ago. "Buster Brown" was on the boards, and The Royal Comic Opera Company* sea- son at Her Majesty's was brought to a close on Friday night, when Florence young, who Is sailing today for America, bad a brilliant ■end off. ,«.„•. On Saturday night Williamson's English Opera Co. opened with "Cousin Kate." "Blnbad the Sailor" has entered upon Its eighth week at the Theatre Royal, and con- tinues to draw splendidly, bnt will be with- drawn at the end of the week In order to make room for Win. Anderson's Dramatic Co. New attractions have been added to the programme at Rlckard Opera House, Includ- ing novel turns by the Fernandei May Trio. At the Adelaide Theatre Rlckards tea a strong company, Including Nlta Leete, with her illustrated songs, featuring "The Man with the Udder and the Hose," to repeated encores nightly. nOUOTIIY KENTON, "The Girl with the Banjo," is now playing an eight weeks' engagement at the Tlvoll Masle Hall, London, Bag. On her first appearance at that house Miss Kenton waa given a most enthusiastic reception and won her audience at once. A most pleasing appearance adds greatly to Miss Kenton's offering. Other halls are played In connection with the Tlvoll, and the young lady will probably remain in London for some time. OUR LOUDON LETTER. nSOU OUB OWN COMtESrOHDHNT. Clipper Bureaw, _. ... 48 Cranboarae Street, Leicester Square, London, W. C. Mabch 13. Since returning from America Charles Froh- man has been a very busy individual and ap- pears to be the man In the theatrical world cu London. Every day I learn of Important deals he has made He has defla tely settled with Lena Ashwell that she shall create the name part In C. M. 8. McLollan's pay, "Leah Kleschna," which Mr. Frohman Intends to produce at a West-End theatre about Easter. This will be Miss Ashwell's first appearance at a West-End theatre since the conclusion of her very successful provincial tour. As stated In last week's letter, Mr. Frohman will revive "The School Girl" In thla city, May 1. for a run of seven weeks. Edna Mav win, or course, head the cast, and two new faces will be seen in the musical play, namely, Fred Wright and Fred Leslie Jr. Miss May will rest during July and August, and at present Mr. Frohman'a Intentions are to take her back to America In the Fall It is possible he may change his mind, however, and star her at the Vaudeville Theatre In this city. Henry Irving Is bo far convalescent that he has been able to sign the contract with Charles Frohman for the long contemplated American tonr, which will open October neit Other arrangements Include the starring of Fay Davis Tn an American comedy, "Mrs. Lemngwell's Boots," and the production of the big holiday success, "Peter Pan, or the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up," In New York. Last, but not least, Seymour Hicks and his wife, Ellalne Terr'3s, have Just signed agree- ments with the same manager to play under his direction for the next Ave years. Willie tfdouln made a hit of no small size in the farce, "Off the Rank," which was done at the Strand Theatre last Saturday night Mr. Edouln appears first as a London cab- man domiciled at the house of a worthy police magistrate after a night at a Covent Garden ball spent with the stipendiary's son. To account for the cabman's presence In ao respectable a household, he hides h's own Identity In a series of dlseulsea First he la seen as a kindly uncle of his hostess, borne after long absence from India. Then, Intro- duced as a plumber to repair the cistern pipes, he, In more senses than one, gets Into hot water. Driven to further extremity for aelf concealment the truculent cabby as- sumes both In dress and demeanor the char- acter of a fashionable milliner. The farce ends as all do. George Edwardes has plenty to occupy his attention at present Rehearsals of M. Mes- sager's comic opera, "Les Petlte's MIchus," adapted by Henry Hamilton Into "Two Little Girls," are being pressed forward actively at Daly's Theatre, while steps are being taken to prepare a successor to "The Orchid," at the Gaiety Theatre. The name of the latter, "The SpringChicken," was announced some time ago. When the piece 1b produced the present Gaiety company will be reinforced by the addition