The New York Clipper (September 1906)

838 rrr THE NEW YORK CLIPPER. September 29. Wi5S-Clipper's STAGE FOLK and Some times OTHERS BY J OBEPHINB GEO. Ernest Lamcon, who Is to star In nil own (■lay, relates an amusing Instance which Is an Illustration of the force of habit Lamson, who at the time was managing a play of bis own, had sudden need of an actor for a small part. A hurried call on a Western dramatic agency brought to him the reply that a thor- oughly capable man would reach the company the following morning. The actor-playwright met the newcomer at the depot, the wardrobe of the latter consisting of a large checked, Mght colored milt, fedora hat, tan shoes, long « need of a shine; soiled collar, red necktie, rattan cane, and a small eult case. During the conversation that followed the meeting, the new man several times repeated the declaration that he was "quick studj" and "good memory." He furthermore an- nounced the fact that no rehearsal for his part was necessary, and that all the manager had to do was to tell him once what to do. That night he went on, and, having given a letter perfect performance, received the congratulations of the management and com- pany. The following performance, however, ho spoke very few of the author's lines, and for two or three nights thereafter gave even fewer lines correctly. "What's the matter with you?" angrily asked the stage manager, calling the man to account. "Yon stld you had a good memory, and gave eveiy Mf/ 'and* and 'but' the flwt night." *^My memory is all right, but your policy Is wrong," argued the delinquent. "What has my policy to do with your memory?" demanded Lamson. "Well," was the reply, "I can remember all right for regular work, but your performance? are altogether too far apart." "Too far apart I" exclaimed the manager. "Yea," said the new actor, "I forget *.he lines between times; you see, I've been work- ing In a house where they give four perform- ances a day, and that keep lines fresh In a fellow's memory. With your way of doing business a man bas a whole day to forget them In." * Though the fact of contentions among mem- bers of the same companlea la Invariably de- nied, It seems that such a condition of things existed alwaya, for, away back In the "seven- teen hundreds," when Smollett -wrote "fill BlaB," he refers to It aa a matter of course. , In relating an adventure entailing disguises, Oil Mat says: "Having chaBen our actors— the parts were distributed with-it the leant quarrel or disturbance, because we were not players by profession." * The differentiation between the terms, "wo- man" and "lady," was discussed by a group of actors standing on a corner of the Itlalto district the other day. One of them had Juit resented the flippant query of a comedian among them who had asked, "Who's your lndy-filend you jUBt bowed to?" Thereupon had followed the argument that "woman" waa tho proper designation of tbe sex, presupposing that most of them were Indies. An Incident, most amusingly and unexpect- edly apropos, Interrupted the discussion at that moment. Two policemen bad just caught i. small, murderous looking Italian near tbe spot, and were awaiting the patrol wagon. "What did he do?" one of the actors asked, Btopplng up among the crowd that waa quickly gathering. "lie tried to stab a lady," said the big officer, with a touch of the brogue In his accent. At that moment some ribald shrieks rent the air from another crowd-gatherlngi centre of excitement, the centre proving to he a bedraggled specimen of the feminine sex, who In desperate, ha If-drunken struggles, waa evi- dently trying to got to the Italian, whom alio was anathemlslng In choice "water front" language. "Is that the 'lady' tbe man was trying to stab?" asked the actor. "Surot" was the answer of tbe policeman, which goes to show how indefinite the op- I-ellatlon Is In the different strata of society. One day this week, during Ihe Coney Island Mardl Ores, an elderly couple amidst the crowd waa sauntering along tho parade walk of Luna Park. Majestically following, a short distance behind thorn, was an elephant, on the back of which perched a small boy. The woman was swinging her arms aa she walked, all unconBdoiiB of the proximity of the ani- mal, whose small, sharp