Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-11-16

The Bsa,x Cat and the aaetesn Mu.

The Black Cat and sAe Macbeth Mussc.
"Just as the future was looking 81
bright" were the words uttered by ST
Philip Calthorpe at the first production O
"La Belle Russo in this city the othe,
night, when a huge black cat rushed acrcs.
the stage, and frightened by the laughte
and Kisses of the gallery gods, disappeared
in the corridor Of Solicitor Quillon'
chambers, in Lincoin's inn, as represented
by the scenery at the st. Charles theater
The actors on the stage seemed some
what abashed by the unwonted interrup
ton, but not so Manager Goodwin, whit
was standing at the back of the auditorium
watching the scene. On his face spread ar
expression of the happiest satisfaction
and his actions betokened an citation Of
spirit entirely -unaccountable until after
ward explained by him to a representative
of this paper as follows:
why, that was an omen, and a remark
ably good one,' said M. Goodwin, rub.
bing his hands.
The appearance of a cat, especially OF
a black one. during a rehearsal even, is
sufficient to bring good humor upon tired
out actors and actresses, at a performance,
and that, too, the first in a strange CITY,
Why, it ought to be sufficient to keep US in
the good luck that has thus far attended
US in our tour, and add ever greater good
fortune in the future"
You are, then, a believer in stage gu.
perstitions ?" asked the reporter.
'Ohr replied the manager, growing Sc.
rious, If you really mean to put the cues
ton seriously. I must disclaim an actual
belief in such nonsense. Still, no person.
brought up as 1 have benin the very
shadow of the stage-can entirely dlsre-
gard the traditions OF the stage that have
been handed down for such a length of
time, as to render them, by their very
age, venerable. I trust there is no
member of my company, whose intelli-
gence would LOT preclude a reliance upon
the signs and omens of our mimic life;
yet I venture to say that not one would in
tentionally violate any of the superstitions
habits and customs, without a feeling that
the exactly proper thing was not being
done. Even Miss Lewis herself I heard
n evening, not long since, Gliding her
maid for unwittingly cumming an air from
the music of Macbeth" which is consid-
cred a certain portent of evil to the organ
lzatiOn in which such a breach of stage
etiquette occurs. To such an extent does
this aversion to the Macbeth music pre-
vail, that 1 could name two we'll known
tragedians of to-day who never produce
the play without entertaining an idea that
they are tempting fortune in so doing"
What are some of the other signs Of
luck Or ill-luck in your profession?"
Miss Clara Morris considers herself
fortunate if she finds an odd number of
nails lying about the stage at rehearsal. An
even number to her means sickness be-
fore the close of her engagement. Sarah
Bernhard, when in this country, felt ill at
ease whenever necessity compelled the
use of a yellow curtain in the stage set
tings-indeed, yellow is conceded to b. an
unlucky color, and a c~lariOnette of that
in an orchestra is regarded from
stage with dismal forbodings. That a
peep-hole is found in the curtain of nearly
every theater, whence the actor may obtain
a glimpse of the house before the begin
ming Of the play. may possibly be, be-
cause many claim that to look out at the
right side of the curtain is to call down a
malignant fate upon the enterprise, while
as many more transfer the superstition to
the lief. side. I suppose the peep-hole in
the center is a propitiatory compromise
between the two.
"We seem to have verified the supersti-
ton tonight, anyway said Mr.. Goodwin,
conclusion. for a good opening house
is all the good luck I ask for this attrac-
ton. Miss Jefrers-Lewis, although a stran-
ger in this part of the country, except in
so far as her reputation has preceded her,
has never failed to grow liz the interest
she ~excites, and our receipts show an in
crease each night upon the preceding,
whether the beginning be large or small.
l have no doubt that Miss Lewis and the
supporting company will repeat in New
Orleans the triumph they have made for
Id Belle Russo in every city we nave Wis
tied this ssason."-New OrJeGns Times
Democrat