The New York Clipper (February 1906)

1266 THE ISTEW YORK CLIPPER. Februabi 3 Mi55 (Tipper's COHCSBHIHO STAGE FOLK and Some times OTHERS II JOMPE1NB GEO. Harry A. Btevens, of the Btevens Comedy Co., tells an Incident Illustrating the fact that though managers of place* of amuse- ment In small towns ma; fill the offices of Janitor, ticket seller, bill poster and all the other duties that one person can manage In a town theatre, they are not all "op" In the vernacular of the stage. A. C. Van Blyke, Mr. Stevens' stage man- ager, looked up the stage manager of the theatre In a Michigan town a* soon as the company arrived one night Not surprised to find he was the "whole thing" there, he made known his wants concerning the flrst set of the play. "By the way." said Van Blyke, "have you a cut woodT' "No, I h'aln't," replied the man, "but I kin durn soon cut you aome." The ever busy applicant for stage honors, and salary. Is alwaya In evidence to the over busy manager, who receives bushels of letters during the year, and the writers seldom fail to have the utmost confidence in their su- preme ability. And, indeed, a great many of them are clever, If the opportunity were only given them. The possession of histri- onic talent, however, is not always disclosed In their chlrography, grammar or spelling, though this fact may be the misfortune of the writers rather than their fault The following leadpenclled letter was re- cently received by Manager Harry A. Stevens, who regretted that he had no suitable place in his company for the audience-attracting talent of the writer: "Dear Friend," It read, "I saw In the new york Clipper that yoo want a Heavy and juvenile man. I am five feet an 8 walght 1B0 ponds I can dance one way that Is like a train living a stashln. I sm a Comedaln duch Irish Blackface I got a apecilty for jour 4 act I am a atage manager an pro- perty man. I am 18 yers old an been on the road for 4 yers. A yer an haf with one A hat yer with a Nother A yer with one an One yer with A nother L I plaid a week with a company once an the flrBt nlte we had 200 an 60 peple. The manager said that will never do we will have to walk home If this keeps up I said keep still I can bring a honse full peple next nlte. He said if you can do that I give you 2 dollara for It. 8o 1 took a Boy with me 1 took him In the show for helping me I put on him a Comedaln suit on him I Calrle him on my hesd I went Thugh aome of my act out in the street the manager mid Stop that for yon wont have no act left for tonight I said Is that bo. When time for the curtain to go up he looked thugh an ssld It Is a fullhouse now. I said 1 no It ser. Bo the show went on an the last time 1 hearred from them they want me to manage the stage for 815.00 a week. I gees this Is all this time so good by write soon. Tours truly." (Signed). t Jos. S. Fox, of Houston, Tex., tells the following Juvenile Interruption to a scene that broke up both company and audience: During the recent holidays a company, pre- senting "The Eternal City," was touring the South, and at a performance In Dallas a small boy In one of the boxes might be seen paying very strict attention to the actor Im- personating the part of the white bearded priest of the Vatican. The fluffy white hir- sute adornment of the holy man'a chin being very much in evidence, was unmistakable proof to the youngster of the monk's identity, for as the actor was leaving the stage the boy shrilly called out: "Bee 1 Mamma, Santa Claus Is going away. A feminine acquaintance of Lew Woods, the young treasurer of the Broadway The- atre, Brooklyn, approached the window the other afternoon, after most of the seata had been sold. "I want two of the very best seata in the house, Mr. Woods," she said. "Sorry," said the treasurer sympathetically, "but the beet are all gone. If you want to go In, I'll have to put you In the 'lemon* row." "The lemon row," ahe repeated, knowing that the treasurer had some Joke up hie sleeve, and, "biting" at his reply, asked: "to that the row In which, like the lemon, yon'ro apt to get squeexed?" An American actor, attending a perform- ance at a London theatre, not long ago, re- peats a bit of cockney dialect that he heard there. Two coster friends who had become sepa- rated In the crush and rush at the entrance of the "pit," finally, after