Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-08
MRS. ROUsBY,S WRONGS.
How n Rose 20 Explain AZ tine Gin
einnati Grand Opera House -
Pretty WOmaB's Speech and Tears
Before h Curtain.

How She Rose to Explain at the Gin
efnnati Grand opera House -
Pretty WOmaD's Speech and Tear
Before the Curtain.
Cincinnati Commercial, May
The historical play Of Tom Taylor's,
"TWixt Axe and Crown" was again pro-
duced last evening at the Grand Opera
House-Mrs. Rousby as Lady Elizabeth.
The presentation of this piece has not been
credible TO the management or encOurag-
ing to Mrs. ROusby. Several have acted
their parts cleyerly, particularly Messrs.
Lingham and GriSmer. But, altogether,
the play has been poorly mounted and cast.
1t has not drawn well. Mrs. ROusby has
not felt well over it. On the opening
night Miss Helen Matthews was unable to
appear as Queen Mary-an important part,
which one of the young ladies had to read.
This was annoying. Last night in the
first act, and in the first throne scene, Mrs.
Rousby, during one Of her waits on
the stage, was having a little
estage talk with Isabel Markham
Miss Mary DavenpOrt) when the Spanish
Envoy, Simon Renard, came on, reading
his part from a book. Mr.. W. A. Paul had
taken Mr.. J. G. StrOng's part, and had to
read it. This substitution appeared to
strike Mrs. Rousby with. surprise, disgust
and anger. She clinched her hands and
Kissed something to Miss Davenport at the
sight. She, however, went on with the
play, and thus gave the audience no chance
to prepare for the unusual scene that was to
follow.
At the end of the first act Mrs. Rousby
appeared before the curtain unattended.
What she was going to say nobody seemed
to anticipate. Our reporter, who sat near
the stage, was entirely u~nprepared for what
followed, but drew out his notebook and
pencil speedily. Mrs. ROusby was evident
ly labOTiDg under great excitement, for her
voice soon began 10 tremble, and herhands
to work neTvOusly. But what she said was
distinctly heard. II was this:
"Gentlemen and LadieS-It is a painful
and uncommon duty to myself and 70 you
that l have to perform. But L must say some
thingin explanation Ofthe disgraceful treat
ment l have experiencedhere. This piece has
been miserably presented, and tonight one
Of The actors is drunk, and would not give
up his part, and the result you have seen.
Is that the way the public Of Cincinnati is
to be treated? Is that the way to treat an
English artiSt-a stranger here? This is a
play / have played a thousand nights be-
fore English audiences, with ecLdt, and
before New York audiences. had wished
TO produce it here, satisfactorily. Here
the fair speakers voice commenced to
quiver.l You must pardon me if l show
ONE spirit, [she was crying nOwl, but l
can't help it. Ihaye done all that l could.
Immense applause. But this is simply
sh-sh-sh-ameful." Renewed ~applause.l
With this the lady retired. But the mat
ter was not allowed to drop there. The
audience, heartily in sympathy with the
fair woman, devoted hands and feet to ap-
plause, until, bathed in tears, she again APP i
peared, wipng her eyes, and bowed her
thanks for their sympathy.
Here was a stunning sensation, better
than any ordinary play Of itself. Between
this AID the rising Of the curtain again
were sounds Of a quarrel on the stage.
DaltOn's voice could be heard, raisedin an
ger. The wait between acts was long, and
it was thought at one time that the curtain
would not rise again. But it went up, and
the second act was on. In the midst Of
this act, while Courtney was telling Eliza
beth Of the rising in her favor, there was a
noise back of them as of scenes being rude
ly jOstled quite an interruption, in fact.
This led Mrs. ROusby to call to "let down
the curtain" which order was Obeyed, cut
ting of the act IN the first half. After an
other long delay the curtain was raised
upon the same scene. From that out the
play proceeded as usual, the entire delay
being about twenty-five minutes.