eyes appeared to bo fixed upon the hand nearest her escort Per- haps be bad visions of the festive Coney Island peanut so frequently proffered him. At all events, as ho neared tho couple, he gently swayed bis trunk in their direction, then softly thrust the end of It Into tho half closed palm of the woman. Tho Inference might bo that alio thought the gentle touch of the pro- boscis that of her escort, for her receptive hand closed down upon It. InBtantly realis- ing that It wns no hand she bold she turned, then gave a frantic acrenin and ran In among the crowd, and, with her companion, who quickly followed, was lost to view. A little atory Is told of a tiny daughter of Frank Gtlmore, showing an early development of her powers of logical reasoning, The clever actor was supporting a promi- nent star, and during n run of the play In hla home town, the youngster was permitted to sit In oae of the entrances during a matinee, end see her father act. . In one scone she observed the paternal cause of her being, in, what to her was evi- dently a compromising situation. He took the star, upon his knee, according to the business of tbe scene. The child was over- heard a few minutes later to pass some re- irarks which showed her disapproval of her actor-fatber'a action, and stated tier opinion that her mamma might not like It. This wis laughingly repeated to him. That evening at tbe dinner table Gtlmore, turning a solemn eye upon the little one, said: "1 bear, Margery, that yon questioned my action on the Btage this afternoon. Now, little girls who are permitted the privilege accorded you to-day, should not be so ready to criticise. Do you really think it Improper for me to take MIbb upon, my knee?" The wise four-year-old regarded ber father Intently for the space of a minute, evidently deeply pondering the question. Finally she said slowly: "Well—no—not If she loves you." * Much has recently been said concerning the tip "graft" of stage hands. It used to be that tbe graft of the property man on some occasions amounted to a considerable sum. Tbe things that sometimes appeared on the property Hat were frequently misnamed. "For Instance," said tbe old actor, who re- peated this fact, "on one occasion the 'props' of our company had a Hat of things charged up that we weren't using. Among them was 'fuel/ and when being Interviewed by the manager, 'props' confessed that the Item In question was really 'brandy/ for which he had a liking. The association of the two articles evidently suggested a means of heat- ing." 9 A writer of short Btorles entered the office of a magazine editor on Union Square, the other day, with tbe query: OVft EUROPEAN LETTER. FHOH OUR OWN COBBBSPONDRNT. lng, the girls seem to have made this tronpe "I girl riders without sn equal. At tbe Colosseum, In Vienna, the New Once again, and with a big boom, tbe vaude- ville season has opened on the continent Tbe first gun was fired by tbe Hansa Theatre, Hamburg, Aug. 16, and this house, thorough- ly renovated, presented a beautiful appear- ance. It la, 1 realty think, the only house that Is run like our American, vaudeville houses—everything to the second, with no waits nor noise on the stage. The manage- ment here forbids tips to the employes (the only house over here that does). Among the Eerformers on tbe opening bill were: Tbe ive PlrlscofflH, Brothers Kremo, Mlrsl Von Wenzel, Crco Brothers, Les Sonsleff, Charles Prelle'a ventriloqulal dogs, Bernard Morblu, humorist; Horace Goldin, the clever ma- gician, assisted by Jean Franclolll (a big nit); McBanus. the American club jugglers (also a big hit); the Mas-Andresa, French duettlsts; the Wolkowskys, Russian singers and dancers, and tbe talking bioscope. On the same nlgbt, Aug. 10, the Melllnl Theatre, Hanover, opened Its doors, with Mile. Charmeroy, French singer;' Jim and Jam, musical clowns; the New York Comedy Four, Hans Ifanser, a comedian ; Hooker and Mae Davis, American eccentric dancers; Willie Hale, boop roller, and others. The big show, and tbe one visited by all the Kuropean managers, opened la Berlin Wlntergarten, Saturday. Aug. 18, and It was packed to tbe doors, the star feature belog Chung Ling Boo (W. E. Robinson), who made a terrific sensation, and who has many offers to remain on