Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-09
best dramatic work from the hands of an Ameri-
PAYNE'S FAILURE AS A MANAGER

PAYSE'S FAILURE AS A MANAGER.
PayneS experience as manager OF a theater
was brief ana unfortunate. After he had been a
sort OF literary drudge for the Drury Lane theater
for some time, he became SO dsguStel with the
| treatment he received from the management that
partly through pique and partly In the hope OF
great profits, he leased the Sader's Wells theater
- the Oldest and most respectable minor theater In
LONDON" The enterprise. however, was disas-
trous. He lost nearly s2,O00 and was lodged in
the debtors prison. 1t was from this difficulty he
was eXtricated, as mentioned above, By the lucky
arrival OF two plays from NJ. Victor, which lie at
once adapted for the stage.
HIS RECORD As AN ACTOR.
o. an actors excellence In his art, little can be
said after he has been off the stage for more than
half century. An actor leaves behind him only a
tradition or the genius Of young Payne, however,
there can be little question when his acting made
so deep an impression upon people who saw him
in 1909, as that they still retain lively remem-
brance OF his appearance and manner. As an In
stance, showing how at least one gentleman was
impressed by Payne's acting,it may be appropriate
ment published, with Mr.. Corcoran's consent
shortly after the arrangements for bringing
remains home were completed:
mr.. Corcoran's recollectons Of John Howard Payne
extend backwards for more than half = century. In
lsoy Payne appeared on the stage in Boston and New
Of the southern aud western cities. This brought him
S ss & M and
saw him: Payne played for . week q what was then
iqne nov stands. He was announced as the American
on
or the @ WI e,9s sas
twenty cents to pay for seat in the pit relates
generally accompsned by two 1 or three Boys from
GeorSetown.' Although this occurred seventy-three
recalls each incident with distncsness; he remembers
even how Payne. appearing young Norvsl. recited
these we!l-known lines:
MY name is Noryal on the Grampian hills
My father feeds his flock"
Payne's biographers say that he very early gave
indications of histrlonic talent of high order.
He appears to have profited well by his fathers
instructions in elocutOn. 1t Is related that ne %
excited the interest OF prominent actor by the
taton that the actor called upon the elder Payne,
offered to instruct his son In the theatrical art
ana procure cure him , Two years engagement as an
whole course OF Payne's life, for, 1t is said the
father, inspired by the Puritan horror OF the STAGE
refused the offer with considerable Indignation
That the boys soul might be saved from the dan
gers which now seemed to threaten 1t, every
method was employed to discourage him in his
ambition to become an actor. When Payne was
sent from Boston to take place in New York
counting house, his fathers instructions were
watched and crushed" After the elder Payne
had met with reverseS in business, it appears that
the son obtained at last through persistent i'm
His success was instant and brilliant Upon
going to England, in 1878, the English public re-
echoed the plaudlt5 which had been 50 generously
bestowed on this side OF the ocean. When he
reached manhood, however, his popularity waned.
His maturer years do not seem to have fulfilled
the promise Of his youth. He was, in fact, a sort
OF boy prodigy. and when he outgrew his boyhood
his value theatrical attraction shrank to very
small proportions. So about the close of the
to Paris and entered upon his work as play
wright Some years afterward he returned to
ing in Paris. but he went to London aud played
"Richard Ill" three nights, receiving E10 for each
night