New York Clipper (Nov 1905)

938 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER. November 4. jHi5S Clipper's Anecdotes, Personalities and Comments, CONCIENINQ STAGE FOLK and Some times OTHERS BT J OSEPHINE GEO. Kow tbat Heni7 Irving anecdotes are occu- pying considerable apace In all publications, one Is reminded of tbat oft told Incident where the actor once sought to soothe the In- jured feeling* of one of his company. In the expression of his solicitude the ambiguity of the words was overlooked at the moment of utterance, because bis real Intention was to sympathise. On going upon the stage, previous to a re- hearsal one afternoon, he noticed a group of three or four young women of the super forces, apparently trying to comfort one of their number, who was rather noisily express- ing her grief. Approaching them to ascer- tain the cause, he said to the grief stricken young woman: "What's all this trouble about?" "She says the character woman Insulted ber," chimed In one of the young women. "Is that so?" said Sir Henry (though he was not S>r at that time). "I must look into this; I don't like dissensions among my peo- ple. How did she Insult yon 7" he asked, turning to the weeping girl. "Oh, I couldn't tell you what she said," stammered the girl, between sobs. "Bat you must," said Irving, "I must know exactly what wns said, la order to ad- just the matter." "Well," hesitated the girl, "she—she said I was no better than I ought to be." This statement was followed by a torrent of weep- ing so overwhelming tbat the kind hearted actor, In bis baste to comfort her, did not stop to choose bis words, but exclaimed: "There—there," patting her on the shoul- der, "we all know you are." * It Is Telited of Irving that as he was one day leaving the stage door, after a rehearsal, he met one of the former members of his company—a girl—who had played small parts very satisfactorily. Two years pre- viously she bad left the stage to be married, and the actor had not seen ber elnce tbat time. He remembered her as being moBt dra- matically promising, and, reverting to the time she had left the company, said: "And do you regret or are yon glad you gave up stage work?" "Well," dubiously replied the girl, hold- ing out her bands, showing on them a pair of worn out gloves, "I must confess that I was better off when with your company." "Ah!" said Irving, and though not wish- ing to show any curiosity, added "Aren't things going prosperously with you?" "Not very," replied the girl, "I was just going Into the theatre to see one or two of my old friends there. I have learned the manicure profession, and thought I might get them as patrons." "But do you have to work?" asked the actor. "We thought you married well. Isn't your husband a good provider?" "Oh, yes," replied the ex-actress quickly, and In tones tinged with sarcasm, "he's a very good provider—why, he provided me with four new customers yesterday." * Many stories are told of the laughable ex- clamations of tbose suddenly awakened from a sound Bleep. Joseph Jefferson used to enjoy telling one of these Incidents concerning him- self. As everyone knows, his favorite pastime was fishing, and as a relief from bis the- atrical work he would seize every oppor- tunity to Indulge In the sport While play- ing on engagement of "Itlp Van Winkle," in Sandusky, O., he was Invited by a member of a club to visit a trout Btream near Cas- talla, a suburb of that city. After an en- joyable, though a most fatiguing day, he reached the theatre barely In time to dress for the performance. A full day's outdoor exercise had the effect of making him some- what drowsy, and this, with his bodily weariness, combined to make his performance tbat night somewhat difficult. However, he got through all right until tho curtain went up on the mountain scene, where be was to awaken after his many years' Bleep. lie did not awaken on schedule time, and the stage raoimger began to be anxious. The real fact was, Jefferson had succumbed to the pressure of weariness, and had actually fallen asleep on the rocks. Time was pass- ing, yet the actor, who was only supposed to be steeping, mndo no move to rlso and stretch himself and go ou with the scene The true reason for the delay suddenly oc- curred to the stage manager, who recalled Jefferson's remark of a short time before, tbnt he could scarcely keep awake. An un- conscious