the continent, but cannot return until 1008. His magnificent way of Betting his act on a stage that Is nearly Im- possible for a maglcltin to work on has made bis act worth all the more. It is said that he Is receiving the largest salary ever paid a magician at the Wlntergarten In Berlin, York Comedy Fonr have made their debut on the continent, and Ben Tleber's palace, the Apollo Theatre, opened Sept. 1 without an American act on bis programme, the first ■time since he opened tbe house. But he has a marvelous programme, and draws packed houses, He tells me that he has all toe new ones booked from home that come over. Tbe two copies of Rice and Prevost are now on tbe conttoent—Beece and Prevost a«*a In Mannheim, while Price and Bevoat are In Berlin, at tbe Apollo. Tbe last named are booked In England, and will change their name. The name was given them by one of our own countrymen. Julius Leetlrs twenty-one lions are dying in Russia from eating bad horse meat He refused fCO.OOO a few months ago for tbe show. . _ Ruth St. Denis, tbe dancer, opens in Ber- lin, Oct. L ot the Comic Opera Theatre, and Haharet, the dancer. Just finished the King's Theatres, In CnrlBbad, Marlenbad, Klssln- gen, Teplits and Baden Baden, where she Stayed foi two nights each, and received fly por cent, of tbe recelpta and did the big- Jest business ever done in those theatres a years. _ . Circus Albert Schumann and Arena Bush open their seasons Sept. 15, In Berlin. These two clrcutes ar* bis rivals, and each one tries to outdo the other. Schumann has se- cured several of BoBtock's American acts of wild animals for his house. Morris Cronln and his big show are due to arrive In America shortly. Tbe Americans wilt certainly see one of the greatest shows ever put on the vaudeville Btage when they see this company. *♦» ■ OUR SOUTH AFRICAN 1.RTTER. irtdi*n«poii.._At English's Opera Houba <Ad. F. Miller manager, "Llttff JohES Jones," Sept. if, 18, repeated the success it scored here last season. "The Mayor of Toklo," 10, drew a large and appreciative audience. Walker Whiteside, In ''TbeMaffi Melody," 21, 22; Maude Fealy 24, 25 8 I'ahk (DIckBon ft Talbott, manaeenri — "Behind the Mask," 17-19. pleased big: IioubVs Ernest Hngao, in "Rnfus Rastos/ r 20-2* : "In Old Kentucky" 24-26. . "' Grand Opera IIousr (Shafer Zlegler.man. oger).—For week of 24: The Kaufman Troupe, Augusta Close, Dan Burke and hfe School Girls, Argyra Knstroo, Quaker citv Quartette Patty Bros., Hanson and Nelson Austin Walsh and the bioscope " ei «on. Bmpirr (Chas. Zimmerman,' manager) — The Americans, week of 17, pleased larg. houses. Merry Makers Extravaganza week Oayett (Edward Shayne, managert -~ Harry Br/ant's Extravaganza Co., 17-fo was full Of good comedy and singing numbers' ami pleased large audienre3. The Bachelor Chit. 50-22, Al. beeves' Big Bhow 24-26 WoB Beaters 27-20, Rice ft Barton's Big Gave v Oct. 1-8, Dainty Duchesi 4-6. 8 * y roMMNSpK Hall.— "The Blue Moon" Wonderland. —Week of 17: FlBher and Johnson, the Walseys, and Capt. Fox Zouaves Business was very Mf. Notes. —Fatrbank closed a successful sea- son 16 The White City, will close i Sroapero-JB Beason with a display of Palnes reworks 28. Extensive Improvements are announced for next Beason...... ..Augusta Glow Is featuring "The Four Ages," by Louis Wcslyn, at the Grand Opera House, week of and they alHO pay for the thirty extras he uses nightly In his spectacular shooting Bcene, In which no catches the bullets from fonr from oub own correspondent. loaded gima shot off by four soldiers. His act is really the talk of Berlin. Other Ameri- can acts that made their debut that night, for the first time on the continent, were Toledo and Price, a beautiful and refined con- tortionist act that certainty has had no equal over here, and Dewftt, Burns and Torrence. In their novelty, "The Living Plnytags. Capb Towh, Ava. 16. The new company at the Tlvotl Theatre of Varieties, Capetown, opened on Wednes- day, Aug. 8, ana several of the performers Jumped into tbe favor of a well filled house, and should continue their success during their stay. Julian Mack Is a clever patterer, and his business Is smart and up-to-date. He has become a big favorite. May Moore ihi- Lafayette.