National Republican., 1882-01-14
A TALK WITH AN ACTOR.
what Harry Meredith Says About Art,
MelndrnIana. mud Thlnna.

melOdrnmns, ana Things.
A REPUBLICAN, representative met the we'll
known and popular actor, Harry Meredith, of
Crane & Robson's Company yesterday at Cham
berlins, and proceeded to Interview him between
sips of terrapin and punch on dramatic matters.
"0h, yes; the drama Is still all right In spite Of
the fact that it is said 10 be rerograding degenerat-
ing or eyaponting. The box office Is the best au
thority, for what Colonel Blackstone is to the law
the treasurer is to the DRAMA" said the genial
actor.
"Have we fewer bright minds, less real instruc-
tive worth on the stage in these days"
"Ycs; to-day the dramatic professor divides his
attention between his work on the stage and his
fixing of 'dates,' whereby ,ensues passage of
nng TSe date is xed I the 0 actor pulls SsU out
big part and iorgets for the moment the exist.
ence OF trade-Golars.'
"Toad-stoos? Is more like It, Children
scarcely twenty-five years of age are do.
ing leading business without ever having played
leading part. while others have the di gnity Of
stars appended to their contracts whose efforts
in drama have been confined to the placing of
'"aiTs T6en mny yom mare are Gs not retrograd1g &
"I answer that question by shaking ponderous
money bags in your face"
"Money is not art"
ayes, It Isl at least 1t is the parent of art, and
parents are good things to have in the house some
times"
mo, sir: art does not come over in Cunard
steamer always, nor does 1t assume the peculiar
characteristics OF particular school having for Its
emblem that choice exotic found in the front yard
| OF Massachusetts, shoemHkers Art Is clean COM
mon sense dressed in chaste costume. 1t Is not
necessary that its professors should be able to sit
down on their back hair"
"Just So"
art requires more brains than 1t does hair, the
opinion Of the average barber to the contrary not
withstauding"
us it necessary that great actor should be a
great arlsL?
Again you go back to the 'box-ofico this is
| 1882"
Whom do you regard as the greatest living
| actor?'
"Actng is a matter for which to-day there
seems 10 be no established standard. Those who
| have seen my Macbeth place me at the head of all
hard shake, however Tho legitimate element OF
the profession seems to be trilie tardy to-day.
Shakespeare, however still draws handsome
| "Who Is the best RomeoY'
"llard to say. The elephant Romeo did very
well at times, but he was uneven, and was drowned
Are you going starring next season.,
"Yes, sir; am. I'm tired OF having other peo-
pie work for me. Next year I'm going to work for
HWhat Is the name of your dramaT
"The Librarian Of Congress made me promise
"What is your age, Mr.. Mp
"No, thank you. Just squeeze OF lemon, II
p" Have you any slow music in your new play?"
| "Musc is of course necessary TO the successful
performance of melodrama. This we may term
| sympathetic music. IL Is sometimes used at the
| burial of marines who die for their country"
| "What is an energetic actorP
| "The energetic uctor is one who works from his
head to his toes and then upward again. / have
| heard of them standing on their heads TO give
greater freedom to their toes. That is the Siberian
| school of art"
"Were you In the war, Mr.. Meredlth2
| "No SIR; was at that time doing Walking
| Gents at the Cape Horn Opera House."
| Ibid you come back by turnpikcY'
| "Yes II was long walk home"
"Thanks. Au revoirl"
Int, A