New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-10-19
Charlotte Cuehman.

Noting the appearance Of this grea'
actress at McVicker's Theatre, the dramatic
writer of the Chicago Post takes occasion
| to relate the following interesting reminis
cence of the days when she was an humble
member of a stock company, and played
Meg Me,rilies for the first time:
| From Miss Cushman's own lips the writer
of this once heard the history OF her trst
appearance in the role of Meg INerrilies. 1t
| happened while she was filing the part OF
| walking lady at the old Park Street Theatre,
| New York, in the season OF lS3-S, and was
| the result of pure accident. John Brahan.
| the great London tenor, was performing an
| engagement at the time, and series Of
| light English operas had been put upon the
| boards Guy Mannering," which was
| originally produced as musical drama,
was one of these. The greater part of the
play was spoken, but melodies and set
pieces were interspersed which called into
requisition the art of the vocalist. The
character of henry Bertram was assumed
bv Braham, while Miss Cushman Was cast
for the humble paIt of the young gypsy,
Marie. As the business of the play was
then arranged, it fell to the lot of Marie to
sing the cradle song in the scene where Neg
recalls herself to the recollection OF Ber-
tran, by means of the ballad with which
hood. Acting upon the suppOsition that her
voice was broken by age and unequal to the
task, it was her custom to summon the
young Gypsy to revive the song for her.
One day after rehearsal the leading lady
Of the theatre was suddenly seized with ill.,
disposition. In the dilemma that arose the
manager begged Miss Cushman to 90 and
read the part of Meg Merrilies that evening
MISS Cushman Obligingly consented, but
with no intention Of reading the part. She
took the lines to her room and had them at
her tongues end by nightfall. But to use
her own words as we remember them: II
had never paid any consideration to that
character" said Miss Cushmau. alt was
always my habit TO attend studously to
my own business and give no heed to the
performances OF the others. When stars
were on the stage / watched them closely
to learn whatever was possible. At other
times confined myself TO my individual
work. Thus it came about that had little
idea how Meg MeI7'iltes was dressed or
played, and never having rehearsed the
part, was entirely ignorant of the bust
LESS. While l was coming my lines
and walking back and forth behind the
scenes, waiting tor the curtain to rise on
the play, the manager came to me again in
great distress, II have forgotten to pro-
vide singer in the part of the young Gyp-
sy," he exclaimed. What shall we do p
~ don't know, am sure" replied l. But
after thinking a moment i added, Per
haps when / come to the place can man
age to introduce the song myself. l will
try, and, thus relieved. the manager LETT
me-"
In much trepidation l listened at the
wings trying to catch some inspiration from
the progress of the play, when overheard
the closing words i'll the dialogue between
Hatteraick and the Gypsy--just preceding
the appearance Of Neg on the scene-when |
one says of her, "Oh, she dotes;" TO which |
the other replies, But she rules the tribe" |
These sentences gave me sudden clue to |
the situation of the decrepir but still pow
ertul queen, and full conception of the |
flashed upon me.
Il Immediately sprang before the foot
lights in the attitude l have ever since
taken. The pose was SO novel and striking
the audience manifested a good deal Of |
emotion, and when Braham turned and dis
covered me he gave an unaffected stare Of
This assured me somewhat.
and l went on with the part, giving it in ali
important particulars the Interpretation
and action which / have always retained.
saw that AR. Braham was puzzled
throughout the evening; that was con-
nually surprising him, but whether pleas
intly or not l could not tell. As we mad
not rehearsed together, and / was conse-
eQueutlV ignorant OF tue stage business.
iad to trust wholly 10 my iutuitions, and
naturally occasioned him considerable per-
,lexity.
when came 20 the cradle song, which
managed to bring in successfully, Bertrans
alrly elared at me in aInazemenc Nv
.rves were sorely tried, but poured out
nv whole heart in the song, and as | grad !
Ially drew near and bent ever Bert,uD,.
lowly dropping my hand ON his head,
aw the big tears rolling down his cheeks.
hen knew had made bit and felt en-
outraged 10 60 through the piece.
After the play was over, and had gone |
my room GuiveriDg with excitement. the !
all boy raped at my door. saying. Miss !
,ushman. Mr.. Braham wishes TO speak | 1
With you rose in alright, feeling sure a.,
g must mean to reprove me for nov made
uate acting. AS l went to the door I
ralned IN words the excuse that as had {
OF enjoyed the advantage of rehearsal.
could not be expected that should salts l
= the demands OF the part. But Mr.. Bra I
am met me with extended hand, saying.
Miss Cushman, have come to thank You
1r genuine gratifica ton. If YOU had
layed Meg Merriles in London as YOU have I
!ayed 1t here 20 night, your fortune would
e made
And were eou not Immediately bro &
loted y was our inquiry of Miss Cushinan. q
'Oh, no, certainly not. / had but done I
y duty in the place where ! was PUT. and S
continued two years longer as walking i
ldy at the Park Theatre, with salary of T
20 week, and only thirds of that
hen business was poor