New-York tribune., 1885-07-26
THREE GAY YOUNG ACTORS
HOPPER WILSON, DIxEY. AND THEIR FUN.
HOW THEY BEGAN AND PRosPERED IN THEIR PRO-

FES5lON-THElR
| Three Young men, all under thirty years,
have been forging to the front In the amusement world
within the last three years in the field which nntes ara
matte art with music OF light order and two OF them
are known as light opera comedians while the third has
developed Lis talents OF late in tho broader vein OF DUR
lesquc The three Francis Wilson. DO WOLF Hopper
| and Henry l.. Dixey.
Mr. Hopper began his career six years ago. ~hen ne
was twenty years Old. He had had Ms eye on the
law but be gave much eIsurs time private theatricas
He appeared In an amateur performance OF conscience
at theFonreenth Street Theatren 1879 rs Dr. Aor"du
and from that time dates his determination 10 20 on
the stage" His first venture was perpateuc partner
ship with Jacob with whom he wandcreh Tor Iour
wears I'm the Criterion Company playing also In One
Hundred Wives" His next appearance was In -FOUR
weeks summcr engagement at Hsrrigan & Harts where
he played juvenile business Tho actors bent however,
was In direction OF comedy Or "a he puts IL se'
he preferred make people laugh TO making then cy
The role OF Piaes Green gave him chanceto lot hm
self out 4" aud he utilized it with marked success His
Oyen Hofharzy in MAY Blossom " last summer lcd
John McCaals attention To him. and the manager saw
I'm the actor u most promising material for light opera
He accordingly made haste TO enroll Mr. Hopper among
his orces In November last he first appeared nhder
Mr. McCaulls management Desirte was proonceo
in Philadelphia and Mr.. Hopper enacted. tho rsle OF
Pomcre. Although the opera was not snccess' tho
young actor fully justified Mr.. McCaulrs choice. he
made the character hit and followed this MP with q
brilliant OAendorI highly amusing Duke Sio'sm"md
and Frant in tho Federmnus." Then. as he says ne
passed from the dress-suit role to the padded one.
He is playing at wallacks, the Bryomaser In Inc
Black Hussar"
This last drol and abounding character is In Mr..
Hoppers pronounced vein He finds IL about "a not as
stove in full blast and somewhat uncomfortable Tor
midsummer weather. yet he affords fun for the spec
tatcrs. He says with dry look In MS eye thas ne
really has an ambition beyond character In which ne
Is smothered with paint rubber pad and false nose
Yet looks wonderfully happy for content Sts upon
his face He ia tall broad shouered. hne-looking ana
has . hearty, chcery air which gives comfort to all
around him And he ia extremely earnest 10 his work
Speaking OF his purpose In entering upon stag life.
Mr.. Hopper says:
started out with the sole Idea that wanted to get
there had definite bent Mt the tnc but was Wiling
to try anything which would develop any abilities might
have. gradually driited to the point where am
to-day. believe the part OF a light opera comedian
s opposed to bucsqus tho hand and the iegiti
profession the other to he the Held best sted
to inc do nud the restrictions hero which exist
In what Is known with M the legitimate ine ana
there Is more restraint than In buresque. Tho lght
opera comedian must adhere. TO certain extent to the
character he represeut yet there for tho play OF
fancy and for exnberance OF animal spirits F'nde"
found satisfactory role but In present field prefer
tho roles of OlendorJ Pomeret. Here, too. can
combine vocal and dramatic resources"
Mr. Hopper believes in the latitude OF good gags"
udciousy used with to tickling tho aush
side OF his auditors and generally directed 10 the topics
OF the day. He succeeds In making judcious use OF
this paraphernaIa. He born In this city. aud Ia
grandson OF Isaac T. Hopper. the Abotionist His
mothers family are the De wofs. OF Bristol, an old
Rhode Island family.
