The New York Clipper (May 1905)

346 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER. May 27. JUijg CIipper'5 Anecdotes, Personalities CONCIBNINO STAGE FOLK and Some times OTHERS BT J OSEPHINE GEO. The other day Bob Westford 8r.dlico.ei-J Boh Jr. In a quiet corner of the dining room, cn-oavoring to readjust the works of the kitchen clock, which had been out of commls- s'on for two or three weeks, "What on earth did you do that for, Hobby?" asked Westford, "did you want to see how It worked?" "No, Papa," aald Bob Jr., "I wanted to see why It didn't work." 9 John Kendrlck Bangs, whose clever and witty pen re-penned "Lady Teazle" for Lillian Russell's production, received from his small After the curtain went down and the trom- bone player approached the director for his pay, the latter reprimanded him for the In- terruption be had ceased. At the seme time he demanded an explanation. "Well," laid the player, "when I came to take that note It looked aa though there was a big sforzando mark above It, so I played It When the loud sound came from the horn, which was close to the mns'c, It die- turned the fly perched above the note. The fly flew, then I knew I'd made a mistake, but It was too late to rectify It then." 9 BUly Clifford, the "Broadway chappie," tells how he once got his audience back to himself. It had been giving too much atten- tion to e man In the front row of the balcony to salt the funny man on the stage. The man In the audience had been laughing Immoderately at everything done upon the stage for the past twenty minutes, whether or no there was anything to laugh at. He was getting more tban his share of "Billy's" OCR LONDON LETTER. note oca own coaRiapoNDBHT. """• — t—--—- ■ __ mer«rv work laughs, when he gave a louder guffaw then Bl^SrVfSUff SS?-SftlS that took the whole attention of the that proves the truth at home. Shortly before beginning the "Lady Teazle libretto, the writing of which the author humorously avers to have followed the un- flllal cut Inflicted by his son, the humorist was entertaining a few friends at dinner. Literary people naturally fall to "talking shop," discussing books and their authors. This occasion was no exception. The younger Bangs, at the end of a long silence, ex- claimed: . "Bay, Papa, I've been thinking over what you and your friends have been talking about. Now, while I like you the beat, I think that, as a writer of books, Winston Churchill has got you skinned." John Kendrlck Bangs wrote a verse In memoriam, with reference to the damage by Are at the Casino Theatre, Feb. 11, 1805, which very temporarily closed the "Uidy Teazle" engagement there. It was as follows: "I do not often do such things, But once I wrote a play; They had to burn the theatre up To keep the folks away." ? Bonks Winter, of popular fame, la the proud father of an unusually precocious three-year-old eon. Like all fond parents, he not only IlkeB to bear the little chap get off smart sayings, but Is especially pleased to let his friends also get the beneflt of them. In the line of "early education" the family audience from the stage. Finally Clifford exclaimed: "Let the man have hi* lit—it's his. Now look at me I" * At another time, when his Jokes had con- vulsed one of the audience almost to the bursting point, he said: "The difference between that man and myself la that he's laughing for fun, while I'm laughing for two hundred per week." 9 Clifford, In one of his droll talks, refers to the well worn conundrum, "how to catch a squirrel." "Now," says he, "I'll tell you how to catch Billy Clifford. Stand in a corner where I can't see yon, and make a noise like a skirt." 9 A New York newsboy, standing at the corner of Broadway and Forty-aecond Street, was approached by a man, who proved to be a stranger In that locality. "Say, young fellow," said the man, "do you enow where the Broadway Theatre Is?" 'Tee, Sir," said the boy, however without directing the Inquirer to the place, then added, with a world of meaning, "I wish I had a cent for every time I've known where that theatre was since I've stood on this corner." ♦ »♦» ■ STOCK CIRCUIT FORMED. Fifteen managers of stock companies In hnsbeenteachlng the little fellow to spell eltles between Providence, B. I..and Chicago, niiB Been icuiuius u» ,.