snore from the direction of the rocks decided him to take quick measures to break the watt, which, though realistic, was too prolonged. Accordingly, a stage hand was quickly directed to go beneath the rock work and In some way arouse tho sleeper. Two or three nudges failed In their Intent, then the man garo a vigorous poke in the ribs of the star, which roused him to tho exertion of rolling over on his other Bide, An Instant later tho waiting audience were treated to a line not In the manuscript. Before opening his eyes "ltlp" wearily yawned: "Oli-a-a-a-oft/ The ticket Is In my hat- band, Conductor." t Lew Dockstadcr hna a story which, among a lot nf others, bo relates from the stage, and It always gets a big laugh. The parson of a colored church, down South, noticed at one of tho meetings that "Brother Jones," n dchthn of tho church, was Indulging In a few winks of sleep to- ward the end of his exhortations. Wishing to aronse the offender, he said la a load' voice: "We will now sing 'Rock of Ages.' ' Brother Jones lead?" The sleeping brother failed to respond to lue call, and the elder, In louder tones, again announced the hymn, adding, "Will Brother Jones k'ndly lead?" mum mmm. The publishers of THE NEW TOBK CLIP- PER announce that beginning Jan. 1, 1906, jthey will Issue a new publication entitled /CUPPER CARTOONS V Ol.. CHu _10,/ M.. _IM. Ill.«l..»ul su.ua ' 'Tala't my turn," stammered the darkey,' Size 8*4x12 w, 56pp., with Illuminated paper cover, it will contain 26 fall page Theatrical (HAS. BANKS, Whose picture appears above, Is well known In the profession, and the press has highly £ raised bis work. The Bloomlngton, 111., lattu Bulletin, dated Oct 8, bad this to say of bin): "Castle Theatre bad an entertainer last week and the week before who delighted amusement lovers in a manner that w'li never be forgotten. He Is Charley Banks. It was his first visit to Bloomlngton, but be Is known to all the larger city theatregoers throughout the country. He nas Impressed Bloomlngton audiences as no other comedian ever did; and his name any time In the fu- ture will pack the bouse. Mr, Banks does an old nuld act tbat Is voted by performers themselves to be one of tho most marvelous examples of cbarncter work. He also does a rube stunt w'th equal cleverness. He prob- ably Is seen at his best with a cosmo- politan audience, however, In his black face stump speech. lie Is a born orator, to begin with, and In his work Indulges In flights of eloquence of Which many a noted speaker might be envious, and suddenly goes from the sublime to some Bide splitting humor. In the days of President D. B. Grant be wrote 'General Grant's Trip Around the World,' put on by Sweatnam'a Minstrels, at the Arch Street Opera House, Philadelphia. It was a spectacular performance, and required one hundred and fifty persons. Mr. Banks brought mirth to the town, and Castle patrons will look anxiously for his return." wakening suddenly from his sound sleep and vaguely grasping the minister's request " 'tala't my turn—I jea dealt" 9 A young Hebrew comedian new In the busi- ness, but aspiring to a Bernardlan career, applied, not long ago, to one of the vaude- ville agencies for booking. Having proved an ability much beyond the mediocre, and the preliminaries of the engagement having been discussed, the agent then said: "And, how much salary do yon ask?" "I'm asking a hundred," was the reply. "What I" exclaimed the agent, "a hundred —and with your short experience 1" "Tell," replied the young comedian, drop- ping Into the vernacular of hla race, "I said I vasa diking a hundred, but you oould Jew me down to tventy-flve." 9 In glancing at business signs along the street, one Is frequently confronted with pe- culiar juxtaposition of names and callings. In the lower part of the business district of New York, among the fur and feather deal- ers, la a sign over a small shop which the foreign proprietors evidently do not attach the significance which a metropolitan user of clang might give It. The sign reads: "Furs—BOSKY & CONN—Skins." * W. M. Belcher, manager of a popular Western company, was rehearsing a new member one morning recently. The man bad been engaged at short notice, In an emergen- cy. The role tbat he was to fill was a very lively comedy one, and, as It proved, most unsuitable to the dramatic ability of the would-be actor. la vain Belcher tried to