getting seata, sighted each other on opposite sides of the place, and straightway began, in loud voices, a personal conversation serosa the space that separated them. After a lengthy talk that amused the lis- teners, one of them settled back In his seat, and, In his vernacular, slgnlflylng that the curtain might go up so far as he was con- cerned, exclaimed: "Well now, pally, oime all ready to tike In the ply," and, turning toward the stage, be shouted "Hyst the rag 1" t A Jocular manager recently sent a young man In aearch of a position with a letter of recommendation to one of hla managerial friends. The letter ended with the tribute that the young man was "uncommonly sulci at ftauret." After resdlng the letter, the manager turned to the applicant and said: "But I don't want a matBemaiiOias, I've got a good book keeper already. I need tome ons to select show girls for my productions." "Well," smiled the applicant, "that's me— your friend means that I'm quick at picking winners In snipes." - * • Lew Dockstader, who last week closed an engagement at the-New York Theatre, tells how be recently escaped from an annoying predicament He had to add eight new verses to a topical song, and not being very familiar with tbem, he adopted the expedient of penciling the flrst lines of each on bis property celluloid cuffs—four on each. Hearing his call to go on he hurriedly snatched his wrist decorators from the dress- ing table, adjusting them as he made for the atage. Unfortunately, In hla haste, he had reversed the penciled ends to the top, and. when ready for the, additional verses he casually glanced at his right cuff, pulling it a trifle from his sleeve In a way men have. The caff was blank,- and the minstrel's flrst thought was that he would have to "cut" .the verses. . . "It can't be that my little old celluloids have gone back on me," he thought then pro- ceeded to fill In time with Jokes and his usual monologue, at the same time desperately tugging and twisting at bla caffs to get a view of the lines written thereon. Hla readywittrained by years of stage emer- gencies, then came to his aid. Still keeping up hla Ore of runny talk, he removed the turned celluloids In a leisurely way, as If It were a bit of stage business, and readjusted them, thereby recovering his lost lines, which he proceeded to deliver aa though no Interrup- tion bad taken place. lic ..- «i » —» OUR LONDON LETTER. TROK OCX OWN CORRESPONDENT. Clipper Bareaua, 48 Crnnboarne Street, Leicester sqaare, London, W. C, Jan. 20. "The Little Cherub," a new musical play, by Owen Hall and Ivan Caryl), bad Its flrst public performance last Saturday night, et the Prince of Wales'. The flrst title se- lected for tbe piece was "The Pet of the Public/" but It was shelved for the present one. The plot tells of the doings of a certain Lord Sanctonbury, a member of tbe purity party, who baa acquired fame by means of an article contributed to a monthly maga- zine on tbe subject of "The Debasement of Public Amusements." The peer Is tbe proud father of four lively girls, who love all things connected with the theatre as much as their father detests them. Tbe girls, unknown to their stern parent have plunged Into private theatricals, and, by an accident, bave ob- tained the assistance of a sprightly London actress. Chance brings the latter and Lord Sanctonbury together, with the Inevitable re- sult tbat that gentleman falls an easy victim to the lady's charms, The finish is brought about In the usual way. Tbe flrst nlgbters voted tbe piece a success, although much fault has been found with tbe book, because of the oldness of tbe subject of peers and flirting actresses. Tbe music is very bright and tuneful. The run Is sure to be a long and profitable one. Adverse criticism on the opening of "The Jury of Fate," at the Shaftesbury, have In- terferred with tbe business to such an extent that the management announces Its with- drawal on Jan. 27. The play bas some ex- cellent points, and could possibly be worked Into a success if given time, but the light houses have had their effect The Shaftes- bury, however, Is not to be closed for any length of time, Inasmuch as Thomas Byley, tbe lessee, bas arranged with Nat C. Good- win, who has been In London for a fortnight, to appear there wttbtn a week or two. Mr. Goodwin will start