The New York Clipper (December 1905)

1038 THE NEW YOEK CLIPPER. Deoembbb 2. Anecdotes. Personalities and Comments, CONCERNINO ST1GE FOLK and Some times OTHERS BY J OSEPHINE QHO. Jame* J. Armstrong, the well known sgeat, bad occasion to call up by telephone Dal;, who baa succeeded beyond bis expectations In making famous the Irish act of Dal; and Ue Vere. "Is this Mr Daly?" he voiced over the wire that, as he supposed, connected him wlth'the ear of that actor. 'What Mr. Daly?" waa the answer which came In question form. "Why, Patrick Daly. He must be there !" exclaimed Armstrong. "He must be here, you cay," came back the reply, "well, If he Is he Is In the wrong place. This Is the Jewish Cemetery and we bury no Irish here." "Drat those telephone girls, anyhow," ex- claimed Armstrong as he hung op tbe re- ceiver, "I was expecting to get a life one, and they switched me to a place where I could get only dead one*," Armstrong was once giving a show at a small town on Long Island. During tbe af- ternoon rehearsal he charged the local prop- erty boy not to fall to have on.hand for the evening performance some beam. Of course, all theatrical people kuow what beans In a farce are for, and that they are an Invar'- able puller of laughs when ejected as knocked- out teeth from the mouth of tbe comedian. At the performance, a few minutes be- fre the scene when tbe comedienne was to give the comedian the blow on the mouth that should loosen hla teeth and scatter them upon the stage, Armstrong rushrd op to the bright (?) property boy and exclaimed : "The beans—the beans I Where are the beans I told you to get?" The boy quickly turned to his property comer and brought therefrom a quart meas- ure of oreen string beans which he tendered to tbe amazed manager, who despairingly ex- claimed: "One of the best 'gags' In the piece done fori" * J. Aldrlcb Llbbey, who related the above stories about his friend, Illustrates the ver- nacular of the "hurry-up" and "eat-quick" lunch counter, and their condensed system of shouting to the cook. Two actors, their calling unmistakably shown by their manner and dress, had been lunching at a West Forty-second place. They were settling tbclr bill at tbe cashier's desk, which was not far from tho window at which the cook received orders. A moment later as they turned to leave tho place the strident voice of a waitress called an order to tbe kitchen, which, being translated, meant, two sandwiches, not to bo eaten at the restaurant but put up In paper ready to be sent out. Olvcn In true lunch-counter vernacular, tbe call was: "Two hams going out." IDvtdontly the two cheap actors leaving tho place took the order to be an intention on the part ot the waitress to deride them, for one turned, and In dramatic, withering tones, exclaimed: "Such effrontery I" and stalked through the doorway amidst the uncontrollable laugh- ter of tho other guests at the lunch counter. 9 The great store set upon even a single lino by tho aspirant, who Is yet In the ranks, was Illustrated by the following conversa- tion overheard aboard a train carrying one of tho Ravage companies. It also Illustrates tho suavity and tact employed by some stage managers In pnsBlng over what otherwise might cause discontent because ot unre- deemed promises to the aspirant. "It's no use to work and work the way we do In the chorus," complained the pretty chorus girt who bad a place In the much-to- be-deslrcd front row. "So few of us get ahead In this profession no matter how hard wo try." "Did it over occur to you that the best chorus workers are kept In the chorus be- cause tbey were good In that line, though they might bo ns good In small parts If they could got 'em? Tbe managers see that they're good leaders tor the mob so beep them there," said the scat-mnto of the first speaker. "Well," said tho other, "speaking of get- ting ahead. The manager promised me those two lines In the last act nearly a year ago, and now be goes and gives them to another girl. When 1 went to him to make a kick about It, what do you think he said?'' "I don't know. What waa It?" asked the second girl. "He tried to smooth It over by Jollying and said: 'Why, Miss Mllly, a handsome girl with your figure don't need lines to carry her personality over tbe footlights.'" 