instil some action Into tho business of the wooden aspirant, who remained glued to each spot to which he was directed until almost forcibly re- moved. Finally, In despair of any improve- ment, tho manager turned to a friend In tbe wings and exclaimed: "I shall be obliged to send up to Kansas City for a set of castors to be sent down before tho performance tonight." Cartoons from original drawings by the cele- brated artist, P. Richards, reproduced from TUB NEW YORK CLIPPER, together with Dramatic Chronology covering the previous six months, and including the New Plays pro- duced, New Plays copyrighted, Deaths In the Profession, New Theatres constructed, Thea- tres destroyed by Are, and all Important hap- penings In tbe Theatrical World. There will also be Interesting literary articles relating to Theatrical matters, making a valuable and entertaining record of tbe abow business. EVERY PERFORMER AND MANAGER 07 A THEATRE OR BHOW WILL WANT IT. A limited space will be devoted to adver- tisements which will be Inserted at the fol- lowing rates: Foil Pa** ■ ... aioo.oo Half Page .... 60.00 anarter Pace ... 30.00 Column 40.00 Per Inch (Single Column) 4.20 Per Inch (Doable Column) 8.40 Copy for advertisements must be In hand by Dec. 1. CLIPPER CARTOONS Will be for ssle by all newsdealers, Price, 20 Cents per copy. Or will be sent by mall, postpaid, on receipt of price by the publishers, THE FBAIK QUEEI PUBLISHIIfl CO. (Limited), 47 West 28th St, New York City. Albert J. Doric. Editorial and Buelness Mgr. <»» MAiusuuRiTE ci.akkij, Whose picture appenra on tho front page of this Issue, wns born in 1880, and lms been upon the stage since childhood She ap- peared in the support of Dan Daly, Francis Wilson and other operatic comedians, fr-ho wns engaged with Do Wolfe Hopper, In "Mr. Pickwick, * and re-engaged for the revlvM of "V'nng." This season the Is playing Sylvia, In Mr. Hopper's successful comic opera, "Ilnppylaud." now playing an extended en- gagement at the Lyric Theatre, this city. Her diminutive s!*o makes her a particularly good foil for Mr. Hopper, while her chlldl'ke demeanor Is of marked vnluo In "Happy- land," In which the plot partly hinges upon her Inability to decide whether she Is a girl or a bay. THIS SECOND UMPIRE. A new fast train on the N. Y. Cen- tral leaves CSrimd Central Stntlon 1.B7 P, M'., arrives Albany -l.riM, Ullca 0.4T, Syracuse S.OO, Rochester 0.113, DnhTnlo 11.10 P. Ml. No eicesB fnre.-'Advf. Alexander Mackenzie, George Alexander, Bier- bobm Tree, Sir L. Alma-Tadema, Prof. Sir James Dewar, J. Forbes Robertson, A. W. Plnero and Burdett-Coutts, M. P. Arthur Bourchler acted as chief steward In the abbey. Though It has been very cordially re- ceived, Forbes Robertson's revival of "For the Crown," at tho Seals, la only In tbe na- ture of a stopgap, sod early next month he will produce a new comedy, from the pen of Mrs. Madeline Lucette Ryley, who pro- vided him with one of his past successes, namely "Mice and Meo." It Is described as a domestic play, and Its plot may be gath- ered, In a way, from tbe title, "Mrs. Grundy," tbat the authoress has chosen. J. E. Vedrenne. of the Court Theatre, baa decided to keep both pit and gallery unre- served at that theatre, as hitherto, but to open the doors one hour before the perform- ance, so that early comers may be able to take their seats and wait for the perform- ance in comfort Instead of discomfort This Is a most benevolent Idea on Mr. Vedrenne's part, and It Is to be regretted tbat other managers do not follow snlt At the better class of theatres admlslson to the pit is seventy-five cents, and If tbe play Is doing a big business those desiring admission to that part of the houset are obliged to stand la line for hours In the cold ana rain, If the weather Is bad. William Gillette's revival of "Sherlock Holmes," at the Duke of York's Theatre, last Tuesday night, was an unqualified success. The company supporting Mr. Gillette Is ex- cellent, Just bow long the revival will run Is not known, that Is, to outsiders. All, no doubt, depends upon the box office receipts. Mr. Doyle, who Is understood to be gather. Ing material for a new series of Sherlock Holmes stories, dealing more especially with bank frauds, caused some surprise In a Liver- pool police court one day this week by unex- pectedly walking up the steps leading from the cells to the dock. Accompanied by tbe