bis season with the com- edy, "A Glided Fool," which bas been played bv the comedian for so many years In the States. Before Its presentation the play will be thoroughly overhauled to meet the requirements of an English audience, and should Mr. Goodwin be successful In secur- ing the favor of the audiences he will put on other playa In hla repertory, ranging from farce to sentimental comedy. He will be sup- ported by a company of English players. Cyril Maude, In hla opening at the Wal- dorf, on Wednesday, offered two new plays for the public's approval. The curtain raiser, "The Partlk'Ier Pet," from Max Mnreys "L'Aslle de Nult," by Edward Knoblauch, has for its story simply tbls: There Is a casual ward, of which the superintendent Is a bum- bug, named Nlcholls. He bas as his pet one of the Inmates, called "Skilly," and he gets blm to do most of the dirty work. A tramp called Tutt cornea for a night's lodging, and la bullied and Ill-treated by Nlcholls, according to the custom of the place. Some- how or other, however, Nlcholls afterwards gets the Idea that Tutt Is a reporter In dis- guise, and alters his manner towards blm. Tutt has not the least idea what the man means, but makes tbe best of the position and usurps "Skllly'a" place aa "The Partlk'Ier Pet.' r Mr. Maude. In his portrayal of the tramp, Tutt scored, and the little piece was put down aa a success, the play occupying the moBt of tho evening's entertainment, ;The Superior Miss Pellender," a comedy, In three acta, Is by Sidney Bowkett Tbe story: Mrs. Pellender is a widow younger than forty nnd still good looking, who lives with her four children at Ablndon. Bhs Is a charming woman, and Mr. Tester, a bashful, timid, and eccentric bachelor, living In the neighbor- hood, wishes to marry her. When he flrst meets her tbe children are away on a vaca- tion and before they come back matters are all fixed np subject only to the breaking of the news to the family. This family is beaded by Grace Pellender, a young woman of seventeen, prim, precise, conceited; masterful and domineering. Sbe is her father's daugh- ter and it Is to be Inferred that with that father the mother had had rather a down- trodden sort of life. Then there Is Edith, a spoilt and petted child, who always pre- tends to bo 111. The two other children are of a different manner. Both of them, boy and girl, are most loving, natural rompB on whom their eldest sister's oppression weighs heavily. Mrs, l'cllender's chief anxiety Is how Grace will take the matter of her re- marriage, and a greater part of the play is consumed In breaking the news. Grace tnlnka at one time that Tester has come alter her with her mother's consent, and ahe Is furi- ously Indignant But she Is piqued when she finds her mistake. At last as the only chance of peace, Tester and M-s. Pellender have to elope together, leaving a letter to explain things. The prominent characters are In the hands of Mr. Maude and Winifred Emery. At the final curtain on the opening night there waa much applause, and the audience left the theatre thoroughly pleased with their evening's entertainment ....... «_„ The German military drama, "Lights Out." whleb ran with much success at the Wal- dorf a few weeks ago. was produced at ths Savoy last Monday night under the direc- tion of H. B. Irving. The letter's role, that of the young officer, Lieutenant Von Lauffen, is being played by Leslie Feber, and Eva Moore Is the Klara, as In the Waldorf pro- duction. _ In Vienna, a new play, by Frana von Scbontnan, entitled "Three Adventures of An English Detective," hss Just been presented, and with such success that an English ver- sion is now being prepared by tbe Interna- tional Copyright Bureau for London usage. It Is very interesting to note tbe recep- tion accorded the English players who gave a performance of "The Walls of Jericho, In Holland, last week. It was the first time a flay bad been done In English In that coun- ry. A member of the company Is responsible for the following: "When the curtain fell on ths third act at tbe Hague we could not make out what had happened. The cries of bravo sounded exactly like wolf noises. They were simply a series of vo-vo-vo's, which, of course, was very encouraging, but quite disconcert- ing until we discovered what the cries meant. We bad some amusing times with