National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-11-04
CHARLOTTE THOMPSON.
PLAIN WORDS FROM AN AMERICAN
ACTRESS.

ACTRESS.
nm EkRIY CARFER-FAvORITE RoL s.
eo1tTCAI, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS t-aEKf-
San DRAMATIC FRENCH Schoolgirl w
YORK THEATREs-ADYICE 70 YOUNG
LADIES.
saturday morning lat a representative Of THE
EAT1oEAL REPUBLICAN, bad the pleasure Of
meeting Miss Charlotte Thompson, and the fol-
having notes are made from many things said
during long and pleasant conversation. II one
would ike to know how Miss Thompson looks
and appears on the stage in private life, the pic
ture Of her appearance on the stage has only to
be recalled, for she is the same easy, natural
aady-like person, dignihed, graceful ana gentle.
The exquisite charm Of manner, the tenderness
and besutv Of her tones, the same eye with its
aeon far.ofF look, the came curves in motion, the
same noizs of the head, are all as noticeable
wien IN her parlo- in conversation with friend
- Wben OTnamenting the setting Of the stage
Win one OF its brightest jewels. Among many
ofhers these questions were Tentured:
Reporter. May have bit Of your personal
Ms Thompson. cannot imagine that the pub
liz have the least interest il it, but am daugh-
Ter Of Lysander Thompson, and Hhen q mere
child went on the stage at WRRaek's theatre.
Afterwards / went 10 Laura kesnes, and from
there TO Howard Athen8um, Boston. Eventually
became the leading lady OF MS. John DreW's
that ] commenced my dramatic career as q star,
which II has been my fate to follow IN AL the
cities Of the United States up 70 the present
Reporter. And what roles lave you learned to
IIiSs THOMPSON. When ny own wishes and
tastes are consulted prefer Julia in the "Huneh-
back, !" Parthenia, Juliet ard ROsalind.
Reporter. suppose you have many interesting
"reminiscences Of the stage.
MISS Thompson. Oh, Yes. hundreds Of them, bat
I cannot think Of them On the spur Of the mo
ment. recollect now that one time while was
TlAyinE Juliet in a Western city the haleony,
which bad been hastily constructed, gave way
and 1 was precipitated below into the arms OF
Romeo, who was very much puzzled to know
what be should 90 will me. The prOmpter came
70 our rescue by dropping the curtain. That same
evening during the scene Wne9 J9iiet Is iyinG IN
through the imperfect roof and dripping upon
NY face and dress almost drenched me- The next
evening, the rain continuing, was protected by
means Of an umbrella suspended from the top OF
Reporter. Now, Miss Thompson, what do you
think Of the American dramaf
Miss Thompson. Your question is an important
enc, but as 20 an American drama hardly think
We can claim to have one, except in upholstery
and costume, fo- with the exception Of the plays
made popular by Edwin Forrest, and now sus-
tanned by the genius Of John Mccullough, know
Of no American plays that have not sunk into
SbllYIon after q few representations.
Reporter. But don't you think there is dem and
>1OT such plays?
plays, think the ausitOr only requires to be en-
feTtained and uncOnSCiOusly instructed. He rarely
stops TO ask Il the author be an American or q
foreigner; whether the Incidents of the play be
baseu upon home subjects or OthsrWise.
Reporter. Well, how can a national drama be
Miss Thompson. Only by writing plays that
will through their intrinsic merit endesr them
selves TO the public heart.
Reporter. What is the duty Of dramatic critics
miss Thompson 1 an glad you ask this cues
ton It strikes me that the duty of the critic is
80 first inform himself thoroughly upon the sub
lect he would cricise, and then honestly pOintout
fhe defects and beauties of the picture presented
to him.
Lamar" and The Gilded Age" and Moor
eToftg"
Miss Thomson. do not think ssBeIIe LAMAR
will endure long enough to do either good or
harm. have not seen The Gilded Age" nor
aMOorcrOit; y hence I am unable to express any
opinion concerning them.
Reporter. W hat rank do you assign Augustus
Miss Thompson. If Augustus Daily has drama
tined all the plays that have appeared under his
name should regard him as one Of the most skill
ful adapters Of the day.
Reporter. He was the author Of divorce"
think, in which you have appeared. Do you think
it q wholesome play7 .
Miss Thompson. Yes, 1 think Divorce a
wholesome and entertaining picture Of the follies
and foibIes Of orr present life 1t illustrates the
evils resulting from q lack Of confidence between
nan and wife, and the important consideration
that should be bestowed upon trifes in domestic
Reporter. And what is your idea of society
plays in generalf
plays" which have for the past i've years been
presented to the public, regard as pointless and
MSTthiess !, trash with the single exception Of
erary merit to enable 1t to attain s standard re-
Reporter. Then You would nOtfOstsr the French
Miss Thompson. No. think the influence Of
the French school Of plays upon the social life Of
and morbid interest in that which the mind
should not be permitted to dwell upon.
Reporter. What picture can you show me Of
New YORK theatres, managers and professional
pe0ple7
Miss Thompson. The managers Of theatres in
New York, Ike all other managers are actuated
BY the sole desire to please the public and they
Invariably present such plays as will be likely to
produce the largest mOneyed results with a de-
eided preference for the moral drama, as in
staBeed by the elaborate expenditure bestowed
upon "Jane Eyre, " and the present prod uction of
''The Hunchbaek" at the Union Square theatre.
Reporter. want to ask you something about
the relative merits Of
Miss Thompson. think, with Mrs MalaprOp,
shat comparisons are odOrOus,n and therefore de-
cline to speak Of the relative merits Of artists.
Reporter. What would you say 70 young
ladies who have an ambition TO connect them
selves with the stages
Miss Thompson. Young ladies who are ambi-
tious TO 60 on the stage should faithfully study
Abe TudimeRts Of the art, and shirk no labor that
may be given them, for only by severe labor In
histTiOnic art can they become well skilled in an
indispensable knowledge OF It's minutie, which
ts certainly the foundation Of all true excellence
in theatrical representations.
Reporter. Is Il Charlotte Cushman's purpose 10
really retire from the stage now?
Miss Thompson. 1t would be presumption in
me 70 speak Of Charlotte Cushman, except to Join
my admiration TO that OF the entire English
speaking world Of her transeendent genius. AS
she has announced 70 the public her determine
tion TO retire from the stage after her present
Ieries Of engagements 1t cannot but be her inten-
ton 10 do so.
Reporter. What do you think will be the future
ef the American stage?
Miss Thompson. think the stage Is vet 10 its
infancy and that its future is bright with promise
OF much good, and believe that 1t will prove a
school OF valuable and pleasant instruction to all
who may exist within Its radance-but my hour
for rehearsal is at hand.