9 The glare of "the Great White Way" at- tracts from other parts of the country any foolish moths whose wings axe thickly gilded with tbe golden dust that makes an easy medium for the attainment of pleasure. When It has all been rubbed from his Inno- cent wings and he Is no longer able to "pay the piper" and "roll high" he sinks out ot sight, and the Broadway cafes and their habitues know Mm no more. One of these whilom rich young men ap- peared about a year ago among the money spenders. He lasted only a few months. A few days ago a pretty actress who had been present at many of the swagger suppers he had given when he "had the price," sudden- ly came acress the young fellow behind the scenes at a Boston theatre. He was not at- tired In tbe evening dress In which she bad been wont to see him so short a time be- fore. Instead he had on the dusty working suit of a scene shifter. "Well, Teddy 1 What on earth are you doing here?" sbe exclaimed. I had wondered where you had disappeared to." The young fellow explained that he bad lost and spent all the money his father had left him, and that a long Illness bad pat him In debt He was then doing the best be could to make a living, and having no trade or profession, took the position he had, "But what are you doing here?" tbe actress repeated. "Taking the medicine the doctor ordered," he replied, with a small smile. "Wont's that?'' she asked, at tbe same moment the stage manager ordered him to shift a bit of scenery. "He ordered a change of totntt," replied the young fellow, with another small smile. w»» CINQUHVALLl'S AUTO MO HI 1,13 ADVENTURE. "There Is only one Clnquevalll, and not one of the artistes, eminent enongb, doubtless, In their own business, who have essayed to rival him, has come within hailing distance of him. What I say can be easily verified at the Empire Palace this week, wbere Cln- quevalll Is arousing all the old enthusiasm with almost the same entertainment that he presented when he first visited Birmingham, many years ago. There are a few additions, In keeping with the highly finished feats with wh.ch we are so familiar, and be dresses bis stage ratber differently, while his assistant has developed Into a clever facial comedian. The Juggling and balancing accomplishments of Clnquevalll are a feast of graceful, confi- dent work, and be deserves even the big sal- ary which he receives." Clnquevalll, now appearing with great suc- cess In England, had an exciting experience Oct. 22. On that evening, shortly after live o'clock, tremendous excitement occurred on the Liverpool landing-stage In consequence ot a mishap which resulted In, at all events, the temporary loss of a large and valuable motor car and the Imminent danger to lite of two people by Immersion. It appears that Paul Clnquevalll, on bis way to Birkenhead to fiiiiil s week's engagement In the Argyle The- atre, had u driven^ from Bradford In a motor car, the -other occupants of the conveyance being Miss Morris,'also a variety ball enter- tainer, and'tbe chauffeur.'. . Arrived at Uie Woodsldo goods berth It ap- pears that Mr. Clnquevalll, leaving the motor car, went on board the goods steamer Claugb- ton to moke arrangements for having the motor und the company ferried across to Hlrkenhead. From the deck of the steamer be was directing the operation ot guiding tbe motor car over the gangway, which was be'ng performed by the chauffeur, seated In the car, Miss Morris also occupying her place. As it was found that the awning covering the car was too high to permit the vehicle to be got under the deck of the steamer, the captain retorted to the expedient of easing tho vessel slightly off from the stage to allow of more room. Tbe boat, however, sheored farther away than waa 'ntended, with the re- sult that the gangway, one end of which Is fixed permanently to the stage, with the other loosely resting upon the boat, fell down and allowed the motor, the hind wheels of which were resting upon It, to fall Into the river. The vehicle quickly sank to the bottom, though happily both the chauffeur and tbe lady were able to disentangle themselves from It. Ropes and lifebuoys were promptly thrown to them from tbe stage. Almost olmultnneously a stageman named Stratton, Jumped In to the assistance ot Miss Morris, while a foreign gentleman, described as a marine engineer, alio plunged Into the river, und all—both rescued and rescuers— were afterwards drawn out by means ot ropes. One boat was lowered from the Claughton and another from the ferry steamer rose, which was lying at the adjoining Sencomhe berth. All tbe rescued were taken to the Itecelvlng House, wbere they obtained every possible attention. Tbe lady was very much cxhnustcd by her cold Immersion, but eventu- ally revived sufficiently to be able to cross later In tho evening. Townrds promoting the comfort of the suf- ferers, Mr. Clnquevalll, having seen them In skilful hands In the Itecelvlng House, crossed to Hlrkenhead to obtain the requisite changes of dry clothing at bis lodgings. It Is stated that, though Clnquevalll escaped Immersion and Its perllouo consequences through being on board tbe steamer, tho mo- tor car contained the principal part of his Gersonnl effects, which be was conveying with Im. Concerning Clnquovalll's success In Eng- land tho following clipping from one of the Kngllsh newspapers will give some Idea: LUCY l.l <U'lt. The above Is an excellent cut of Lucy Lucler, of tbe well known vaudeville team ot Lucy and Lucler. Sbe Is one of the most artistic vocalists and piano soloists In tbe profession. Lucy