„_iit frnm the met last week at the Hotel Navarre, New those easy words usually taught from the 5J; k city, and formed an organisation which front part of the primers. w m be known as the Association ot Theatrical a ahnrt time ego. when company was stock Managers,- and which will be lncorpo- V7 .1 mS~ hum. the vounzster rated under the laws of New York, present In the Winter home, the you °!" e ; Representatives from the following the- objected to being put to bed alter ainner, BtrM wwe at tn9 Bee ti n g : Corse Payton's, had nrevlously failed In his attempts to get The theatres mentioned are Included to the f, , „.h"i „»-» i,v ht a oretty. childish organization, nnd later the number will be 1,1m to "show off by MS) ftxty. """J increased to fifteen. F. F. Proctor'a name spelling of words, "If you 11 do some spelling, wag u8ed ^ tne pre i| m i nar y organisation, tou mav stay up half an hour." but later on Mr. Proctor announced that he "All right." said the B^M^clng -sddec.ded ^&J&*SjTS$ himself for the ordeal, "but you spell ana Presldcnti j, Kaufman; secretary, A. A. I'D tell." Spits; treasurer, Col. Albaugh. These ofll- Thls reversion of the regular stunt having sysy rttt Opmfrrlea, will Be the directors been decided, the fond father began: g^. plan of y,'. combination Is that each "Now. son, what does c-a-n-d-y spell ? manager will make a production, which will "Pnnrtv l" oulcklv responded the Infant cover the circuit of the theatres, playing at candy i V™*>J "^"" h , tl nad each house one week. At the end of fifteen prodigy, whose education up to that time naa ^ w]a ^^ manager „,„ mak9 a MW produc . only Included words of one syllable, such as tlon and> M 0ia season 1b to last forty-two bird dog. cat and the Ilk*. The accompllah- weeks, beginning Aug. 28, It will be necessary uiru, ""*>"•■ . ,, k d _ _ ag for each manager to put on three playa. Ing of a two syllable word Ike ennay, was ^^ re8 , de * t .j^gj,, wln nave nrtJ per considered something of a childish feat, ana cent- ot g,, j^g, rece i p t 8 of the earnings It received quick applause from those present. "Quite correct," said the pleased parent. "Now, 'Bubber,' tell the folks what e-a-u- sa-ge spells." "Dog I" said the youngster without any hesitation, that word and candy being the two favorite words In bla small spelling lesson. The Utile Winter thus easily earned his extra half hour beyond bed time. at his bouse each week. At the end of the season there will be a meeting, at which each member will get one-tenth of the net receipts of each company for the year. The association was very definite In the statement that no player or company not In the organization could play at any theatre managed by Its members. ♦ »» OUR HONOLULU LETTER. Clipper Bureau, 48 Cranbonrne Street, Leicester Square, London, W. C. Mai IS. The festival of new plays that for the past fortnight has occupied the attention of the London theatrical world, to the almost en- tire exclusion of every other Interest, came to an end lost Saturday night with the pro- duction of "Jasper Bright, at the Avenue. The amount of work pressed Into these two weeks was extraordinary, and In volume. probably exceeds anything ever before at- tempted In a like period In London, or in any capital In the world. From April 22 to May 0, Inclusive, seventeen plays, of which twelve were quite new, were produced In the West End. In addition to these seven- teen, Mr. Tree revived six of Shakespeare's plays within a week. In the vaudeville world there Is also the same activity. At every ball may be seen acts new to London* era. There are more American artists In this city at the present time that at any other time during the past eight months, "The Dictator" and "Leah Kleschna" are the two latest American made plays to make a London success. In the former produc- tion William Collier has made one of the blggeat bits tbp.c an American star ever made In London. Every playgoer and critic who has seen the farce Is of tne same mind. These few lines from a leading London paper are worthy of repetition: "Mr. Frobman li to be thanked for enabling London to see William Collier and an American company In R. H. Davis' farce. It is something like a farce for one thing, and Mr. Collier and sev- eral members of the company play It with a finish to which the London stage Is a FUOM OUB OWN COaniSPONDINT. Charles Wilson, the popular manager ot Dockstadcr's Minstrel Company, repeated a story that had been told by their musical di- rector. At one of tho towns where the company played It became necessary, on ac- count of the temporary Indisposition of one if the musicians, to recruit from the musical talent of tho town. At the rehearsal of one of the musical numbers tho director noticed that the new man was a bar or more ahead of tho others toward the close of the num- ber, finally finishing bis port very nearly out of brcnth. "Can't you read music correctly?" aBked the director In caustic tones; "don't you know how to keep time?" "l'os, I'm fair at It," waa tho recruit's reply. "Well, then," continued tho director, "didn't you realize that you were a bar and a half In advance of the rest of the or- chestra?" "No, Sir," replied the man, "I was playln' against time. When