—At the Grand (George Man- derback, manager) the Four Hnntfiurs. In "The Fool House/' Sept. 19, had good busi- ness. " 'Wny Down East" 27, ff Th© Cow Puncher" 28, Christian Science lecture 30 "She Looks Good to Father" Oct. 2, "The Isle of Spice" 6. Family. <D. .W. Maurice, manager).—Bill for week of 17: Ed, and Bertha Daly Hy iQreenway, the Roffa, Felix Rice, Laura Mc- Dowell and the bioscope. Notes. —D. W. Maurice has sold his In- terest in the houses at Huntington and Peru and will devote his time to business here Curtis Vance, who has been singing tbe Il- lustrated aoDgs, has been succeeded by Laura McDowell, who sang here earlier In the sea- son Roy Johnson, the bioscope opera- tor, has resigned and bis place will be filled by Curtis Adams. ■ " — Evansviiie.—At the Grand the Wayne Stock Co. gave, week of Sept. 16, "Prince Karl." Wilton Lackaye gave "The Law and the Man," to a packed house. 17.. Peoplb's. —"Hooligan's Trip Around the World" had an advance sale enough to pack the house twice, 23. Cook's Park closed the season 16, by giv- ing a benefit for the lessee of the park. The season was tbe most successful in the park's history. Notes. —The Hoosler Circus was the main attraction at tbe Trl-State fair, and la made up of clever acts The New Wells BIJou will soon be in the hands of Its future man- ager, Mr. Jenkins, and arrangements are being made for an early opening The BIJou (Geo. Sellluger, manager) has opened for the season, after a great many Improvements, and the familiar facea of last season will again be seen. Frankfort.—At the Blinn Walker Whlte- Bfde, in "The Magic Melody," Sept. 24; "Tnc Mummy and the Humming Bird" 28, "Johnny Wise" 28, "Tbe Isle of Spice" Oct. 5. Crystal (Charles Welch, mgr.)—BUI for week of Sept. 24 ; Edmund Sisters, Ripple and Downard, Ethel Young.. Homer and Nash, Chas. and Jennie Welch, and the ktnodromc. Vfncennea.—At the McJImsey Theatre the Van Dyke & Eaton Co. played to capacity, Sept. 17-22. "My Wife's Family" 24, "A Texas Ranger" 27, "A Mad Love" Oct. 1. OKLAHOMA. SCENE FROM "THE PRINCE OF INDIA/* AT THE BROADWAY THEATRE, NEW YORK. "Need nny stories?" to which the busy editor, with a quick glance at a pile of manu- scripts on his desk, replied: "No, I've Btorles to burn I Good after noon t" ' It Is yet a question in the mind of the applicant whether the editor meant that they . were many and bod enough to burn, or that he had an over supply of the material. As the typewriter waa about to be closed at the flnlBh of this column, a smalt, closely written page waa handed tbe player of tbe aforementioned machine. "I enclose the enclosed enclosure," It began, "for your consideration. At the close of thla Summer season, close to the opening of the Winter, It may be that you will not close your columns to one close to the profession. Closing, yours respectfully, J. Klose." The "enclosed enclosure" proved to be a copy of two pages of an autograph album owned by the wife of a well known actor. On the first was Inscribed: "I atn, alwayB, Marie Dressier." On the opposite page was boldly written by the popular "Aunt Jane," of "Panhandle Pelo:" "So am I.—Jane Adelaide Hood." «■ » A Strong Testimonial. Mary 10. P. Thayer writes: "Although 1 stopped my advertisement with-Tan CtOffn the Inst of April, Intending to take a much needed rest during the hot months, 1 did not secure a great deal of that same rest be- cause ot being almost us busy answering In- Julrles from my old ads., and filling orders or samples nnd special material, as x am in the regular season. Let anybody desirous of knowing Ihe value ot advertising In Thh Old Ur.t.uui.i: ask me about It. I find that re- sults from my advertisements are not only Immediate but also on the continuous per- formance line. During the Summer I have written an ncf for Walsh, Powers and Walsh, of Fall Klvcr, Mosb. And before Inserting my first advertisement this month (Septem- ber) I received ordera for two sketches, 1 now have on hand the commlsBlonfl to write thrco sketches, ench one varying very much In the style of characters and plot from the others. One Is a sidewalk conversation for straight and Hebrew, one for blackface come- dian and little girl of five, and one for four pcopl<!