of Kate Cutler. For the cast of "Two Little Maids" Mr. Edwardes is bring- ing back Adrlenne Angarde from America, while Robert Evett leaves the Lyric Theatre in order to Join the Daly company. Louis Bradfleld Is also to play an Important part, but George Graves will have the pick of the basket as a choleric French general. Another character has been assigned to Kate Bishop, and for that of the bourgeois grocer, whose troubles spring from the mixing up of two tables, while In their bath, in such a manner as to leave the Identity of both Indeterminate. Mr. Edwardes hopes to secure the services of a well known popular low comedian. Mr. Edwardes, I might also add, has Just ac- quired the English rights in Jules Lemaltre's new comedy, "La Masslere," la which M. Gultry and Mile. Brandes have lately achieved a striking success in Paris. It seems un- usual- to look out of the Clippeu Bureau window and not see a crowd waiting in line Little Gabriel was amusing by his antics not only the tota of his own size, but all the elder folk as well. During Intermission a little chap seated la the audience and dressed like the popular favorite, exclaimed In a loud whisper: "Mamma 1" "Yes, my son," answered the lady who accompanied him, "what la it?" "Say, Mamma, didn't yon tell me It wa* vulgar to Bay luit, the other day, when I bursted my big rubber ball?" "Yes, dearie," said the lady, "the word 1b coarse, and no little gentleman uses It" "Then Mr. Brown Is ao gentleman to call his nice little boy*'Busier,'" exclaimed the youngster with juvenile logic. "He should have called him 'Burster Brown.'" a n OCR AUSTRALIAN LETTER, VBOM OUB OWN COR8B8P0NDXNT. Stdsbi, Fib. 13. J. C. Williamson has struck oil with his repertory opera company at Her Majesty's Theatre. On Saturday lost they revived "Iolantbe," which has not been performed here since 1000, and although stronger casts have interpreted the piece previously, It Is doubtful whether the public accepted It with more enthusiasm and applause than they have this present one. Tho house was packed and the piece went with a bang. At the Lyceum Geo, llusgrove's Dramatic Co., headed by Nellie Stewart have made a §rent success with "Old Heidelberg," and no oubt this is prolonging the success of the season at thla popular theatre. However, owing to other arrangements the final mati- nee of this German comedy Is to be given on Wednesday, as on Saturday next Nellie Stewart will make her first appearnce as Comllle No doubt Bland Holt has struck a winner In his latest production, entitled "The Best of Friends," at the Theatre Royal. His sea- son has extended now for nearly twelve months and Is to be concluded at Easter, and this play has brought him In more money than any piece he has staged In Sydney. At the Tlvoll the bright and clever com- bination that Is presented attracts good houses, at the afternoon and evening per- porruances. The Sisters O'Meers havo mad* a welcome reappearance in their tight wlro achievements, while Gregson and Good- fellow have also repeated their former suc- cess. Fanny Powers, who gives wonderful Imitations of different favorites, Is very pop- ular with Tlvoll patrons. Fred Millie, the ventriloquist: Cleopatra, tho "acrpont en- chantrcss;" Fred Bluett and Ford and Bont- ley were also well received. Mr. Ulckards announces tho reappearance, for a brief fare- well season, of tlackenschmldt. the great wrestler, who challenges all comers on stated terms. Tomorrow evening the new players of the Farklns-Foldesy combination will make their Australian debut at the Town Hall. The company consists of Elizabeth Parkins. Mar- garet Thomas, Whltworth Mltton, M. Victor Marmont and Ilerr Foldesy. The season will be short, as Miss Fnrklns has to sing again at the Convent Garden Opera House In Slay next. In Melbourne Tlttell Bruno has achieved a triumph In "Camlllc," it the Princess Tbea tre. THE HERAS FAMILY, World renowned acrobats, have been known to the American amusement going public for many years. Their act was one of the first acrobatic specialties to be presented here in evening dress, and they have always kept pace with every Improvement known in their line of work. They execute the most marvelous feats requiring acrobatic