wo nearly reached tho end of tho piece I looked ahead to seo bow much more there was to play, and saw that I'd hare to hurry to finish my stunt before my wlud gavo out." * Wilson tells another of the director's talcs, which Is about a trombone player, who bad been hired as a aubstltute for one occasion. Though there bad been no time for a ro- lienrsnl, the new trombone got through his tnsk creditably until one of the popular tenors of the company was half way through a pathetic ballad. He had reached that part of the song wherein was mentioned some- thing about tho "mother's dying words," when both singer and tearfully affected audi- ence were startled by a sharp blast from the trombone, whlcb quickly destroyed the effect to which point (he clever singer had brought his hearers. Instead of applause, the song ended accompanied by roars of laughter. ly good for the future. The ally decides for love Instead of money, and has the happiness of finally getting both. The leading parts are in the keening of Millie I/egarde, Fsrren Soutar, Arthur Williams, Holman Clark and Mabel Nelson. The theatrical sensation of the past week has been the announcement that Hnntley Wright baa not only resigned his part in "The Little MlchuV' but that he will no longer appear under George Edwardes man- aL'tmcnt, thus terminating a connection of nearly ten years' standing with Daly s The- atre, lie first came to the front In "The Geisha." and In all the succeeding pieces— "The Greek Slave," "San Toy," "The Country Girl" ind "The Clngalee," he has added to bis successes and popularity. He Is anx- ious that It should be understood that the step he has now taken Is dictated purely by business reasons, that be Is parting with Mr. Edwardes on the most amicable terms, arid that the recent "Clngalee" case, in which he figured in the witness box, has, like the flowers that bloom In the Spring, nothing to do with the case. His part In the current production, "The Little Mlchus." Is small and affords him little opportunity for funmaktog. This fact unlikely has something to do with his retirement However, he will not be lost to London. Charles Froanan has engaged Mr. Wright to appear In pure comedy and musical comedy at theatres In London under bla management C. E. Hamilton, Mr. Fron- man's secretary, states that Mr. Wright re- ceived as many as seven offers from London managers as soon as his resignation was an- nounced, and that he decided to accept that of Mr. Frohman. He will make Ills first ap- pearance under Mr. Frohman'e management In the Autumn. The theatre or the Qtie of the piece has not yet been decided All that can be said. Is that the play will be a comedy without music. _ A new one act play, entitled "That Eastern Anomaly," by Q. H. B. Dabbs, was put on at Jasper Bright Br. finds himself thwsrted n the end all the young people eventual , triumph over the pork butcher, and the n - • tocratlc father of the youth who wants ■■ marry his ward. Henri De Tries Is starni in the piece. No announcement was made that on Siu urday last Mrs. Brown Potter's product): •« of "Da Barrl" would be' withdrawn from ttr • Bavoy, The entire company on that even- ing were Informed that their services wouM no longer be required, and the ma of f|»i play thus came to a close. Mrs. Brown I'm ters representative, who waa Interviewer, said: "As a matter of fact it only means i closing ot the theatre a week earlier tbn:, bad been previously arranged, for Mrs. Pot- ter's Benson would in any case have come to an end a week later. The reason? Slmnlv that 'Du Barrl' was an enormously expensive production, and that we have acted on th- " that If you haven't money enoupli principal In the hoi Honolulu, H. T., May 8. The last six months have been practically dead from an amusement standpoint, but at last the long lane of dullness uas taken a turning and entertainment prospects are falr- The local lodge of Elks, which Is very strong here, gave a highly successful minstrel show recently, at whlcb local talent and a leaven of local professionals appeared to advantage. The Elleford Co. opened here lost night, to a crowded house, the offering being "The Belle of Richmond'' This company 1b play- ing Its fourth annual engagement here, and Is-exceedingly popular. The bills Include: "My Friend from India," "Other People's Money" and "Kidnapped." The company Includes: Plotro Sosso, Chas. Edlcr, Myrtle Selwyn, Auda Due (leading lady!), George Hernandez, Albert Font, William Marlon, William Osmond, Grace Lamont, Anna Dodge, Wm. Daull and Frank Howe. Honolulu's second annual musical festival Is In progress today, nearly a thousand voices from the city's schools participating In the choruses. The event Is a unique one In musical