—two males, two females. ThlB ts a port of burlesque sketch, 1 am certainly busy with a capital B." These two acts received contracts to last them a long while. Campbell and Johnson, bicyclists, also made their debut. The only trouble with this act is that they have been copied so often. But their success was big just tbe same. Other acta that opened here —most of them known In America—are: Ferry Corwey, the musical clown; Ida Ful- ler, tbe well known fire dancer; Bonbalr Gregory Troupe, At the new Albert Schumann Theatre, Frankfort-on-the-Maln, the latest and really grandest house in Europe, managed by tbe well known lion tamer, Julius Seeth, Sa- lmret, the biggest female star In Europe, Is the feature. This Is her fifth appearance In this town, each time of a month's duration, a ik. they never tire of her. Other newcomers over here on tho bill are Stezelly and Moore, ati act 1 never heard of at home, but really a funny Juggling specialty, and Morcashanl a colored uarltone, known years ago In America. At the .Melllnl Theatre, nanover, Belt Davla and picks, and Paul Conchas, the well known Juggler, are featured. At the ltelcheshnllen, In Cologne, tbe Brit- tons and the Permane Brothers are big hits, nnd at Nuremberg, the Apollo Theatre, Kronen's Boys In Blue are tbe leading stars, and Willie Hale, "tbe Boy on the Olobe." At Circus Carre, Amsterdam, Heely and Meely are the American boeses, while in Budapest, at the Oea Bndaur, Johnson and Dean, and Goleman's dogs represent our country. At the Centrsthatlen, Stettin, Imro Fox, the funniest magician over here, stars the programme, and the Folios Bergere, Paris, Cole de Losbc, and Spissal Brothers mid Mack are the features, while at the Folles Mari- gny, the big feature and sensation is Butb St. Penis, In her famous dance, while equally featured Is Everhart, the wonderful mani- pulator of hoops, and Rltlnge, a female im- fersonator that has gone remarkably big In 'arls, being the flint and only female Imper- sonator they have accepted at a ilrat cIsbs theatre. At the Olympla, Josephine Sabel has opened for a month, and has made a big hit Kara, the Juggler, and Laay Tom Hearn are also solng big. At tbe Varletle, in Trag, Johnson and Wells, and Miss Lorette, with her living statue dog, seem to please greatly. At tho Lnlon Theatre, everybody's favor- ite, Count Lulgl Del Oro, has returned from America. This noble musician has just re- ceived a grand order of merit from the king ot ItlllV. In Vienna, at Ronnacber's, they havo re- built the house, and the' hi; attraction Is Knufiuann's Troupe of Lady Bicyclists, This act Is about the biggest sensation that has cter appeared over here In tbe way of troupes. Thev won't let them leave the stage before ther do fully a half hour Bhow. Over here their clever tricks, and the neat way of drees- prez is well known here, and she repeated the success of her last visit. As "The Jolly Dutch Qlrl" she 1b excellent, and her danc- ing la prettily and cleverly executed. I muat confess that when I first saw Mile. Alexia I waa not favorably impressed, although as a dancer, eue holds her own. On my second vlBlt (when the new company opened), my first impression received a rude awakening. Mile. Alexia Is a star dancer.and her work deserves unstinted praise. Her movements and Bteps are perfect, and she baa aome really elegant costumes. She introduces a per- formance which la well worth seeing. She Is ably assisted by Mons. Orfes, who Is also n tal- ented dancer. Libby Arnold Blondell, Amerl- enn ballad vocalist, 1b also very good, and she scored a hit Majcolm Scott met with a good reception. He Is a clever monologlat, and is quite at-home In his business. Koma and Bomalne are exceptionally clever performers oa musical instruments. Their manipulation o( each Instrument shows careful Btudy and practice, aad the readerlng of each piece Is excellent Kathleen Gray remains for an- other three weeks, and she 1b well received. A benefit will be tendered to B. Plckerluir, the popular manager of the Tlvoll, on Friday Aug. 24, prior to his departure for England to take up tbe position as manager of the Palace, London. A splendid programme la being arranged, and 1 am certain that a bumper house will btd farewell to him. A. C. Hvanan baa been appointed manager of the Tlvoll, and all wish him success. There waa