New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-07
TALK WITH A VETERAN ACTOR.

WILLIAM WARREN'S VIEW OF THE STAGE.
CmCAGo's DRAMATIC PROGREss-THE PAST AND
COMING SEASONS IN BOsIoN-CoMMENTs or AC-
TORS GENERALLY
William Warren, the veteran comedian OF
Boston, after twO-days visit in NewYork, with his
headquarters at the Windsor Hotel started for hon
yesterday He nearly old as his friend John
Gilbert OF Wallacks, and yet shows vigor and ANNA
tiou beieng his years. lie occasionally plays the "old
man now but never without apology TO those more
youthful exuberant characters that In his hands still
keep the house in His connection wththe
Boston Museum been unbroken for thirty years and
ortwenysx years when at home he has had the same
residence and slept IN the same room.
al have had invitations TO make other enRagements
he said but 1 don't like TO change The Boston
Museum. since the new building was erected in the
fortles at an expense OF S21OO00 has been literally
conducted by the Kimba Brothers Salaries have been
paid every Monday morning, without single exception
in all that time. Until now have usually played
stock company, but understand that for the coming
season II the intention to have series OF stars
and combinations. The 'Evangeline' Troupe, with
Willie Edouin as the lawyer is having greater sue
cess than when first presented tt amusing but not
much above the level OF a variety show"
"Do you know what the engagements are for the
coming season !" he was asked
"NO; am going now, TO learn. We usually open
about the Goth of August. For years It the ira
dton at the Boston Museum to close the season with
Fourth July night At all events the season went out
with shower of rockets Now the theatre closes about
the first Of June"
"was last season at the Boston theatres generally
successfulp
"Ithink So According TO some OF the managers,
much money was made The Boston Theatre had a
great success with The EXIles Modeska was at the
Museum. She took Boston by storm. The public and
the professionals OF opinion she Is an artist
OF great power and exquisite finish. Mary Anderson was
another success She has yet to show proper dramatic
cultivation but she has the natural gifts Of a great
actress did much their acting should
have liked. You see, when these stars come, they
send out for tour. don't like IT, You fall In with
a curious lot Of peoples you invariably travel sunday,
and then you must put up almost every nlsh. Win
showed that the idea abhOrret 70 every grain Of
his conservative nature. 81 have Just been out to
Chicago" he continued; serious journey isn't ~
make the trip frequently but then the Inconvenience.
Two baths won't make man clean after II. This time
took balm then TO Buffalo the next day. and took
bath stopped the next night at syracuse and took
a BATH The Journey drags little even on that plan.
Chicago has made wonderful progress since / played
there with Joe Je1ersOn's father, more than thirty
years ago. IL was pushing ahead then. Rice and Me
Wicker made fortunes IN the West But the drama out
there Will have great future"
also related him by marriage Mr. Warren asked for
information concerning KIP Van WHkie. II there IL
lie likes painting better There Is satisfaction ia
writing bin letter, because he no sooner receives 1t
than of he posts 90 telegraph office and Immediately
wires You that he is well and answers any questions
that may have been asked
Conversation turned 10 earlier days, but Mr.. Warren
said a very poor hand giving "reminiscences.
had kept diary; fact, he felt very much
Daniel Webster, who, In OF his speeches Ina Faneul
Hall, said he never kept diary himself aud despsed
the man who did. lie had never played TOOdles" aud
told story Of intimate friend, who at sale pur
chased character portrait upder the firm belief that IL
was q faithful portrait OF him In the character OF
TOO9leS.
DO Boston people take much interest in the founda-
ton of a dramatic school I" be asked.
Last Winter society formed, as It announced
itself for the ameoration OF the drama. Amateurs and
prominent society people interested IN the
movement The gentleman whose guidance they
eepted, depended his dramatic reputation an
itatlOn OF Jeffersons Rip Van WiHkte. It struck
that this not very favorable beginning OF pro-
iect for the ameliOratOn OF the drama"
What do you think OF the Of many American
actors OF the present day T.
"In general. the profession has met with full recOgn
ton With too many regret 10 say that
10 great dash aud live beyond their incomes Then
there 10 the DewashiOned cap-trap; Autograph por-
traits In shop windows. etc. However, IL takes ability
behind II to succeed, even with the Autograph"