chief constable, he bad been going through the under-world of tbe police buildings In order to gather the local color. Last Saturday evening Alfred Sutro's new Flay, "The Perfect Lover." was done at the mperial Theatre by Lewis Waller and com- pany, and was voted a success by all wbo saw It. Written with a keen edge of satire upon tbe social faults of tbe day. the new piece tells In close dramatic dialogue a mov- ing story of temptation and resistance so fresh In action and dramatic surprises as to CLIPPER CARTOONS. No. 23. THE 'CYCLING MILLARD BROS., Whose act has rapidly come to tbe front, have one of the best 'cycling novelties, brim full of good comedy and not overdone. The younger of the brothers closes the act by riding a flight of steps backwards, which feat bas received a great deal of comment from both press and public. Their run this Summer, at the parks in the West, was phenomenal. Opening with Manager Immerman, of White City on the Lake, Cleveland. 0., June 18, for one week, their act proved such a big success that they were retained for five consecutive weeks. Tom Eck, manager of Electric Park, Detroit, Mich., gave them two weeks; then they played three weeks at Cincinnati and a return of four weeks at Chicago. Geo. M. Fenberg Is now featuring the act with one of his road companies for a special engagement through the New England States, under tbe management of Will Desliou. The Mlllards work with a vim and finish seldom seen In an act of this style, winning applause and laughs In rapid succession. They claim to be tbo first to use a dog in a 'cycling act, and the novel way they have of Introducing the little animal bas proven a decided success. Geo. Fenberg has Bevcrnl styles of paper for the act Including one sheets, half sheets, lithographs and window cards, and features It on every piece of advertising he has. The brothers were born In Detroit, Mich., where tbey hsve considerable money Invested la real estate, owning their own home, where many a performer spent a pleasant hour while playing that city during the past Summer. | OUR LONDON LETTER. FHOH OUB OWN CORBISPONDBXT. Clipper Boreas, 48 Cranbonrne Street, Leicester Square, London, W. C. Oct. 21. The death of Henry Irving, which occurred on Friday night of last week, cast a gloom over London that will linger for some time. The body of the great actor was brought from Bradford to his London residence on Saturday, where It remained until Tuesday morning. Sculptors made a mask of the face. In wax, for tbe statue that Is to be modelled In remembrance. Then his relatives took their last look at the actor knight. Tbe re- mains were then taken to the crematory, at Golder'a Green, and cremated. Laurence Irving and the old and faithful valet, wbo has been In Mr. living's service for more than thirty years, were present at the lm- Srcsnlve proceedings. Tbe nshea of the late Istlngulshed actor were taken from Golder'a Green to hla late residence, and from there to Westminster Abbey, where they remained until the ceremony or burial, which occurred yesterday. Tho site of the tomb in the Abbey had been appropriately chosen to tbe Imme- diate right of tbe Blab which Indicates the resting place of another great tragedian, David Garrlck. The statue of Shakespeare, whose great expounder Mr. Irving was, domi- nates the whole. Near by are the graves of Charles Dickens, Richard Brlnsley Sheridan, Dr. Johnson and other famous men of letters. The eerrlcei took placo at noon yesterday. The king was represented by General Sir nighton Probyn, and the Prince of Wales by I.leut.-colonel Sir William Carlngton. The fourteen pallbearers were: Sir Squire Ban- croft Lord Aberdeen, Lord Tennyson, John Ha're, Charles wyrjfllrani. Dora Bnrnhint, Blr hold the attention enthralled from first scene to last. Story of the play: William Tremb- lett, a man whose principles are not of the beat type, bas clandestinely learned, as so- licitor, that land belonging to bis client. Lord Cardew, now In the market, has beneath It a fortune In coal deposit. To obtain this him- self directly he knows to be unprofessional; so be proposes to his brother Joseph, a poor Journalist, that he shall Induce his wife, Lil- lian, knowing her to be a former sweetheart of the young peer, to get bis consent to a sale of the land by her feminine Influence. This plan Is repudiated with scorn by Joseph, as he leaves hla