The Evening critic., 1884-01-21
THE TWO DRoMIoS,
How Game Was Played Upon th'
UusOuhfstIcnted AIbanians.

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THE CRITIC was sitting In tho cosy private
oflco Of mine host Staples the other evening
watching the preparation OF a nice lunch
which was being fixed up by him to be sent to
Stuart Robson, at the National Theatre.
The baskot was filled with choice vlands aud
surmounted with bottle OF "Pommery Sec."
and card attached bearing tho wordsi "Be.
tween the ace OF your Boarding House; accept
this act from my Boarding House, not forgot
ting NJ. t. Elevator" when gentleman pres.
"Did you ever hear how Stuart Robson
Pl%yfa PofEs 1t on the reporters of Albany New
THE onITIo never had: no more had Staples.
"Wel, Robson and Crane had Just finished
an engagement at Philadelphia, and were
about TO leave for Albany to put In week as
the 1.-TWO Dromios," when Crane In an unlucky
step epralned his ankle 30 badly that he had
10 90 TO bed. What to do was question. Al
first II was thought the Albany date would
havo to be Cancelled, when Robson spoke up
shut yourself up In your room and nurse your
ankle, and don't let any one 500 you, and
VIII go on and play both parts.' 80 after some
further talk II was all arranged. Crane staid
In Philadelphia, and Robson and tho company
went TO Albany. When thoy got there Robson
went up to tho Delavan House aud registered
for both himself and Crane, saying Crane had
stopped on the way and would be along soon.
He engaged a room for Crane adjoining his
own. The first night came and Robson played
both the Dromio OF Syracuse and tho Dromio OF
Ephesus until the last act, where they both
came on at once. Mr.. John Marble was then
member OF tho company, and bore some re-
eemblance to Crane. He was dressed for the part
and as there was little to say, was soon up In IT,
and pereonated the absent Crane very well.
Tho papers next day were unusually profuse
In theif criticisms. ono paper won't on 70 say
that while the two actors Initiated each other
cloveriy enough to puzzle most people In the
audience to tell which was Robson aud which
Crane, yet 10 an old theatre-goer and close oh.
server IL was easy enough TO dotect the per-
sonal characteristics OF each, and then pro.
ceeded TO point out where Crano failed 10 imi-
tate Robson's voice, and where Robson was
faulty In Initiating the halt In Cranes gait. OF
course Robson was tlckled. 30 far he had sue
ceeded In keeping the absence OF the crippled
Crane from even the manager. During the
week some OF the boys would say to him,
"Wheree Craner whom the crafty Robson
would look around and answer, "Why, he was
Just here. He'll be back In minute" We'll,
everything went we'll till Saturday morning,
when the Albany papers came out with an AS
ISOLATED Press dispatch, dated in Phlladel-
phia, saying;
"Mr. W. Ii. Crane, tho actor, who has been
confined 10 his room In the Continental In this
city oil week, with sprained ankle, has sum-
ciently recovered TO travel, and Will leave
to-day for New York, where he will be Joined
by Robson and the company and I'LL two
weeks engagement"
swell, the reporters caught on, and they
proceeded to give the duo, and Robson In par
ticular, dressing down for deceiving the pub
lie OF Albany In this outrageous and barefaced
manner. That night the theatre was crowded
two parts so as TO Impose on the audience for
week without detection. But, OF course, the
novelty and strength OF the piece lies almost
wholly In the fact that Robson and Crane, VINO
are 80 unlike In every thing, can make up aud
initiate each other SO closely as TO deceive, and
when It was known that one actor vas playing
both parts, IL was very tame. They got away
cafe, but they have not been IN Albany since."