the lan- guage altogether. At one station it seemed as If tbe platforms must be crowded with sheep, so persistent were the baa-a-a's. It appeared that tbe name of tbe place was Basra, and that the porters announced that fact In that strange way. The queen dowager came to see us at the Hague. We felt so sorry for tbe ' people la attendance; they stood right through the performance, so there was only one place In the box that gave a good view of tbe stage, and, of coarse, the queen was In tbat. They all seemed rather surprised at tbe number of cushions used by the ladles la the play. Their own furniture la all stiff and formal, and they like to alt upright In It. One of the papers went so far aa to comment on the free and easy manner of sitting upon tbe back of a sofa to talk to anybody*' H. H. Felber, B. F. Keith's European repre- sentative, landed In London after a rather rough passage. He will remain In town for a day or two longer before commencing a continental trip of a few weeks' duration. He returns to America some time in March. Mr. Hart of Collins and Hart was driv- ing in a cab one night early in tbe week to pick np his partner on tbe way to the Oxford, where the comedians performed first when tbe vehicle struck another cab and Mr. Hart was quite severely Injured about the knees with pieces of broken glass. He waa taken to tbe Charing Crosa Hospital and an opera- tion was found necessary to remove the small piece* of glass from his legs and knees. The operation was performed successfully, but Mr. Hart will be unable to leave tbe hospital until the middle of next week. Eugene Stratton Is at tbe Coliseum again for a month, and Is singing a new song by Leslie Stuart, entitled "There's Nothing Like Tour First Lore After AIL" He is also singing "The Coon Who Never Told a Lie," a strong provincial hit. Giuseppe Sacco, a Hungarian, who achieved fame ou the continent as a fasting man, commenced, Thursday afternoon, at the Royal Italian Circus, a forty-five days fast During the fast Mr. Sacco remains In a specially constructed glass room, from which he la not allowed to move. An unlimited quantity of cigarettes and mineral waters are his only diet. Twice 'round the world is the record of Lydla Yeamans and Fred J. Titus, and next week they start again on another prolonged colonial tour, which will include Australia, New Zealand, and probably India. Tbe tour Is of special Interest, Inasmuch as It la ?radically a farewell tour of the music halls. n the future they will travel with a com- pany of their own. Extensive though her repertory la, Miss Yeamnxs makes no secret of the fact that her favorite song, and that of tbe public, Is "Sally." She regards it as her mascot, and wherever she goes her audi- ences demand it Victoria Monks, who will open at tbe Coliseum on Jan. 20, will Introduce two new songs, entitled "Can't You Hear Me Calling. Jasper Brown?" snd "On Our Honeymoon, both written and composed by J. F. Lambe snd Tom Mellor. Nste Leipzig, prestldlgitateur, Is a recent newcomer from the States. He will open at the Palace on Monday, and, as be Is said to be very clever, his engagement ought to be a pleasant one at that house. The Four Lukena sail for America to-day, from Antwerp, and will begin their American time at Hammersteln's, Feb. S. Tbey are booked solid till next Fall, when they return to the continent to fulfill another long string of bookings. In every European city their success has been phenomenal, and return dates were Immediately made. Mrs. Gus Lu- ken will remain In London with her people while her husband 1b in the States. The lat- ter, who waa in town for a few days, called at the office yesterday. The Musical Johnstons arrived at Liver- pool late Saturday, after a very rough voyage. They Immediately went to Greenock, where they opened on Monday. They topped the bill and made a bit of no small size on-their reappearance In this country. They partici- pated in the ship concert, and Mrs. Dorothy Drew Johnston and Mrs. James Johnston sang, to the great enjoyment of tbe fellow passengers. Diamond and Beatrice, wbo made a great success on the tour controlled, by Harry Blckarda In Australia, are back from that country. They open a Moss & Stoll engage- ment at Leicester. Stlne and Evans opened at tbe Tlvoll, Man- chester, on Jan. 1. In a sketch, entitled "Wanted, a Divorce," and made such a good Impression that they were offered immediate time on one of the big tours. The Palace' Theatre of Varieties, Belfast, reverts to Variety business on Monday next after pantomime, a syndicate of which Wai- ter De Free'ce Is head, having leased tbe the- atre for a .number of years. Edwin Leslie, of the' Hippodrome, Southampton, has been appointed acting manager, Billy McClaln, who staged tbe pantomime of "Jack and Jill," at The Royal Theatre, Leeds, has received some very 'pattering no- tices for his novel chorus effects. '■-,'. Frank Rogers, for many years connected with the London Hlopodrome as manager of the advertising department, has resigned from that position. Mildred Howard de Gray, the barefoot dancer, who haa Just returned from Russia and Berlin, will make her appearance at the Tlvoll on Monday next A new comedy trio opened at the Middle- sex last Monday night, and there Is every In- dication that the newcomer la here to stay. After tbe first night the rough edges were smoothed out to the satisfaction of not only the members of the organization, but to several agents, wbo offered time at once. The trio is called the Columbia Comedy Trio, and the members are: A. W. Ferguson, late of the Harmony Four; Harry Sheldon, form- erly tenor soloist of the Al. Field Minstrels, snd J. Bernard Dudley, a bass singer, who has been connected with the George Ed- wardes shows for some years. Comedy and excellent singing are blended to a nicety, tbe singing being much above tbe ordinary. D. A. Sweeney, who has been Identified with tbe advertising department of several New York theatres, has been appointed ad- vertising manager of the big Winter Palace, at Olympla. He was lately with the Mc- Caddon Show, In France. Norman J. Norman, the well known the- atrical manager, who first came to London with "Tbe Belle of New York" Co., has leased a whole building, at 23 Haymarket, and same will be devoted to tho steamship agency business, which he carried on at 33 Haymarket until the Increase of business compelled him to move into larger quarters. Mr. Norman caters especially to American artists coming to this country. Belle Veola, wbo Is known In America, is In London. The Martlnes arrived from London early In the week, and atopped over a few days before leaving for Glasgow 'where tbey open on Monday, at the Palace. Tbey expressed themselves as being thoroughly pleased with their trip to South America, but are clad to get back to a country where English Is spoken all the time They have no open time until early in 1908, but bave left a few weeks open this Summer In order that they may re- turn to America for a vacation. Fred Ireland writes tbat bis present en- gagement at the Apollo Theatre, Vienna, lias been one of the most enjoyable he has ever played In hla long career In the show busi- ness. He has found the manager, Mr. Tel- ber, to be very fair In hla dealings with per- formed playing that theatre. The personal estate of the late George Le Brnnn, a well known writer and composer of music ball songs, is declared of the value of The Olympla, In Calcutta, bas been closed, and the performers wbo went to India from tbls country many months ago, are said to be stranded. The money deposited with Thos. Cook A Son, as security for their return fares to England, was withdrawn about a month previous to the closing of Olympla. rhe show was opened on Nov. 4, and collapsed on Dec. 10. The performers were engaged In England, and the agent wbo acted In good faith, was under tbe Impression that their fares were secure as well as their salaries. Miss Dagmar came to England as an agent of tbe company, snd last Summer engaged a number of people In accordance with her Instructions from the company. Hanegan and his bicycle polo team are with the com- pany. Arrangements have been made to have some benefit performances at tbe Royal, Cal- cutta. Tbe body of Mrs. Courtney arrived from South Africa yesterday and was removed to St. Mary's Cemetery, Kensal Green, where It will remain In the catacomb. George Courtney met the ship conveying tbe re- mains. Maud Courtnev sails for South Af- rica on Jan. 81, and will reach London about the middle of February. 