and Lucler's latest sketch, "The Fool's Errand," Is a success every- where. They are now playing tbe Orpheum circuit. ROSELLE KNOTT, Whose picture is shown on the front page of this Issue, Is a Canadian by birth, and though still very young, Is an actress of marked ability and personal charm. Miss Knott Is the (laughter of very strict parents, to whom the stage was distasteful, ana when, as a young girl, sbe began to snow consid- erable histrionic talent In amateur work, every effort was made to dissuade her from a stage career. Oood sense overcame pre- judice, however, and when opportunity offered through the Illness of a member of a small company playing In the town In which Miss Knott lived, Bhe was allowed to accept a temporary engagement. This was the be- ginning ot an unusually successful theatri- cal career. At tbe close of her brief cngnge- ment she entered,a stock company, and It was there that her clever and conscientious work won for her the recognition sbe so greatly desired. Sbe then became leading woman for Robert Mnnteil, a similar engage- ment soon followed with Rlcbnrd Mansfield, and a little later she played the roles of the heroines la "Paul ICauvar, The Cherry l'lckers" and "Quo Vndls." After a season In "The Modern Magdalene," Miss Knott ap- peared as "Mary Tudor," In tbe dramatized version of Charles Major's famous seven- teenth century novel, "When Knighthood Was In Flower." Miss Knott's success was so rest as the capricious sister of Bluff King [at, that sbe decided to give a revival of tbo play, and Is this year starring In a magnifi- cent production, under the management ot Kane. Shlpman & Colvln, and from all reports Is winning fresh laurels and new friends wherever she has appeared. ««» A Mew Telegraph Code. 27ie Theatrical Cipher Code has reached this office. It completely covers the theat- rical field, providing for a saving In tolls on messages pertaining to any line, and suitable for any contingency. Notable features are tbe ciphers for various amounts of money, from % of a cent to $100,000; for the time of day, by the hour and minute; figures from one to 100,000, etc. Tbe code Is suitable for forwarding advertisements. The book Is published by the Theatrical Code Publishing Co.. ot Los Angeles, Cal., and Is supplied for Si.50, in cloth, and f 2.00, In leather. • »» Morton, tbmi>i,b and Morton have Just clorcd on the Ed. Mozart Family Theatre circuit, through Pennsylvania, where their act, they Inform us, was a special feature on every programme at those houses. While playing Mnhanoy City Fay Temple was given n reception at the home of the Klesengen Sisters, and was presented with a beautiful diamond locket and chain. A big banquet wns given. After A hojouiin at not Springs, Ark., Helen Clare will open at tbe Novelty Thea- tre, Denver. Col., with a circuit ot thirty- five weeks to 'follow. B OUR LONDON LETTER. FBOM ODB OWN COEBISPONDSNT. Clipper Bnrcna, „ 48 Crnnbonrnc Street, Leicester Square, London, W. C. Nov. 18. The first performances of "Mr. Popple," at tbe Apollo, on Tuesday, and "Mrs. urundy," at tbe Seals, on Thursday, livened things up a bit. Nothing startling In the vaudeville world has occurred during the week, few new faceB being seen at auy of the houses. To date, we are fogies*, but for this relief we have to stand for a lot of rain. Now for the new plays. "Mr. Topple," the current attraction at tbe Apollo, is a success, and O. 1'. Huntley plays the principal char- acter, which is, of course, Mr. Popple. Paul ltubens wrote the new piece, and also staged It. Ue has striven to make his play of more and bis music of less account and has been successful. There are no opening choruses, no finales, and no ensembles—merely a group of songs and duets scattered Judiciously through the three acts ot the piece. There isn't much plot, just enough to enable Mr. Huntley to keep the audience laughing, and he does. Mr. Popple balls from lppleton, a tiny place on a branch line, where they do nothing but shoot rabbits and eat apples. He has an honest red face, a fair wig, and a fair mustache. He thinks everybody ne meets In London a "sweet soul," especially a fas- cinating actress named La Bolero, who Is generous enough to lend him her flat, for wblcb she has no use herself. In the second act everybody turns up at tbe flat, and then the usual troubles come crowding round Mr. Topple, but In a quite conventional, wholly acceptable way. Wrexhlll-on-Sea is tbe scene of the third act, and there Is a motor carni- val going on. Imagination will take tbe place of my continuing further wltb the plot. Uood helpmates to Mr. Huntley are Ethel Irving, Lionel Victor, Marie Illlngton and Coraile Hlytho. The show will have a long run. "Mrs. Grundy," seen for tbe first time at the Scala, on Thursday, Is the work of Mrs. Uyley, and it had a splendid start It is a sort of companion piece to "Mice and Men." The scene Is laid In a