The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-09-01
"JANE SHORE" AND HENRY VIII
Geneyieye Wards Romantic Per-
Sonal History:
THE NEW SEN SATION,
The Calcium Light as Turned On by
Manager Palmer

been sbarpencd by and travel that there
are few gentlemen connected with the profession IN
his mana gerlal relationship with whom an Interview
is likely be OF greater public interest Al the
present moment there are IN New York not many
buster men tnan MT Palmer; for, between the cares
Of the daily excursions on his steamboat, tho
Plymouth Rock and the requirements OF nis theatre,
Ia I.bors quite as UGH as one Dennis Kearney's
famous sand lot slaves He found time, however, to
look kindly on the HERALD reporter, and to reward
the latter Tor his visit, especially when II was an
nounced the object Of tho call was professional
oue and chief purpose was to feel the managerial
pulse.
The writer commenced the conversation with
question concerning the prospects OF Booths Theatre
during the about TO open.
Mr. Palmer Is always gentle, rarely exhuberaut and
II is chiefly from the fash OF his SOFT brown eye that
you discover the emphasis Of mis- speech. Hs re-
ped:--
rux PROSPECT
81 have not entered on tn,s years. work without
knowing exactly what l shall realize don't mean
In dollars and cents, bat In general success uncle
Tom 10 taking of himself IN England and Gene
we've Ward will DO my feature here IN Amerioa.
Booths Theatre, as you are aware, mas been the
locale OF several BRIGHT sen satons. in which vigor
and beauty have com bined achieve what you news
paper men sometimes call dramatic victory. Run
your memory the list OF good things connected
with the history of our theatre and You will
recall Henry w. julius Cesar, the farewell engage
ment OF Charlotte Cushman, The play OF Sardapspaus'
and the tragic OF John Mccullough don't
want any more diamond points In my corones than
reject tho Iustre OF the names have mentioned In
fact, manager who have written on the tomb.
stone the name Julius Cesar and 'Sardanapaluis,'
PRODUCED these plays have boon in this theatre,
will have glory enough last him through all poster
ity."
s.SIghtIy sgotistioai, Mr.. Palmer" suggested the
reporter.
.It may be so; but THAT'S the calcium light thought
that from the bank accounts and yendsr
pigeon holes. Bullet change tho subject"
s.JASE SHORE"
'sComing down to the present time, we are prepar.
ing produce Wills celebrated play Of Jane Shore
and at,erward Henry VIM As regards Jane
Shore, II has had a remarkable success in London,
having been performed there over two hundred and
nifty timcs at tho Princess Theatre. The present.
drama, however, must not be confounded with the
old play. Mr. Wills has simply retained some Of tho
strongest incidents, wcaved them together histori-
caily in his own charming language made a story
which feel confident will, whom told behind tho foot
lights and among tho pictures OF The STAGE produce
profound i'm prcssion especially upon tho intellectual
classes. We actively at work in making prepara-
tons ier the prcsen OF the playa style worthy
OF the scenic artists gagged and OF the fame
OF the theatre"
'.what have you done In the way Of organizing a
company"
al am glad you asked the question. Many managers
content their expectations OF success upon
mere hgurohead--the star, ana perhaps one or two
leading people; but In the present instance you will
examine our cast you will and have provided
company for she rendition OF the play which, In
point OF strength, often been equaled In Now
York- All OF N lat believe
in the idea-and, by the way, Miss Ward accords with
us-ihat the individuality OF n artist must depend
entirely upon his or her own exsrtons. Pictures ON
OF tho stage the same; they must have their
lights and shadows, all, however, referring TO the
generic theme. Oi course you must understand that
don't depend entirely upon our excellent selection
OF actors actresses; for In addition TO these, We
have In hand class of scehery which will be greatly
attractive, and add 10 tho play charm, without, as
Boucicault suggests, divertng attention from It's lead
ing incidents and elective dramatic situationa
..i think IL has been published that Mr. Wills, the
author would be hero to tend the production
OF his play--hc seems latoS"
Eyes, II is true that did expect him Tor that pur
pose, but now have my doubts about his arrival
Hts detention probably due to important literary
work, tor know that he WAS extremely anxious to
visa America Nv the way, moment ago you
ferrca 10 our scenery. want to say before forget
w
one 81 me snsst and most elective that ever wit
nes.ea conBrotIon with a play In Eug land u pro-
aucra profound sensation, and think n will DO SO
here"
twhat 10 the character Of your company"
As l said before 10 will DO Of the best Wo have
secured the services OF Mr.. George vandenhon who
supported Charlotte Cusnman. In the present case
no VIII play the Duke OF GIoster; Mr. LsvIok will
play Heary Shore the husband OF Jane shore, and
Mr.. James A. Taylor, sterling actor, VINO supported
Miss Lander will play John Grist, baker. hearty
EnSlan ~ no J,D
10 starve hcr death. Miss Kate Meek viii person
ate Queen Eizab-.h, and l,.tlo Belle wharton who
'Uncle Toms Cabin'-wIi represent the character
oil Prince Edward"
ing the exhIUtion Of your best effects w
''Not less than hundred. Many OF them are ladies
whom have personally sole ,ted with reference 10
their grace and general department. Heretofore In
scenes OF this character the manager has been con-
sent TO take almost any representative OF The oppo-
site sex who chose to put IN appearance but 10 The
present ins,snco have determined TO employ oni.'
those who IN the matter OF dfess and dcmcsnor On
the stage make a credilaole appearances. +"
REMIsI-cEScyS GHsEvfEvE WARD.
"Wi you now tell mo something about the star
you have engaged and how you happened 70 select
"whh pleasure. 1 witnessed her performs noes In
Lsodop OF Lazy Macbeth. Meg Mcrrhes, tho Autiscnc
OF sopnocIes, Porta aud Queen Catherine, and 20
mach pleased with Der rendition Of all Of these char.
acters that 1 offered her an engagement nearly two
years Rpo but consequences o the depressed state
pf business affairs deemed u advisable TO postpone
her appearance until tho present year"
.'wbat particular feature OF Mlss Wards character
Bcemed 10 impress you most rs a dramatic observer
whose money Ia supposed TO be at stageY"
swell first, her general presence, winch s strik.
ting; secondly, her voice. wbicn ~ rich, round aud
well trained and thirdly, her make up The last
named clement OF her success however, could ap.
prccato nom the TACT that she - painter
degree and therefore thoroughly understands the e.
feet Of light and shade. The manner, Tor instance
which she prepares herself Tor aes Merrss IS some
tning msrvelous. don't use these su2srlatve terms
because happen for the moment TO be her manager
but because admire her art, ana she At nrst pro
duccd impression on me that would have lasted for
ltf~6tr q had
have since discovered that she associates with, ana
enjoys the friendship OF, some OF the best people In
England and America
Aslr OF PERSONAL history.
care you IsmiIiar with MISS wards personal
history 2"
sfoa certain degree yes. she was born In America
and abroad TO be educated IN the operate schoo
She returned to New YORK during the season Of 1909
1904, l not certain which, and appeared IN
opera under the OF Mme. GuerrabsIIa, which,