Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-15
ABBEY HIRES MRS. POTTER.
The Well-Known Amateur Actress
to Become a Professional.


The rumors current during the past
summer to the effect that Mrs. James
Brown Potter had decided to desert the
amateur stage and become professional,
and which rumors have been renewed
during the past week. have been confirmed
by person well informed on the subject,
who speaks from personal knowledge.
This person gave to the World represen-
tative Yesterday history of the trdnsac-
ton as follows:
When Mrs. Potter went abroad last
spring. says a gOssiper to the New York
World, she said repeatedly that she did
not care so much for the mere social
pleasures as be opportunity of seeing
and talking with the best actors and elo-
cutonists and studying their methods.
Her social success was, to certain de-
gree, unexpected even by herself, for she
had been to London several times before,
knew few people and went Outvery little
while there. With her usual acumen and
shrewdness she at once saw the great
lever put in her hands by the sensation
she created at Mrs. Mackay's great
ball. She did not fail to avail her
self OF the advantage thus gained by her
beauty and talents, but she never for
moment lost sight of her prime object. AS
soon as she was settled in London she
sent notes TO Irving, Barrett, DiXey, Miss
Fortescue, Miss Anderson and Ellen
Terry, and before long was on good terms
with all of them, visiting the theatres FREE
quently, paying close attention to stage
gestures, infiexions. facial expression,
details of costume and everything i'm
portant for an actress to know.
Mrs. Potter consulted Irving and asked
his advice, which was that one wasted
force In recitations, having to create all
the scenery and adjuncts for the minds
eye of the auditor, and they were more
eXnaustIng than long stage play. Miss
Anderson said to her, when asked for her
advice, "Have nothing to do with amateur
theatricals." Mrs. Potter recited Tor Mr..
and Mrs. Kendall, and hearing after
wards that they had SAID "the American
lady will never succeed on the stage till
she learns how TO use her arms" and
further rather severe criticisms, she was
somewhat discouraged. and ii was partly
due to this that her professional appear
ance was delayed-she realizing that not
only talent but long aud arduous study is
necessary for success on the stage. Mrs.
Potter, "a you know, has long, thin and
un2raceiul arms that detract from the
grace Of her slim figure.
| am quite positive that Mrs. POtter'g
contract was all drawn up before she lett
England last summer. Marcus MAYER.
Mr.. Abbey's agent, was in constant COM
munlcatlOn with her IN London. and the
copy Of the contract was seen by reliable
persons. IL covered several sheets Of pa
per and went into the smallest details.
The matter was long time in debate.
Mrs. Potter asking for 100000 Tor one
season, and Mr.. Abbey being unwilling TO
pledge himself for that sum. Finally
they compromised on $50 coo, and Mrs.
Potter, holding the envelope in which was
the contract, said, on the day the compro-
mise was made, IL have fortune nere.v
This contract stated that Mrs. Potter was
TO make her tirst appearance In America
IN October Of this year. 1t renamed I'M
signed, however, the criticisms
OF the Kendals and strong
FAMILY influence deterring Mrs. Potter
from taking the definite and irrayocAble
step. one point she had insisted upon
was that an allowance sh0u d Ice made
for a secretary % manage her affairs and
look after ner interests, ana her father.
David Irquhart, was the secretary
named. II was some time before a decl-
sion wac reached. aud finally n WINS
agreed upon that Mrs. Potter should 20 20
Paris, place herself IN the hands oi Mr.
McLane. United states Minister 10 France
and Mrs, POttpr's uncle by MARRIAGE. and
that she SHOULD study either az the Con-.
seiyatO.rr or with some DISTINGUISHED
actor. The contract dates we're al cred
~ accord with this decision. Anrhurt
( BIAS been made iO keep This story quiet.
Duf 900 thratftnHi circles lu tbfs CITY n bHs
been pretty we'll known Tor -fLsotimrthat
some contract b.tWtfn Abbey and Nrs.
Putr o existed, though the precise terms
] NtTe unknown.