The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-04-16
Coming.
JOHN A. STEVEN.

| On yesterday telegram was received from the
agent Of John A. Stevens, (now returning from
California; asking for the house for April 23d,
to-day week. He will appear on that evening
We presume the piece will be his great play,
Unknown" In which he has starred during the
past two seasons. The public Will find that
Stevens is one Of thes best actors, bringing as
fine q company rs has been seen here for q long
time. During February Mr.. Stevens occupied
the Standard Theatre, San Francisco. His bust
meas for the week ending Feb. 81 is thus re.
ported by the Dramatic !Nelcs:
! With the return Of pleasant weather, the Stand.
| ard has been packed to sutfocaton since the pro.
ductiOn Of John A. Stevens admirable play OF the
unknown" In fact people have been turned
away every night since. Our dramatic critics are
unanimous in their endorsement Of It as q great
! play" &c.
| The piece has had some $50 representations.
The cast Is "a very satisfactory and perfect one.
Lottie Church is leading lady. She wears mag
nidcent costumes -'unusually attractive at natl
nee" We are positive the entertainment will
be much above the average OF our theatrical en-
tertainments of this season.
| LAWRENCE BARRETT.
| Lawrence Barrett will give Richeleu" on
Tuesday, May Sd.
| Lawrence Barrett Is the eldest Of the three ira
gedians, having been born in New York in 1886
He, like John Mccullough, is OF Irish pareDtage
| II has been said that his real name was Larry
Brannigan, but this has been disproved. Mr..
| Barrett has been an industrious and conscien
tous student since he first put his foot on stage
and against many disadvantages has commanded
| recognition as an able exponent OF tragic roles
He IL also one Of the ripest scholars In the pro
fession, and his ability as writer has frequently
been seen In magazine articles.
| Mr.. Barrett was first heard Of as linen clerk
In II Detroit dry goods house He was Is years
of aye then. Instead OF utilizing his eloquenct
In the persuasion OF customers 10 purchase wares
young Barrett spent most OF his time entertain
ling his fellow clerks and customers Win imlta
lions OF actors and disquistions on act"g. Hi'
employer discharged hun. with the sarcastic ad
vice ITO 90 on the stage" Barrett, sarcasm or
no sarcasm, determined to take the advice, and
accordingly engaged himself as supcrnumerarl
NJ the old Metropolitan Theatre Detroit, where
he drew the magnificent salary OF 81 week. he
so successfully carried banners aud figured IN the
mObs that the management cast him for Nurd
in 1.-THE French Spy" This was his hrst speak
ling part and 1t like TO be his last, FOR he was
seized with such attack of age fright that ht
completely forgot his lines and was Kissed OIL
IL IL said that for the next three months he could
not speak line correctly, and Was inVaIiabl,
Kissed off In disgrace. But his dra"bac did
not dampen his courage. He was determined Il
De an RctOT. An opportunity III 1907 hIbet w JON
u travelling troupe. He was engaged. The troupe
came to grief He was stranded, and was only
enable to return to Detroit through the Chart,
of a railway conductor.
| The experiences Of this trip were bitter enough
to make Barrett abandon the stage for shor'
time. 10 1875 he entered the Detroit Daily Ne,c'
office, q little afternoon newspaper, then pun
lshed by John y. lngersol Here he remained
for few months in the capacity OF printers
devil when he became again attached 10 tn,
Metropolitan Theatre Of Detroit. He was en-
gagged by Sam Gulick, the scene painter, who in
tended to make him an apprentice. In lew
weeks, however, Sam turned him over To the
stage manager, and before long he p.ayed Rish
,,ord to Coddock's Richard and made succ.ss
Young Barrett also played Romeo 10 the Ju.'tt OF
julia Dean Hsyne. His timidi,y had disappeared
he was now fairly started In his career, and from
that time TO the present-with the exception OF
| brief service In the army during the War OF the
Rebellion--he has been constantly before the pub
lie His first appearance in New York was In
IlsS, when he played Sir Thomas ChfoTd 10 the
Julia OF an Inexperienced actress. His success
In this part secured him an engagement at Bar
toms Theatre, IL that city, where he became n
favorte.
| Whatever Ia OF interest In the subsequent ca
reer OF Mr.. Barrett may be briefly stated. He
was manager Of the Varieties Theatre In New
Orleans during the season of 1854: In 1867 ne
visited England, where he was received with ia
vor; In 1869 he became manager, with John Me
lCullough, Of the California Theatre, San Fran
CISCO In the following year he played second T.
Booth at Booths Theatre, New iors; and sine,
! 1871 or 1872 he has been before the public a. y
star. The most notable among the suceesse'
Of Mr. Barrett have been In "Rosedsle; or, Nh
! Rre Bali 1.-The Man o. Airle," "Danl Druce,
"Yorirks Love" Cdssias In Julius Cesar,