some excitement In Cope Town on Thursday evening, Aug. 2. A bioscope performance was advertised to take place at the Good Hope Hall, and a series of pictures representing "The TortureB of the- Inqui- sition" were advertised to be shown. The plnce was packed, and the flrat part of the performance went off without a hitch. When the Inquisition pictures were'shown tbe hall waa In an uproar. Tbe sheet waa stormed by a volley of egga, and several people rushed on to the platform, and, In spite of the no- £ e to P^ent them, tore down the screen. God Save Ireland" was luatlly aung. The police were reinforced, and the manager cams forward and said he would proceed with the show, but he wsb treated to a volley of easa. and disappeared. A well-known Catholic mounted the stage, and said that every man denounred such an exhibition, but advlard everyone to go home quietly, as aucb a ner- formance would not be tolerated again. The audience dispersed quietly. There wbb an- other perfnrmnnce on Saturday, and the hall wns pneked to the doors, but the objection- able pictures were not shown. It wbb a grand advertisement for tbe management. « i » Tim Zanciqb aall for Europe Oct 9, to fill thirty wecka* booking in London, Berlin, Paris and Hreraen, opening Oct. 22 at the Alharabra, London, Oklahoma city.—At the Overboleer the local season opened Sept 15, with Cole & Johnson's "Shoo Fly Beglment," 10,10. "The Country Editor" 17, "A MeaBage from Mars" 18, Dixie Minstrels 21. , Bijou Airdoub. —For 16 and week: Mar- velouB Flgarro, Jack Benson, Dolly Wells, Wells BroB., and Bljougraph. Umi'ibb.— Bill for 16 and week, Mr. and Mrs, Gottlob, the Hlrschorns, the Delacys, and klnodrome, did a fair business. Dblmah Gabden. —The garden was da.-k for 16 and week, but will open for its final week 23, with Banda Rossa. . Note.— Hagenheck: comes Sept. 21; Sing- ling Bros. Oct 8. «»» VERMONT. BurliiiRton.—At the Strong Theatre (Cahn & Grant, managers) "The Beauty and the Beast" did well Sept 17. "Tbe Black Crook," 19, pleased. "The Irish Pawnbrok- ers," 20. Black Dike Band 25. Shepard moving pictures 26, 27. "The Arrival of Kitty," booked 24, canceled. MARIsN STANLRY, . Whose picture appears on our front page, is a native of Brooklyn, and has beep upon the Btage since childhood. Many will remember "Little Marion, the Child Wonder," who was a local favorite with the amateur perform- ances of the above named city. Her nrBt pro- fessional engagement wbb with Henderson's "Blue Beard* Co., in which Bhe played Jack, the Giant Killer, after which ane attended school and graduated with honors. Later she waB with the Boston Comic Opera Co. Bhe then became a member of the Amaranth Dra- matic Society, of Brooklyn, with which, for five years, Bhe played, leading roles. m.Nh Stanley's next professional engagement was with the James It Walte Co., playing leading roles in "Uncle Terry" and ir The Minister i Daughter." The next two years she playe-J vaudeville, doing dancing and ballads. Her next engagement waa with "The English Daisy" Co., and while playing in Syracuse waa attacked by a Hon which figured in the Eerformance, Here she was badly wounded, ut with good health and will power she smut was again able to resume her role. Her next Benson was spent in a stock opera company at Cincinnati, playing in "The Isle of Cnatu; pagne," "The Slocking Bird," "El Capitan, "Said PaBha," "Blllle Taylor/' "Enninle., "The Telephone Girl," "The French Maul and "The Girl from Paris." At the end of this engagement she accepted the prliim donna role In "Me, Him and I." During the season she resigned from this company nii-i Joined "The Wliard of Ob,' to play the Lady Lunatic. Last season she was again n r M ' the same company, playing Trlxle Try'!''- MIbs Stanley was btlfl under contract wi'.u "The Wizard of Ob," but by tbe kindness M Julian Mitchell, obtained a release to J«j» "The Rogers Brothers in Ireland" Co., '■' which she Is now playing Alice O'Grady. *++ Wor.riKO'B hohhbh were highly praised by tho Byracus-) fjt, T.) papers, week » Sept, 16, when they appeared at the Grain Opera House Id that city. One paper stat™ that the act wsb of a most interesting charn:•- ter, and that tho animals "performed the r tricks with the precision of TVest Point ca- dets."