agility with con- summate ease and grace, and rank high among the feature acts in American and European vaudeville. They will present their specialty thla Spring and Summer either in vaudeville or with a leading circus. Lkvina and Arlington write as follows: "We are still on the Empire circuit (our sev- enth week), playing on the Southern Cali- fornia circuit, playing the Grand, San Diego; Broadway. Los Angeles, and all the best houses on Wm. Weston's chain of thea- tres. We are booked for five weeks, and then play the Northwest again." for the doors of Daly's Theatre to be opened. Last Saturday a company of over forty nctors and actresses from the Gaiety Thea- tre sailed on the Briton for South Africa, where they are booked to play for eighteen months under the direction of B. and F. Wheeler. Myles Clifton. George Grundy, Arthur Staples, Daisy Wallace, Maud Throne, Millie Vere and Anna Hlckllsh were so-nc .# the principals who left. They will ,",!«? In "The Orchid." "The Clngalee?' "Lad \' ?/ cap," "Madame Sherry "* "Veronlq^- % "The Duchesa of Dantilc" Beerbobm ">. means to return, for a time, to n. sl~ drama. The present run of "Much a £ About Nothing^ will terminate on Marc'.V? at HIb Majesty's Theatre, and •TjMB Shadow" will be revived for a limited ''nn, ber of performances. Later on the mv>n»p of the theatre will produce Sydney Gruui'. adaptation of "Lea Affaires sont It-' it faires," by arrangement with George "iff ander, who holds the English rlgbu ami announced some time ago that ho u.mld Produce Robert Hlchen's version of C>. ■,.. Ilrbeau'a play. * e Although the Autumn drama at the fjrurv Lane Theatre will, as usual, not be ',aal until September next arrangements for tre production are now rapidly being pushed for ward. It Is generally known that the next new play at this house will be "The Pr^-iim Son, by Hall Calne. a romance that hasi.cea translated and published in every Eurutetn language. Spectacle will enter lagely into the attraction of the drama, and at orient Arthur Collins 1b on a visit to Hall Cain* >t St Morltz, settling details of the sccnerr prominent In which will be vivid pictures 6f grim Norway, with a realistic snow ciorm contrasted with the environment of Monte Carlo, aa a background for the gambling episode. * Quite a novel performance was given at the Oxford Town Hall recently. It was in the nature of a "Hamlet" without scenery The performance had a background mercy of delicate draperies, and the purists were overjoyed by the absolute simplicity of the mounting, which added greatly to the stately dignity of Shakespeare's lines. The cast In- cluded Beerbohm, as Hamlet; Henry Neville Claudius; Mr. Havlland, Ghost; Lionel Brough, Gravedlgger, and Mrs. Forbes Iiob- ertson, Ophelia. At the close of the show Mr. Tree was given eight curtain calls. Tlta Brand, an English actress, is about to enter Into management on her own ac- count, and has taken over the Shaftesbury Theatre for a season. Her choice for her Initial venture Is to be "Othello," in which Miss Brand will appear as Desdemona. The names J. H. Barnes, George Trollopp and Hubert Carter are mentioned by Miss Brand as likely to fill the Important parts in the cast The first night of the season will be April 10. About Easter Henri De Tries will make his appearance at a West End Theatre, in a new three act comedy, a story of a univer- sity town, adapted from the German of Leo Stein, by Arthur Sturgess. The present title for this play Is "Town or Gown, 1 ' and Cam- bridge la to be the university of the English version. This week Frank Curzon put Into rehearsal an entirely new musical play, the book and lyrics of which are by W. H. Risque, and the music by Howard Talbot Mr. Risque li known as a very clever writer for the lyric stage, and Howard Talbot was the composer of "A Chinese Honeymoon." Arthur Wllllamj will be in the cast, and Millie Legarde will be Its heroine. The Mrs. Brown Potter and Gilbert Hare production of "Du Barrl," which was prom lsed for last Saturday nlgbt but did not come off, Is now slated for tonight at the Savoy, and as I have been sent a ticket for the opening. It looks to me as it there would be no postponement this time. Arrangements are being made with a view