history, European, Hawallaa, Portugese, Chinese and Japanese children, clad lu their native costumes and garlanded with the colors' of their respective schools, Interpreting the best in oratonal music Tak- ing part in the festival are two well known festival singers, Madame Ida Qray Scott, of New Xork, the prima donna soprano, who came from San Francisco especially to slog at the festival, and Fred Butler, the well known basso, who arrived here recently with a band of revivalists. While tho future Is somewhat Indefinite, a number of events are expected to trans- ?lre In theatricals. Andrew Mack returns rom Australia in October, and the Irish comedian and his company, at present man- aged by Al. Canby, are under contract to give six performances here under the man- agement of W. D. Adams. Sarah Bernhardt, under Al. Canby, is ex- pected through here at the first of tne year on a tour of the world, and efforts are be<ag made to have her stop over. The latter of next month Hortense Nell- sen Is expected to pass through, and It is hoped she may be retained for at least three performances. In the world of amateur entertainment two events are scheduled—the Kamehemeba Alumni, composed entirely of native students, will give a big minstrel show at the end of next month, and local talent will present "The Serenade" early In the Fait, unoer the auspices of the Ilealanl Boat Club. CHEVALIER DE LOUIS. The Chevalier De Lorls, whose likeness appears above, Is Introducing bis marvelous revolver and rifle shooting at Percy Williams' Orphcum Theatre, Brooklyn, N. Y., this week. While performing all the original feats which for many years have placed the Chevalier at the very top of all firearm experts, he now closes his remarkable act with his new piano feature. The piano Is In every sense a full sized, practical piano. Small discs are placed between the pedals and keyboard of the Instrument, and, while standing about thirty feet away, the Chevalier, with a magazine rifle of his own Invention, wltb remarkable rapidity actually "shoots out" several tunes of popular music. This feature seems to reach about the acme of stage firearm display. stranger. We do not treat farce of this ec- centric type with sufficient seriousness. We shout nnd Jump through Its fun and seek to dazzle by mere noise. The Americans at the Comedy Theatre play 'The Dictator' as If it were a comedy. Mr. Collier himself Is really a fine actor. He makes his points so easily and so naturally that the fun Is In- tensified. There Is no sense of effort Ho has not a comic personality at al), but be Is as mercurial as Seymour Hicks, and as fin- ished In style as John Hare. 'The Dictator' ought to be seen by all who want a tonic for low spirits. It Is to the ordinary farce what Sousa's Is to a seaside bond.' This Is only one of the very glowing notices re- ceived by Mr. Collier and bis vehicle. After the first performance tho engagement, which was stated at first to be of only four weeks' duration, was announced to be continued In- definitely. As the bouse Is not a very large one, it looks as If Mr. Collier's stay will be one of several months. John Barton, of Barton and Ashley, presented Mr. Collier with a large floral piece, In the shape of an American flag. A few of those sending con- gratulatory messages wore: Tom Lewis, Leslie and Daly, Barton and Ashley, St. James* Athletic Club and other members of the St. James colony. Many thought that "Leah Kleschna" would not find as warm a welcome In this country as It has bad In America, but after the open- ing performance their doubts were laid to rest, The production haB been warmly wel- comed and appreciated. It is a melodrama possosslng those attributes which bring popularity. The problems It raises are simple. The plot Is forceful and direct, the situations are finely conceived, the sentiment rings true, and the acting Is superb. Charles War- ner's remarkable study ot Kleschna, the burglar, and Lena ABhwell's treatment of the character of the criminal Leah, are the strik- ing features of the performance. The show, I think Is on for a long run. "Miss Wlnerove," a musical play, produced at the Strand on Thursday of last week, is claimed to have all the marks of a success. The story: An old gentleman dies at the Hotel Pole, which la situated by the Adriatic Sea, and leaves a million of money to be di- vided between his godson, Frank Ley land, and goddaughter, Sonla Wingrove, on condi- tion that they marry each other by twelve o'clock on a certain night As the young couple are strangers, neither regards the condition very cheerfully. There Is a clause In the will determining that should the young feople neglect to fulfil the condition Imposed, he whole of the money goes to Cora, a maid at the hotel. The executors of