small provincial town. The three Inhabitants of the town who concern tbe playgoers most are the itev. Edward Sotheby, Kittle Barson and Mrs. Patullo. Mr. Sotherby Is tbe new v'car, a parson of common sense, open-air type, who never preaches out ot the pulpit and as little as possible in it. He Is a widower, nnd - has one little boy of six. Kittle Barson Is a governess, and a poor relation ot tbe snob- bish people who employ her. Mrs. Patullo is a handsome, rich, vivacious widow. Miss Barson gets into trouble. She Is persuaded by a man wbo Is In love with her, but for whom sbe does not really care, to elope. She travels with him to Scotland, and, repenting, takes tbe next train back without leaving the station. Unfortunately she has been away all night, and her relations cast uer off. Tbe parson thereupon befriends her. He gets Mrs. Patullo to give the girl shelter, while lie Is seeing what can be done about her future. Eventually be Is quixotic enough to engage Miss Barson as his housekeeper. Then "Mrs. Grundy" gets to work, and there Is a village scandal. Tbe vicar asks his new housekeeper to marry him and she accepts, protestlngiy. Then Mrs. Patullo, with whom tbe vicar Is In love, comes upon the scene. She tells him tbat Mr. Patullo does not exist and never did exist It was all a little scheme to frighten away adventurers. This makes the parson sore, but all comes out right, for Miss Barson discovers the true ob- ject of his affection, and slips away quietly to a situation at Cardiff. The three prin- cipal characters are played by Forbes Ilob- ertson, Gertrude Elliott and June Van Bus- klrk. A long and profitable engagement Is looked for. Stephen Phillips' "JJero" will be seen at Ills Majesty's early In the new year. It la In blank verse, and divided Into a prologue, two acts and an epilogue. The action takes place partly In Home and partly In Balae, the great pleasure resort of the Romans, so that there will be scope for a brilliant stage pa- geant, and tbe last scene will give a realistic presentation of the burning of Rome. Mr. Tree will, of course, take tbe name part, and It has already been decided that Mrs. Tree shall be tbe Agrlpplns, and Constance Col- lier tho Poppnca. In a recent Interview Mr. I'bllllps snld: "Tbe drama of Nero's life, as I see It lies in tbe struggle between the son and tbe mother. Whatever faults Agrlpplna may be reproached wltb, there is no doubt that sbe had a genuine, although impetuous and fierce love for her child. The emperor, on his side, was bound to her not only by af- fection, but by gratitude. He was finally driven to matricide by urgent political rea- sons, and also by the lures of his mistress, Poppneu, who, aspiring to rule the world with h'ni, was bont upon the ruin of Agrlpplna. The young, all powerful tyrant was therefore the target for the burning and conflicting pas- sions or three women; the tlgerlBh maternal love of Agrlpplna, the Interested attachment ot Poppaea, the beautiful and ambitious cour- tesan, and lastly, tbe tender, pathetic, devo- tion of the slave, Acte, who remained faithful to Nero even after death." "The Vorsey Inheritance," a new five net play, by Granville Barker, was brought out one day last week at tbe Court, In the pres- ence of a large audience. The scenes of the action are the office In town and the resi- dence In tbe country of the apparently hon- est, respectable and well to do solicitor. Soon after the raising of the curtain we find that the solicitor, named, by tbe way, Vor- ?ey, is tbe worst kind of a scamp. His son, Edward, is taken Into partnership, and, be- cause of necessity. Is made aworo of the rot- tenness of the firm's foundation. The elder has through long yearB kept up nppenranceB by making use of the securities left with him by his too confiding clients. His displays of generosity have gained him a reputntlon for wealth, and. being worldly wise, be CLIPPER CARTOONS. No. 27. This week our cartoon page presen; Scenes and characters from "The White cv now playing a successful engagement at i New Amsterdam Theatre; scenes and cli acters from "Wonderland," at the Maje^ Tbeatro: Virginia Hsrned, In "La Belle M selUaisc," at the Knickerbocker These Olga Nethersole. In "The Labyrinth," at i Herald Square Theatre, and Viola Allen "The Toast of the Town," at Daly's TiV tre. The vaudeville list shows: The v clgs, thought readers; the Eight Allk acrobats; Hoey and Lee, Hebrew delineate the Musical Cuttys, and Katz, at the pb all at Keith's Union Square Theatre. knows full well that confidence always coots of a reputntlon like that. He would Inve his son follow In his footsteps. Or course the responsibilities of the firm ran . becb >i-'cd off as occasion serves, but reall* things ban worked very smoothly under Lis system in the past,-and there is no reason why they should not work smoothly In the futjre Kdwsrd Vorsey happens to be a young man of probity and honest