8he opens on the Moss A Stoll tour shortly after her arrival. April 2 Miss Courtney commences a four weeks' engagament at the Palace. Ira Miller, who has very successfully looked after the London Interests of the Harry Von Tllzer Music Publishing Co., will shortly sever his connection w' *» the Lon- don office of the firm, and will ..'1 for New York on Jan. 81. •BlorUof Players. NOUS VBOM THE CHACNCEY-KeIFFER Co., under the management of Fred Chauncey, and featuring Grace Kelffer.—We are In our twentieth week of successful business, and tbe roster of the company Is the same as when we opened, no changes having been made, except to add four extra specialty acts. On our return engagement at Rochester we broke the honse record on Christmas Day, laying two performances at advanced prices. Ve also broke the record at Meadvllle New Year's Day and night. We have a repertory of ten plnys, and carry special printing fo.' seven of them. We have eight specialties, four of tbem feature acts. Grace Kelffer, singing soubrette; Montambo and Mclntyre, comedy acrobats: Harry Gordon, clever boy dancer; Ed. Dorwood, hand equilibrist; John Taylor, novelty bag puncher; Geo. T. Powers, comedy slack wire act; Harry 11. Glass, Illustrated songs and moving pictures, and tbe well known comedian, Ben Green- field. The company numbers nineteen people, as follows: Grace Kelffer, Anamae Blossom, Llda Hall, Josephine Franklin, Marlon Gllli3, Rogers Barker, Francis Bush, Ben Greenf elu, John Taylor, Harry Gordon, Wayne Darby, Harry Glass, Ed. J. Mclntyre, Nap. Montam- bo, Ed. Dorwood, Geo. T. Powers, Artbur Snyder and Fred C. Chauncey. John B. Oldfield, recently manager of the Comings Theatre, Fltchburg, Miss., has taken tbe Whitney Opera House, and la mak- ing several changes, to conform with tbe new State laws. He reopened aame Saturday, Dec. 80. For the present be will play only at- tractions that can appear without movable acenery, but later will be able to use all kinds of attractions. Mr. Oldfield was formerly manager of the Whitney for six or seven years. Jack Da Castillo writes tbat he Is In his twentieth week with Stuttz's No. 1 "Was Sbe to Blame" Co.. playing the artist, Laurence Severn. This la Mr. De Castillo's second season with this company. Henri H. Batex, manager of the Hunts- vllle Opera House, Huntsvllle, Ala., writes: "I receive Tub Clippeb every week, and I could not get along without it. My business the past year has been a record breaker. The house closes March 3, but I will build a new bouse In the Summer, and try oad have It ready for business In September." Lous Peble, musical director of the "Beggar Prince Opera Co., recently broke bis leg;, and will have to retire from active work for several weeks. Detroit, Mich., Nora.—After a heavy week, with "Monte Cristo," at the Lafayette Theatre, the Livingstone Stock Co. opened the week of Jaa 21 with Milton Nobles' "From Sire to Son." The company is now permanently established at this bouse for the remainder of the season and Summer. Louise Carter has been engaged for leads. She will open In "Da Barry," the week of Jan. 28. Three other new members of the company are: Andrew Waldron, who recently closed a starring tour iu "Alvln Joslln;" Jennie Ca- lef and P. J. Duggan. This gives Manager F. H. Livingstone a Btock organization of nineteen members. Ned Nelson was a recent Clippeb caller. ft CLIPPER CABTOOSS. No. 36. Features on our cartoon page this are snapshots of several of theleadln • acters and incidents in George M i success, "Forty-five Minutes from Bron-' now enjoying a successful run at th.' Amsterdam Theatre, and several of th> Important scenes from "Madeline" "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary," which • ly held sway at tbe Garrlck Theatre. \ vllle sketches Include: the Jackson i of 'Cyclists, Paul Clnquevalll. R. a. I». Creasy and Dayne, Serra, hand bal the Musical Cuttys, Hoey and Lee, thi- sons, and Howard nnd North, at Hn steln'B Victoria Theatre. <<ek sr- ■aa 07." •ew ■re sad ■fit. •» ,:i, rts, •*r; •if a- ner- Norrs from Horne's "Bii Van Wi- ir« Co.