Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-05-17
WOMEN AND THE STAGE.

Women DESTROYS of entering the
theatrical profession cannot begin their
studies too soon after they have finished
their school education, It being advisa-
BILE that acquaintance with the stage
should be made while yet the mind is
receptive and impiessionable. And
here should say that unless her talent
IS quite exceptional no girl whose per-
soDal appearance is not favorable
should enter the profession, beauty on
the stage being estimated if accom-
panied by average intelligence. No
examination qualities for entrance into
the dramatic profession, nor is any
special training necessary, but every
accomplishment, no matter what it
may be, is of value on the stage, where
the strongest opportunities are given
for the display Of all manner Of at
tainments.
The work of an actress of any am
bition is always hard, as the study OF
character can never be said to be COM
plete, the gestures never too easy, toe
graceful, and the knowledge of human
nature never perfect, but 1t is hardest
of all during the preparation for new
piece. At such times work may go on
all day long, and playing at night,
which would mean about ten or twelve
hours of work oAt of the twenty -four,
and, according to the nature of the
play. would go on for several weeks, OIL
for as many months. The easiest time
for those who are inclined to take
things easy is during the successive run
of play, when no other work than
the actual playing before the public is
necessary. At such times the actress
life may approach the ideal, but with
the end of play her anxieties often
begin anew; she loses her place, anC
her possible savings melt down very
soon.
1t is on account of this uncertainty
of employment, and the frequent
changes and interruptions in it, tina
the actress of medium talent is hardly
ever able to provide for old age, anc
as there is as yet no special provision
made for superannuated actresses, hel
lot when she becomes unable to worl
is unenviable. II, however, she keep
her health, she may remain on thu
stage as long as she could work in any
other capacity, there being parts suit
able to every age. Not few actresse
leave the stage later in life in order t,
become teachers in dramatic readin,
and stage gesture, and if they prov
proficient they are able to make a goot
living by the employment.
By the foregoing it will be seen tina
as tar as mere work is concerned, tn
lady OF the stage is not very Different,
situated from other women who work
but there is question to be dealt will
whether stage life does not unfit
woman for home life, and for tn
sphere which, whether she earns he
own living or not, is always allotted
to her in private life--that sphere.
mean, in which her womanly qualitie
are brought into play; and the answe
to this is that in almost all cases it un
settles her for domestic life. The con
tinued excitement, the publicity. tn
acting of different parts--indeed, tn
nature of all work is such that, unles
the comparative quiet of private lifi
becomes doubly attractive by compari
son, which can only be the case witt
superior natures. it units her for tn
part assigned by nature TO ever,
| woman,