brother. But on telling tbe story on reaching homo to his wife and child, they, suffering from extreme poverty, urge Joseph to consent to the plot being car- rlcd Into effect, prompted by the promise of the scheming lawyer to give his Impecunious brother *25,0O0 on his obtaining Lord Car- dew's written assent to tbe sale of the es- tate. Moved by the plaintive pleading of his wife and little daughter, tho tempted man yields, and proceeds to do the dirty work. Face to face with the peer, he finds him on the eve of elopement from his brother with the sorely bullied and ill used Lillian, who has escaped to him from her home. But the adbuctlon Is an Innocent one, Cardew having, ns a "perfect lover," Induced his elderly aunt to accompany him and his old love to Can- ada, where Lillian is to remain under his charge. The sale agreement Is signed by the noble landowner, but with tbe purchaser's name changed from the solicitor to the jour- nalist. Armed with this document Joseph seeks his brother, whose delight at the bar- gain Is checked at finding his brother's name taking the place of his own. At the close of a powerful scene between the brothers, Joseph, stung to repentance by William's taunts, tears up the document and puts It lathe fire. .With the mortified rage of tho bafllel! solicitor on his departure, aria the joe wewrs Theatre; characters and Scenes from VThe Banker's Daughter," at Proctor'. Fifth Avenne Theatre: William FarsrshSm now appearing In "The Squaw Mao," stWak lack's; Robert B. Maotell, in the character of Richard III at the Garden Theataf. Bam Chip, as Dr. Fox, and Bessie Wynn, who <?'".?■ ISft'S ,.f 0, 1 un, ?' ta "Wonoerlind" Julian Mitchell's handsome new spectacle now being presented at the Majestic The* tre. Vaudeville Is represented by: Oracle Emmett and company, John D. Gilbert u,, Waldon and Alda Overton Walker and Hat- tie Mcintosh, all of whom appeared at n»r tig A Seamon'a Music Hall last wee k. tender gratulatlons at the moral courage of the husband of the one, and the father of the other, the curtain descends. Indications are that Mr. 8ntro bas scored another succcrh which promises to equal that of his "The Walls of Jericho." "Tomorrow-land," the new two act musi- cal fantasy, by John Kendrlck Bangs and Mauuel Klein, produced by Henry W. Bavaee at Baltimore, on Oct 9. bad a copyright performance at the Victoria Hall, Bayswater last Monday. The performance, If it may be called such, was under the management of Charles Warren. George Ade's "Just Out of College" was also done for copyright PK^Sn«.2f , n3ffi recently, by members of the William Collier company. The centenary of the Royal Bath Theatre was celebrated on the 12th by F. R. Ben- son. The house was opened on Oct 12 1805, and was one of the four In the United Kingdom which obtained the privilege of the royal patent, two of tbe others being Drury Lane and Covent Garden. The first house upon the same site was built Just two hun- dred years ago. The King and Queen, the Prince and Prin- cess of Wales and Princess Victoria, with their suites, were present at Drury Lane last Monday, to witness the performance of "The Prodigal Son." Each member of the royal party was presented with a beautifully bound copy of the play, and a handsomely Illus- trated souvenir. The books for the king were bound hi royal red silk, those for tbe queen In royal blue, and those for the prince and princess in white. The work of binding was completed within four hours of the Inti- mation of the royal visit reaching the thea- tre. On Tuesday the same party visited the Comedy Theatre, and saw William Collier and associates, In "On the Quiet Edmond Rostand, the dramatist has just refused 120,000. offered to him by a pub- lisher, for the right to publish his new play, "Chantceler," In the magazine, Je Bait Tout. M. Rostand refused to discuss any price for Subllcatlon of the play, which is to be pro- uced at the Theatre de la Galte, ParlB, la Tbe fiftieth performance of "Tbe Blue Moon," at the Lyric Theatre, waa celebrated on Monday. "What the Butler Saw" has been adapted for the French stage, and will shortly be seen at one of the leading Paris- Ian theatres. Cissy Loftus will play the part of Peter Pan when that production la revived at the Duke of York's, oa Dec 12. In this year's Drury Lane pantomime there will appear an Englishman, famed in Paris, but unknown In his native