to Maxine Elliott appearing In London soon In Clyde Fitch's play, "Her Own Way." An- other one of Cbarlcs Frohman'a deals. Sydney Jones Is writing the music for a light opera which will be produced next year by George Edwardes at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Ben Webster shortly goes to New York to take up the leading male character In "His Highness, My Husband," with Ellis Jeffreys. Martin Harvey failed to get the Lyceum for a few weeks engagement, so he now an- nounces the production of "The Breed of the Treshnms in London for January next. At the conclusion of the run of "Leah Kleschna," Lena Asbwell has arranged to go Into partnership with William Greet. A first class West End theatre, it la said, will be secured. Mr. Greet will be responsible In the main for the business end of the venture, while Miss Ashwell will control the stage. The plays selected will naturally afford spe- cial scope for Miss Ashwell's talents, but the new management will be fairly catholic In their choice of plays, and it may sometimes happen that Miss Ashwell will play a small, effective part, rather than the nominal lead- ing one. Mr. Greet and Miss Ashwell have Induced Mr. McLellnn to accept a commission to write l new play for them, while one of the first of their productions will be Michael Morton's adaptation of Maurice Donnay's "Olseaux de Passage," which he has just fin- ished. Other plays ky prominent authors are also in contemplation. There has been a sudden change In the management of the Tlvoll Music Hall, and there are, accordingly, all sorts of rumors as to the future of the ball. However, It Is stated on very good authority that there will be nothing but a change in the business staff of the house Joseph Wilson, from the Avenue Theatre, succeeds Arthur Yates In the posi- tion of joint acting manager. I hardly think that the Tlvoll will break away from the Payne syndicate for the present Ira A. Miller arrived In London last week. and was a Bureau caller the early part of current week. Mr. Miller enforms me that Mr. Shapiro Is also In London, and will open a branch office very shortly. A matinee will take place at the London Pavilion In May, In aid of a special fund for an endowment cot to be placed in the Belgrave Hospital for Children, Clapliain Road, In memory of the late Dan Leno. The cost of the cot will be about $5,000. Banks Winter tells me that the clever Keaton Family are to come to London town January, 10O6, which isn't as far off as It seems at first Unfortunately I have only seen the clever family once, but have henrd from many friends of their great success. I am looking forward to the time when I will have the pleasure of meeting them, and I hope I will be on hand on their opening night In this country. The wife of Mr. Conn, of Conn and Cnn- rsd, Is seriously 111. An operation was re- formed on the lady several months ago, but It was not as successful as expected. The duo had to cancel their engagement at Now- port a week ago, and hasten to town because of a set back to Mrs. Conn. The Empire Theatre, Hanley, was rconcii'd a week ago on the two houses nightly s>s- tern. The management is In the bands >f Alfred Edwardes. The London offices of H. B. Marine!!!. L«ug Acre, W. C., were burned out a fortniHit ago. The firm has opened new offices ■' >« 1b now located at Charing Crosn House, ""•» Charing Cross Road, W. C. The Chamberllns are at the Palace Tlt'-i- tre, Hull, this week. After a long engu-.-e- ment at the Hippodrome they began a p"- vlnlcal tour at Sheffield last week, and, Ju-is- lng from a newspaper clipping of the ah-.-.j, they outclassed the top of the bill, Sn. ■■ field Is the native town of the man vn topped the bill, and as be Is a big favor.je everywhere, the Chamberllns deserve all ■ > e more credit for the hit they made. I »'» told by Mr. Chnmberlln's letter that So< 7 and West were the laughing hit of the sh- "• while Bnrr and Evans ^'manufactured" mi> u applause. . .. Starr and Leslie, two American enterfr. -it- ers, who have so long been away from An • - lea as to be rather forgotten, are ay B nicely In this country. On a trip from !>■ •>• port to Nottingham a fortnight ago the wr gage van of the train on which they »•«