The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-05-06

A couple Of scenes not down on the
bills occurred at the Grand Opera-house
last evening which were the subject of
much comment, and ELECTED much SYM
pathy for Mrs. Rousby, the English act
ress, who is playing ut that place under
some difficulties this week.
The facts seem TO be as follows: Some
troubles had arisen between some MEM
bers OF the company and the manage
ment regarding decrease of salary, and
yesterday Mr.. Ill. U. Strong, who had
been playing the part OF Renard," sent
word to the acting manager that he
would not play again.
The consequence was that in the eyen-
ing it became necessary that the part
should be read from the book by another
actor, who had not time to commit 1t to
memory. Mrs. Rousby, who had had
some cause for complaint concerning
her. support during the week, was not
informed OF this, and was taken entirely
| by surprise when the new "Renard,''
book in hand, appeared and read off his
part.
Considering that she was improperly
treated in the matter, and that she was
| unable to appear to advantage under the
sence of the manager and his assistant,
to make the explanation herself, which
she did by appearing before the curtain
at the close Of the act, speaking in sub.
| stance as f0lloWs:
"LADIEs AND GENTLEMEN: When ]
came upon the stage this evening saw a
gentleman coming on with book in his
hand. Upon asking why this was so,
was coolly informed that the person who
was cast for the part was drunk-so
drunk that he was unable to appear. My
first impulse was to leave the stage and
refuse to play tonight; my second
thought was that this would be
J foolish, and I resolved to go on
/ Is this the way that English act
| resses are treated in Cincinnati? !
can not believe it. have played 'Taoirl
| AT and .Cr0Wn two hundred nights in
and other cities; and in all my expert
ence 1 have never seen the piece SO
badly played. In fact it is hardly recog.
! nizaDle as the same piece. Under the
circumstances, it Is impossible for me to
act-to do either the piece or myself JUS
tice. But will go on, and trust to your
kindly consideration to overlook and
pardon defects which are not of the
piece, but are of the circumstances of
which yourselves can best judge.'
The audience testified its sympathy by
storms OF applause, ana showers Oh
bouquets, and Mrs. Rousby finally reap
peared in response to the calls, and
while wiping away the tears Of mortif-
cation and regret, bowed her acknowl.
\ edgment Of the kind sympathy Of those
present.
| In the middle of the next act another
! interruption occurred. Loud words were
heard behind the scenes and something
fell against the scenery, producing a
heavy crash, and the whole of that in
view on the stage seemed about to fall
Mrs. Rousby, becoming alarmed, hesi-
tated, and finally gave orders to ring
down the curtain, which was done. The
cause was .ascertained to have been {
row between two of the actors behin(
the scenes, one of them being knocked
over against the scenery, thus causing
| the crash. Order was finally restored
the curtain rose, and the play went OIL
| from the point where it was interrupted
1t is due to Manager Miles to say tina
he~was absent from the city, and that hi
efficient assistant manager was sick and
unable to be present, and that had moi
this been the case this disgraceful atfai
would probably never have occurred.