country. He was Been by Arthur Collins playing the part of Mr. Cbamberlln, at tbe Foiies-Bergere. He was engaged by the Drury Lane manager immediately. On Thursday last a matinee, organized by The Figaro, took place at the Opera Comlque, Paris, in aid of the sufferers by the recent earthquake In Italy. In the programme figured the name of Charles Warner, who left London early In the morning of that day to appear in a scene from "Hamlet." During the journey from Calais to Paris be changed and made up on the train. At the terminus, Mr. Warner was met by a private motor sod taken to the theatre, where he arrived Just In time to give bis performance. The per- formance over, and a hasty meal obtained, Mr. Warner returned to London In order to play biB part in "Leah Kleschna," last night. Hie show was an Immense success. Mounet Sully, the great French exponent of "Ham- let," rushed at Mr. Warner and kissed him on both cheeks; and the crowded house, wltb Mme, Loubet and many other well known peo- ple in the stalls and boxes, gave Mr. Warner and his associates In tbe cast a great ovatlou. May Buckley leaves the cast of "On the Quiet." tonight, and her place will be taken by a Miss Angiln, sister to Margaret Anglln, Through the Influence of George Edwardes, who is Interested in both theatrical and music hall entertainments, a temporary settlement has been arrived at in the queatlon regarding the presentation of sketches at the variety theatres. Later there will be meetings of the Theatrical Managers' Association and of the Proprietors of Entertainments Association, to confirm the proposed agreement which has been drawn up by representatives of both bodies. The clauses in the drafted agree- ment are to the effect that sketches will be allowed In music halts, provided they are original In character and are not condensed versions of dramas staged In theatres; tbat the sketches must be limited to two In one firogramme, one not exceeding fifteen minutes n length, with no more than four perform- ers ; the other having a time limit of thirty minutes, with six principals and as many auperB as the manager of the company may care to provide; that billets shall not exceed one hour In performance. This agreement Is favorably received In many quarters, though certain people engaged In the variety profes- sion still desire absolute free trade In enter- tainments, without any restrictions what- ever. Messrs. Moulllot and De Freece hare ac- quired the lease of the old Prince of Wales Theatre, Southampton, and have converted It to the attractive purpose of a hippodrome, in which character it was opened last week by the mayor of that town, in the presence of a large an Influential assemblage. Dur- ing the past few months the theatre baa undergone a remarkable transformation. Tbe auditorium has been emarged. It Is now 60ft. wide by 70ft deep, and 44ft. high from the stalls to the main celling. Tbe stage Is 67ft. wide, 24ft etn. high, and 60ft. to tho frld. There Is seating accommodation for ,600, and ample standing room for 600 more. The entertainments provided will be on similar lines to those at the Coliseum and Hippodrome, London, with two perform- ances nightly. Cooke Francis, formerly of the Empress, Brixton, Is the resident mana- ger of the house. . Tonight's performance at the Lyceum will be the last of the ballet "Excelsior." On Monday the house reverts to the two ahowa a night policy, with straight vaudeville. The bill Includes: George Bonhalr, Gregory Troupe, Will Johnson, Florlsel, Ward Broth- era, Mlrzab, Hal Forde, Dusty Rhodes, Lenl Verdi, Howard and Harris, Radford and Val- entine, and pictures. Howard and Harris made their reappearance at the Lyceum on Monday last, after an absence of some months, and repeated tbe hit made during their first appearances. They certainly do a §ood act and their success Is not to be won ered at They are booked up solid In this country and on tbe continent for two solid years. New shows at West End halls to review this week have been scarce, but next week I expect to be busy. Besides the new pro- gramme at tbe Lyceum the Coliseum offer- two new bills, or, rather, a change. The three and nine o'clock showa at tbe Collceuai Include: Mrs. Bernard Beere and company, In "The Spy;" Lorch Famliy, "Military Tattdo," Victoria Monks, Eugene 8fration. Zertbo'i dogs, Mndge Leasing. Carl Hertz OonltnucS an potfe tfO.