the will are Count Pole and Topping, a waiter, and both being In want ot cash, plot by every possible means to prevent Frank and Sonla marrying. They are also both suitors for the band of Cora, with an eye to her inheriting the fortune. However, Sonla circumvents them by masquerading under the name of a girl friend. Frank falls in love with her, heroic- the Criterion Theatre last week. It Is a farce, constructed on rather conventional lines. Two lovers have been separated for some time because ot the absence of one of them In India. They agree to meet near a country lunatic asylum, An Inmate has Just escaped, and the lovers mistake each other for lunatics. The meeting takes place at an Inn. the' maid of which has been Informed that the lunatic has a craving for tooth brushes. When the lady arrives and unpacks her dressing case the appearance of a tooth brush convinces the maid that she la dealing with the escaped lunatic But she la soon undeceived and Joins In a little plot con- trived to test the fidelity of the absent lover. He, too, appears flourishing a tooth brush, and a little harmless fun Is extracted from the misunderstanding which ensues. The Shuberts are about to extend the'r newly started theatrical Interests In London, and nave now practically completed an ar- rangement by which they will become lessees of the Shaftesbury Theatre, from next Hep- tmber, for a term of years. It is stated that the Shuberts are not going to Introduce any American methods Into their London the- atres, and the Shaftesbury, which they will open In the Autumn, will be conducted en- tirely In accordance with English Ideas. By the way, tbla house, the Shaftesbury, has been secured to continue the very successful run of Maxlne Elliott, In "Her Own Way," which is now turning people away at the Lyric The shift In nouses will take place In another week. It Is now settled that Forbes Robertson will open the Scala Theatre early In June, with two new plays, "Cesar and Cleopatra"' and "A Man of Destiny," both by Bernard Shaw. Dr. Dlstln Maddlck's beautiful play- house thus becomes Mr. Robertson's per- manent professional home, at which, at mati- nees or special evenings, he will be seen aa Hamlet. In September bis Intention Is to revive "Diplomacy." "Jasper Bright" adapted from the Ger- man, by Arthur Sturgess, had Its Initial per- formance at the Avenue on Saturday night last. Story: Jaeper Bright Is a prosperous- pork butcher In a university town, wltb a Bon who objects, when he has taken his de- ?ree. to enter tbe same business as made his nthcr. The son also Las different views from tbe father as to who he shall eventually marry, and as the girl Intended for him Is conveniently In love wltb his college chum, NOTICE . After June 1 OUR CHARGE FOR HALF TONE PICTURES In the read- las; pases of THE CLIPPER win he as follows i Single Column Q7.50 Doable Column f 15.00 in the house it Is better to let a play go than to carry It on at a loss. We found ft cheapc; In fact, to close the theatre and pay the ex- tra week's salary than to continue for tho extra six days with tbe monetary drop it would Involve." The general opinion Is that tbe production was really much too expensive to bring oat In comparison with tbe size of the theatre, and the bouse simply couldn't hold the money that tbe production cost. The play la said to have cost nearly eight thousand dollars a week, while capacity busi- ness meant only a little over a thousand dol- lars a performance. Mrs. Potter has not been feeling well for some time and will now take a thoroughly long rest A tragic Incident brought tho entertainment to the International Press Congress at the Savage Club, In tbls city, on Saturday night, May 6, to a sudden close. Cbarles Arnold, a well known English actor and vocalist, and a popular member of the club, was among those who had undertaken to amuse the guests. He had sung one song, which was encored, and again faced the audience to re- spond. In this, hla second song, "We Take Off Our Hats to the King," he was raising his hand in appropriate gesture, when he staggered and fell. Hemorrhage of tbe brain had occurred and be died Instantly. Mr. Arnold's first acting was done In America. After appearing with Edwin Booth's com- pany, he came to London to play Tony, in r 'My Sweetheart" Then he produced "Hans, the Boatman," and toured America and the colonies with It. He also secured the English rights of "What Happened to Jones,", and afterwards played a round of comedies through the colonies, coming back to London to retire. In the presence of a large gathering, a stained glass window was unveiled last week, in the picture gallery connected with the Memorial Theatre, Stratford-on-Avon, to tbe memory of old Bensonlans associated