New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-02
TRAVELLING .1CTORS.
A SAD SIDE OF STAGE LIFE.
"That Is the very worst show ever saw -


The man who gave vent TO the above unqualified
condemnation Of very small audience that
IN a large town in Northern New-York had just wit
messed the representation Of new ard literally ad-
vertiscd musical farce-comcdy. However rdrl the
training Of the amateur critic whose remark has
been quoted his Judgment unqueslonably reliable
The writer who I'm the course OF long experience on
metropolitan journals has witnessed many sad
and painful first nights never before saw anything
grimly unfunny " and so pahetically mlrthless.
Yet the company headed by two stars who I'm
other pieces had been amusing favorItcs, and The
cast included three four other clever and fairly
well known people. As tho writer happened TO he
acquainted with one OF tho prominent members Of
the company. he waited TO learn vha was the matter.
when tho actor emerged from the dark rcccsscs
Of the stage entrance. he surprised. but not
Gratifed. to meet an acquaintance, and expressed
hope that the performance had not been secn on
being told that It had he said; "Well. I'm sorry
for f. but the mischief is done. And then You must
know | am not so bad a. | seem he. whats tho
matter with Us allr Simply the piece. It's llkr
gloomy pail over everything va attempt. II there
were such thing as a mage spell at could prevent
any raising laugh. should believe II had been
woven round this melancholy farce 1t doesn't
signify what do scarcely raise smile, and
the sound Of a laugh has long been forgotten
by our ears in vain try and dances and
gags that in other pieces have convulsed audiences
in this they fall aatter than a pancake that has
bern through steam-manglc. We come of from
doing our spccalfics and gazc sadly at each other.
wondering Ii not really losing powers.
The reports of our failure travel ahead of us, and
the small irsi-nsht audiences 10 assemble with
looks Of patient resignation on their faces
How are salaries -
Don't ASH We have had two weeks out OF
six AID lately It has been hard enough to get even
board PAID
"why don't you quit,
avery easily said, but even n I mad the money
in my pocket 10 get to New-York It might be weeks
before ! could find another Job Fortunately.
am all alone in the world. but there married
men arr women In this company who have families
dependent upon them. and what they are doing. or
will do. Heaven only knows. We hang together IN
a kind OF despairing hope that the tide will turn.
but all the time we know II will not There IS
blame attached to the stars who induced TO 60
into this venture the representations Of tho author.
who claimed 10 have hacker with unlimited capital
Perhaps he was himself deceived. for the 'bscker'
certainly started out, and seen occasionally
during the first week two but, like moro Of his
kind when there T. a loss the 'backcr' stays far
back that there Is getting hold of him The man
ager Is supposed to represent him and the author.
but not a cent even letter message can be
got from either. The mreabty of Spectators
is the cruel feature Of this profession, and there
won't be any help for II Till the law makes the
obtaining OF services under false ptctenccs just
much crime II now does the obtaining OF money
n is really much greater crime, for the person
who Is cheated out Of money IS generally more
less able to stand the loss. but the person who Is
cheated out Of the payment for his services usually
loses all he has 10 depend upon.
Now look at the condition OF several OF us In
his company. Our savings of last season
pretty well used up during the summer, and what
was Jeff went for costumes and outfit for this piece
Some of US refused other good engagements because
we were assured of the soldity of this, and were
promised special opportunities of distinguishing
selves Suppose go back to NewYOrk and look
for something else. As said before. # may be weeks
before We got the poorest chance and then I would
probably be with some 'hybynght snap After
Two or three experiences of that kind should get
the name Of 'Jonahs' The mcTbers Of the profession
are childi,hly super>titious and crcdulous. They
believe in Omens. signs ?crten'' and fortune-telnc
and are that the unfortunate individuals they
Cub 'Jonahs' bring bad luck 10 any organ zlion
have Just told you how EASILY one may, through
being left early In season. acquire that abb
title, but It would be impossible TO say how hard II
Is {, shake It of Then, too, the unfortunate actor
IS constantly striking managers who, after few
weeks of bad business reduce salaries. Contracts arc
OF no value. for though they nomInally for
season. nearly all subject TO termination on two
weeks notice. The actor who is notified Of IN
tended reduction of salary usually submits. unless
he Is Of such remarkable prominence as 10 be sure
Of being In immediate demand Blu; the average
actor who knows the uncertainty and difficulty Of
securing an engagement Ia the middle vi season
has little option Moreover, be has to bear In mind
that the clothes bought for 'he present piece arr
very unlikely fit the next. In the of actresses
this consideration IL even more wcghty the out
lay may have been anywhere from two hnndr d TO
a thousand dollars. 80 Inc reduction f. generally
conceded because even II anOif er engagement can
be Obtained loss OF time and additional outlay would
amount 10 about a, much a. the los, through o.
ductiJI
uany sO-calicI '-Oriciy dchuantes' and the
ilu, of The VariOus schools and professors OF acting
know III Tie about thu gloomy side OF our If. y
they did they w0nld not be nearly 80 anxious g
rush into H. When to the discomfort OF fcquent
travel al unreasonable hour long iramps 10 and nom
atoms, and poor hotels at high price,, J. d
uncertainty about receiving salaries, the glamour
supposed 10 attend on our lives becomes sadly umInod
don't know how much longer this ming VIII last
but III give Won my route. and If YOU hear Of anyone
wanting a singing comedian, be sure TO let me know