principle. He Is liar- rifled by what be bears; he protests; be refuses to be convinced by his father's pin us- lble speeches and fallacious arguments. And still the head of the firm carries himself wltb a confident air, .»nd proposes a $2.1,000 dowry for his daughter, and makes—on paper—a handsome provision for tbe ollicrs of a large family. Suddenly he dies, and it is left to Edward to explain that there is no money for anybody, and to carry as best he can the burden of hie father's business. On the suggestion of his cousin, Alice, be adopts course which Is expedient, rather than the that which Is honest, and endeavors to sat- isfy the poorer clients at the expense of those who are rich. When the oldest of the firm's clients demands the return of bis se- curities, and tbere is talk of prosecution nod the police, It seems as though the crash would coma; but the audience Is left alto- gether In the dark as to the fate of the house when the curtain fails. It seems now that Alfred Sutro's play "The Faclnating Mr. Vanderbilt," Is not to be produced at the Prince of Wales, as stated In this letter some weeks ago. George C. Ty- ler Is going to produce there a new play, by Hubert Henry Davis, In which Bills Jeffreys will piny a leading part. The title for the play has not been settled, but Mr. Davis in- clines to "The Hostess." Beerbohm Tree Is now regarded as tbe head of tbe profession In England, thru po- sition being conferred upon htm one day this week, when he was elected president of the Actor-Managers' Association, In succession to the late Henry Irving. A general meet- ing of the association was held at the Tavis- tock Hotel, under tbe presidency of J. M. Chute, and there were fifty-three metropoli- tan and provincial managers present Includ- ing : Frederick Harrison, Otho Stuart, George Edwardes and George Alexander. The ap- pointment of Mr. Tree was moved by Mr. Alexander, seconded by Mr. Wyndhnm, ot Edinburgh, and carried unanimously, no other name belug submitted to the meeting. Speaking to a newspaper representative af- terwards, Mr. Tree said: "1 consider It a great honor to be unanimously chosen for such a position, I consider it a happy coincidence of my election tbat tbe vexed question of sketches in music halls has been virtually settled. Tbe terms originally agreed upon are to be carried out. Mana- gers of theatres will be willing to allow un- limited supers lu sucb sketches, if the thirty- minutes' performance Is adhered to. We hope, by this concession, that all trouble will be put an end to In this direction." Owing to the very great success ot "Tbe Blue Moon," at the Lyric, the rights have been secured by the Shuberts for America, by B. and F. Wheeler for South Africa, and hy J. C. Williamson for Australia. The Shu- berts have had an option on tbe piece for some time, but tbey only lately cinched !t The success of "Man and Superman," at the Court, Is so great that Vedrenne and Barker have decided to run Bernard Shaw's piece up to* Dec. SO. Tbe house in which the late Henry Irving was born, on Castle Street, Kelnton-Mnnde- vllle, about six miles from Castle fury, Som- erset, Is to be offered for Bale on Nov. 24. M. Antolne. a well-known Paris theatrical manager, declares that actor managers con- not write plays, and says Sbakespenre and Molicre were exceptions proving tbe rule. On Monday the usual monthly shift occurs at the Coliseum.' The three and nine o'clock bill Includes: Madame Eaty, Conway and Ice- land, Hayes and Suits, Four BolBsets, Mrs. Bernard Beere, "Spring Magic," Madge Lei- sing, Sceley and West, and "Madame Angot.'| In the other show are: "Madame Angot, Alexander, Max Franklin Troupe, Wnlly- HoBte Trio Slmms and Slmms, Mariano Sis- ters, and "Joseph and His Brethren." Baker and Lynn, who arrived In London one day last week, called yesterday. Tbey make their Europeau debut at Hackney on Monday, and are bottoming the bill at that house. Morris Cronln, who has been away from London and suburbs for a long time, almost n year, I think, tops the Hackney bill next week. I am told that Stelne and Evans, and Ford and Douglass are recent arrivals from tho States. As I have not met them, as yet, I don't know when and wbere they open. On Monday Mallot, the clever card manipula- tor, who bus entertained royalty in this and other countries, will make his first nppenrnnee on any vnr'ety stage In England at the l'alnce. A week later, at the same house, Nora Hayes will make ber London debut. The latter ought to do well at the Palace If Bhe will suit her monologue to the country and not try to spring too much American slang, no matter how bright and simple tbe American Jokes may seen to us they fall very flat with an English audience. The old snylng, "When In Rome, do as the Romans do," Is a bit cheBtntitly, but it fills tbe bill In this case. Continued on Page ioi<>- John H.£.nevir-. MAKING A BEEi- r H| TOie HOME-: AF ER A J_AT£.SES£>"^'