Francis Wilson l. q remarkably versatile Ho
speaks French auently; IA q good German scholar;
believes too. In the study OF his anguase; Ia tho
pos.essor OF the prize at Gimores Garden In 1879
OF the champion amateur swordsnan of America; Il
capital sparrcr. and n skful bicycs rider; Hinires
Richard A. Proctor ecanse of his coni uiions to whist
for Mr.. Wilson II fr-tcass whist-player;-he Is
bright atonalI, ani above all ut present he
IL a remarkably good light opera comedian Besides he
4, not yet thirty years old Mr. Wilson proud Of one
thing-he has had long aud varied experience In the
Legitimate +" line OF Ing.
mo one," lie says. truthfuliy that am n
mushroom" Ho believes primarily In hard work
What havo accomrli.hcd." he declares. has been
done through energy aud perseverance,. Let man OF
talent have clearly defined ideas and energy and he will
invariably accomplish than genius who Ia lack
In in these qualifications
when he was "a very little fellow" Francis Wilson's
began t. dance automatically until they
danced him into mnsrelsy. Heis Phiiaiephian aud
Ids grandmother. whole -soulei Qnakeres- said TO him
when hls desire 10 appear the boards:
Francis, n thee thinks tbs, can bc actor and hold
thy respeciability don't why thee cannot become
an actor. But mark thee. cannot so and SEQ thee
play, ,"-and she diint
The young man made a COOL ioal of money In min
stresy; but his mind the legitimate line. =,
he voluntarily gave up S75 "a week and applied for .
posltlon under Manager Gcmmlll. who was making
shakcspesean rcvivas at the CHESTNUT street Theatre
Philadelphia Young Wilson's hopes were high. Ger
tanly Manager Gemmill would give him chance. How
rnnch salary Well. $40 a week for four weeks
engagement extension TO depend on the quality Of
the work lie secured the extension and before tho
n an wes HSs round to' % pnTs IN
Among his co-workrr- we're W r. Sheridan; Chirlcs
with comca smile the fart that he got tvo recalls
in the role Of theatrical nanaser ana TO thlns he
ambition not chrcksd because lie did not hsvs q
became such proficient swordsman fhai he taught
the art OF drawing sword somewhat differently from
the .ldl cppoyed n drawing a., TsiI lie ARRANGED
ana in other PLAYS. This Legitimate" experisnce |
extending through another season. laid an excellent
The next venture was with Girs Gobllns" At $50
week wherein Mr. Wilson did secb good work tia, his
grew ambitions got married. Denver. hositated
WI ether abroli or u san Prancsco went to san
nes. nat IN my SAVINGS 900 on ventnrs ana iost
s nv s". s' oa in ,qr S % ss s az
This three years Mr. Wilson then resolved 10
so"a 'P future bsiops ni@ for se wa. s young
twenty-sx years old Hc secured an engagement with
John hcCanll, ana began PLAYING IN queen Lace
Handkerchief" In Philadelphia thence coming TO this
city nni going throughout the cnnntr He hn mp tho
role Of and proved to Manager MEGA Ill hts
peculiar aud marked talents liRht opera comedian
Then followed the roles o the Dutch Tulip Gros,r Duke
Sig,smnnd Jrcmoiinf and his suec-ssfu
Prutch,sco In "Apsjnnc." Mr. Wilson says that |
Pruh>sco gave him the best opportunity he has had aud
brought him golden opinions throughout the country
attribute my Success" he saws To enthusiasm aud
energy In nv work. IL IL pleasure for me tO play. /
NJ plan is to seek ont the characterscs OF tho IN d.
vldua wish portray and get all the collateral light
can npon the part Then throw myself into II with
energy and determination to conquer all dicultIes"
Mr. Wilson has lbs eye on little bandbox theatre OF
his own where he puts It quietly. You don't appear
ike man who Ia telling fanny story ~ another inan
away across the street" He can have strong backing
for his scheme N he wishes a. but he thinks that all
fhInas will come In time 20 the patient walter.