—We opened our Winter season a; rV. neva, Or, Dec. 22, to 8. B. O. Christina •>',; at Conneaut 0., we gave two perfor--\«K to packed houses, ana did the same a- aim ance, New Year's Dsy. We bave an ■■i»l lent caat, a fine band of fourteen, ar„i or cbestra of nine. All special scenery an<< (■•--' trlcal effects are carried by the coii'.anv Roster is as follows: Harry Borne ' sif. owner: Ed. Hale, manager; J.E. Cole 'ii»»t Arthur Fordham, cornet soloist and hand master; R. C. McGrandy, orchestra I, ,'der- Fred S. Dlckerson, master of transportation 1 Harry Horner, 0. E. Owen. L. A. snW bach, H. C Whitney, A. B. Van Hus-n Jr thus Jones, James Chest, Pete Chrht<nson B. C McFarland, Lillian Montrose j«nnl» Treabnm, Baby Edna and Baby \]) : , ">'„., sJayi He bas Just closed seventy weeks, playing his original part of Doogan. the landlord, also directing the stage with the "A Bell Boy" Co. He will go Into vaudeville for a short season, and has signed with a Broad- way attraction for next season. Lei Obland reports meeting with success as the "chink" In Steward & Davis' produc- tion of "Nugget Nell." He is also Intro- ducing his Juggling speclaltteB, which, he writes, are the hit of the bill. Bona Wallace Hopfeb has secured leave In the British Columbia courts, for an appeal to the Privy Council, of England, against cx-premler James Keough A Co. Tub. Crinnian Bbos. write: '"The Troubles of Eight Twins,' presented with an ell star cast of players, will open the season at 8uffolk, Vs., Feb. 2, and the tour Is rap- idly being booked. All special scenery Is being painted, and a full line of special paper will be used, making It one of the finest equipped sbows on the road. Following Is the complete roster of "the company: Crln- nlan Brothers, sole proprietors; C. A. Crln- nlan, general manager: J. M. Crlnnlan, treasurer; Will 8. Beecher, business mana- ger ; Brltton Stephens, musical director; Leo fi'.T.Inihv in ""T^M""Vnd"£adv "Algy." •! Florence, stage director; Benjamin Wells, VJnSSlot PlevdSl " "Brotbc? ^fliers.'' ftm»T™rkK««WT. S«»J?r of proper &""$#, Count Orloff. la th"revival ol "Diplomacy," and played two seasons wit" John Drew In "The Mummy and the Hum; mlng Bird" and "The Second In Command. Specialties are given between each ret bv Baby Gladays, Baby Edna, Miss M ■■•r-ni and Mr. Fordham, also Illustrated sonn tr * moving pictures. Our band la featured In noonday concerts, snd Is receiving approval of the critical. Mr. Fordham takes great Interest In his band, and keeps supplied with the very best material, etc Ax. BEA8UT writes: "The annual Christ- mas tree affair was held In the dlnlnr room at Mrs. Lyncb's hotel. In Brockton, Mass and the members of the Myrkle-Harder Co! also the visitors, will have just cause to re- member this, the eighth Christmas tree ex- ercises, as the greatest event In tbe history of the company. Over three hundred presents were exchanged by the various members of tbe company, and some of great value. I was presented by Messrs. Myrkle A Harder with a diamond horseshoe tie pin and several articles of smaller value, and received from each member some token of friendship. The visitors were Alberta Boy, leading woman for the Bavoy Theatre Co., and Mabel Van Tassel, heavy woman of the same company. Henry Crosby, our heavy man, was Santa Claus. Tbe fun lasted from 8 p. ji , Sunday, until early Monday a. m. The Brockton dallies devoted two column articles In writing up the grand good time enjoyed by our com- pany. A novelty I am now using ahead of the show la a neat uniform for bill boys, which create quite a deal of notice. Our business Is splendid all along tbe line. No changes have occurred in the company since the opening, and the Myrkle-Hsrder com- panies are making themselves firm favorites." Manages Tuos. Jeavons writes: "On New Year's night the house at Hunton, \V. Va., waa packed to witness the opening perform- ance of Jeavons' Stock Co. Just before the curtain arose on the first set a parlor lamp exploded In a dressing room. The oil Im- mediately took fire anil started a good sited blaxe, which would bave resulted In serious toss of life had I not used every effort to extinguish the flames by a bucket brigade. Bevtral hundred people left the theatre, the latte, being full of smoke. Finally the Are was extinguished, and after the smoke had cleared from the theatre, the performance went on. I received a fracture of my right leg, caused by falling over a property trnnk during the fire. Luckily the fire started In a dressing room and was shut out from the view of the audience." Claiience Acbkinos writes: "I closed with the Tom Marks Co.. as agent, Dec. 26, at Virden, Mon„ and