with past Shakespearean commemorations. Four members of F. B. Benson's company, who have died In recent years, are In tbe design commemorated by suitable Shakespearean characters. Henry Irving has met with such success at the Drury Lane, with '"Becker," that he has prolonged the run for a week longer tban the fortnight originally decided upon. "The Creole," L. N. Parker's little play, which now precedes the comedy of "Every- body's Secret," at tbe Haymarket, simply Illustrates In action primarily Bonaparte's angry rebuke of his brothers and sisters for tbe low breeding exhibited by them In a family squabble, and then his Jealousy ot Josephine, whom, In her absence, be suspects of indulging In an Intrigue with a lover. In tbls wrathful mood be locks tbe door against her when she arrives, only to open It, however, at the Intercession of his step- daughter, Hortense, whom Napoleon, In a re- vulsion of feeling, takes In bis arms. Cyril Maude Is the Napoleon of the piece. lime. Calve Is said to have completed the libretto of a new opera, which she Is calling "Nile," the heroine being the goddess of the River Nile. Isidore de Lara will write the music George Alexander has obtained a one act play, by Michel Provlns, entitled "La Gou- vernante." When the English version ts pro- duced It will be called "Tne Nursery Govern- ess." Frank Curzon will shortly send Sydney Carton's plsy, "Mr. Hopklnson," to tho States, with a complete English company. The two hundredth performance of Alfred Sutro's successful plsy, "The Walls of Jeri- cho," was celebrated at the Garrlck on Mon- day night last. A man who greatly helped to revolutionize tbe music publishing trade In England, and was largely responsible for one act of Parll- ment and for tne continued demand for an- other, died last week In the person of J. F. Wlllotts, better known In this country as the "Music Pirate King." Mr. Wllletts, who was forty-six years of age, began life as a com- positor. He found the publishing of pirated editions ot popular Bongs so remunerative that In spite ot the enormous seizure of copies, he was able to purchase a costly resi- dence. To give an Idea of the extent of the "pirated" music business under bis control, It Is computed that 10,000,000 copies of "Tbo Holy City" were sold, while "The Star of- Bethlehem" came near to the same figure, and "Down the Vale" and "The LoBt Chord" reached between 2,000,000 and 8,000,000 copies. "Tbe White Chrysanthemum" is the title of a new musical play, with seven characters only and no chorus, written by Mr. Bantock and composed by Howard Talbot which Frank Curzon will produce at the Criterion on Sept 2. That clever builder of successful plays, J. M. Barrle, celebrated bis forty-fifth birth- day yesterday. Here la a bit of news that will be Interest- ing to vaudevillians. Some Important changes are being arranged at the Empire. Leicester Square, and about tbe middle of next month tbe house will be closed In order that some striking constructional alterations. Involving the outlay of many thousand dol- lars, may be carried out. When the theatre Is reopened on Sept. 23 tbe interior will pre- sent a greatly changed and beautified ap- pearance, with also much more comfortable and luxurious seating arrangements for the audience. There Is also a possibility' that the whole of the floor space may, under the new plans, be devoted to two dollar and n half seats. As regards the entertainment, the new policy of up-to-date management will also enter. It looks now as If tbe vaudeville portion of the bill will be cut out entirely, and the main features of the Empire programme will consist of new bal- lets, with the charming dancer, Mile. Gence, as premiere danseuse, and musical pieces that will bring tbe entertainment at this famous bouse Into Una wltb tbe theatres rather than with the halls. Tbe Musical Johnstons open at the Ly- ceum May 15, and will play that house until June 10. The following day they sail from Cherbourg, and will arrive in the States about June 18. The Johnstons have been successful in tbelr bookings In tbls country, and return to America after a long absence. Dorothy Drew, who has also met with much favor In London and provinces, returns with her husband, Ralph Johnston. Genero and Theol are doing very nicely In Germany. After the Leipzig engagement, which comes shortly, they will have played seven months on tbe continent. They open In England on the Mosa A Btoll tour on A »J?. S „ . Dorothy Kenton writes me from Paris that she will not come back to London right away, as she signed a contract to open In Vienna today, the engagement to last ono month. "Tbe American Girl with the BnnJo ought to meet with much success In that country. J. B. Hudson, who left America last Janu-