joined Andrew Hc- Pbee's Big Co., as agent Mr. Mcl'hee car- ries a company of twenty-eight people and a band and orchestra, playing one night and two night stands, to S. li. 0., and get- ting return dates. Tbls makes bis sixth season out here. We are on our way to tbe Pacific coast" . . Following Is the roster of the Gllck Stock Co.: James McN'avin, general agent; James C. Godley, stage director; FTank Lynn, stage manager; Lew Kraner, master of properties: Fred Steltxer, electrician and moving pic- tures : Harry Gllck, sole owner and mana- ger; Hunt and Troy, singing and dancing; Miss Putlllo's troupe of trained dogs; Mme. Jessica, contortion; Geraldlne Godley, J. J. Boyle, Bonlta Lesley, Leila Gllck, Jessie Troy, Harry Lee, and Rodger Koblnson, mu- sical director. Everybody Is happy, and Ths Old Beliablb reaches us every week. Thi manias of "A Trip to Egypt Co. were tendered a bannuet by Sidney P. Spenct, proprietor of the National Hotel, at Fau City, Neb., at the e'ose of tbe rehearsal ana reorganization of the above company. A very pleasant evening wss spent by nil present. The fan commenced by Mills snd Lewis, who put everybody In good humor. Then came Goff Phillips, with his past and present «- fterlence. Guy Matteson sang one of nis atest publications. Qilmour and Letour gave one of their entertaining specialties. Grant Hoag did his old time statue clog. After a Bleasant evening all retired, with the hone 1st tbey meet more such landlords In we future. . , ... Halph H. Fabb.ui, pianist, who Is In his seventeenth week with Belcher's Comedians. reportB a very lucceesful season. ♦♦♦ GUY STANDING Was educated for the British Navy, but gave It up, and went in for a stage career In 1889, with. Charles Wyndham, at tbe Cri- terion Theatre, London, and later at toe Jlrury Lane Theatre, under the mana S ccient of the late Augustus Harris. He the 0 played a short season with Willie Edouln. at the Strand Theatre, which led to an Aus- tralian tour with Mrs. Bernard Bee-rc. Be came to America In 1893, under the manage ment of Marcus Mayer, and, Joining Charles Frohman's forces in tbe Bamo year, be ess remained with him ever since. Mr. Stniiainsj played Dick Curistor, In "Sowing the Vi m<i. and Jim Wynd, la '"Sue." with Annie Ilus- sell. He was In the original product.':] oi "The Little Minister" with Maude .yfcina, and then became a member of the i-i"Pl™ Stock Co., where he created Hugo He Grande- pre, In '?fue_ Conquerors ;'\ Marquis i* ties; Master Haney, Chas. H. Warde. Ed. A. Parker, Jos. Taylor, Leo Florence, May Lemuels, Edna May, Jessie Shirley, Carrie May, MIbs Haney, WcIIb and Shirley, Haney and Haney, and Parker end Florence." "The Heabt of Ibblano" Norts.—This comedy drama was first produced on any stage at Frederick, Md., Monday, Nov. 20 and created quite a sensation, owing to the neatness of the production. Mr. Wright the star, made a hit with his new songs. "The Heart of Ireland" la an up-to-date musical eonaedy drama, full of laughter and pathos and bright catchy songs and dances. The supporting company has been engaged for Its fitness and ability for the roles, In pref- erence for beauty, and a good two snd a half hours performance Is the result Sherman F»lk, property master with the "Peggy from Paris" Co., entertained the entire company and the attaches of the Ma- sonic Theatre. Louisville, Ky„ at a banquet on the stage of that theatre, Tuesday, Jan. 1, after the performance. The occasion was the celebration of the birth of a nephew to Mr, Field. He was leading man with Fay Davis iu in< Whitewashing of Julia" and "Lady l.»f' Daughter." Last season he was with .Mrs Patrick Campbell, la "The Sorceress. » the close of which he headed a buc'«!"j Summer season In stock ot Washington, fine appeared this season with Nat C. Go*'*"! ln^'Wolfvllle." Mr. Standing will "■•"*" rate his starring season at Washlnc"■ ', C, May 4, in Edgar Selwyn's new coi--<W 'A Man of Business." ' n > Carroll Johnson In Vn«devW< Carroll Johnson, who played Keith'.- 'J« atre. New York, week of Jan. 15, with ■ ■»» houses on the Keith circuit to fojlo"-'™ Improved his act to Buch an extent tha' i •«" Is little of the original Idea left, good ;•■• • was. "The Chesterfield of Minstrels) '* Heves In the best In all lines, and, •■•»£ quently, finds himself nmong the fentur- .' on every bill.