Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-08-07
MY DEBUT AS A VILLAIN.

| done about itE IL was too late to ad-
vertise for another heavy villain; and,
besides, there were very few of them in
the states at that time. because the small
pox was not raging in MOI real. We
had consultation. and decided that
something must be done. l suggested
that, as last resort, the part of the viii
lain might be left out. and the heroine
might make away with herself
at the proper time; but as there
really did not seem to be any
reason why she should commit sui
eide in the circumstances, we concluded
that it might detract from the impressive
ness and destroy the unity of the play.
and that on the whole my suggestion was
not just the thing Finally the hero
inc asked me if | wouldn't play the part
of the yillainl | reminded her that my
contract with the company expressly pro-
| vided that | should be exempt from his
trionic duties, and, Furthermore. that ]
knew | had no talent whatever for acting.
and might become embarrassed and forget
my part, or do something else equally
as unfortunate. But she persisted that |
was just the man for villain-cut out
for the part, as it were, by nature; and,
as for getting stuck in my lines, she said
that she would guarantee TO help me out
of that difficulty herself as she knew
every word of the play by heart, and
could easily prompt me in tone that
would not be heard by the audience.
Well, the result was that the fair hero
ine-to whose charms was not altogether
blind-prevailed upon me, and against my
better Judgment / consented to take the
part of the villain.
devoted four DAYS to committing the
part to memory. then rehearsed for the
first time with the company, in costume.
and succeeded in getting as far as the
stabbing scene without losing my cue.
| Here could not remember whether the
victim shrieked first or l. in deep bass
| tones, exclaimed: Aha disdainful one,
prepare to dier' The result was that we
both gave utterance to our emotions at
| the same time. creating a very undrama-
| tic hubbub. The entire company broke
down and laughed for several minutes.
| But we got through with the rest of the
tragedy all right, and the second re-
| hearsal went off better still. We had time
for just one more rehearsal before our ap-
pearance at Willowtown; but this re-
hearsai, strange to say, was not as good
(as far as was concerned) as the second.
On Tuesday we took the afternoon
train for Willowtown, | was rather ner-
vous all the way down, but the
rest of the company cheered me up and
assured me that the inspiration of ap-
pearing before an audience would take all
my trepidstion away. Thus encouraged,
| made up my mind not to worry, but to
do the best could when the time came.
We arrived in Willowtawn just in time
for supper, and, after refreshing our
calyas al, = l.. l.-
where the representation was to be given,
and got our limited scenery and proper
ties in shape. By 8 o'clock we were all ON
deck, in costume, and, when the stamp
ing of feet and whistling among the audi
ence warned US that it was time for the
curtain to go up. we gave the signal to
the shifter, and burst upon the assembled
populace in all our spIendor | should
state, however, that before our splendor
became fully revealed, there was some
levity among the audience, owing to the
fact that the curtain rose ut first only at
one corner, revealing a large brown jug
standing by painted haycock-which,
taken in connection with the harvest
scene, of which it formed part. was well
enough, Of course, but was rather ineon-
Gruous, appearing, as it did. without the
necessary scenic support.
The first scene passed off very smoothly.
as neither of the principal characters,
neither myself nor the heroine, appeared.
In the second scene l was to come upon
the stage In sort Of dark lantern fashion,
wrapped in mystery and long black
cloak, introduce myself to the audience in
few half audible and occult remarks to
one of the actresses and then disappear
as abruptly as l had come, by well exc
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to address INV mvsteriou remarks stared
and crinped as 1 appeared suddenly before |
her. Tbs senuicbral sentences wero
snokep. / raised INV hand warninply and |
beran TO melt away in the twilight; but. !
alssI had miseaiculated the location of |
the opening through which was to evan |
orate. There was a sudden crash that |
resourded through every part OF the |
building, and the next instant was fat |
on nv back, wrestling with the fore |
ground of the twilight scene, which had |
TONED over upon me, while roars Of |
laughter pealed from the delighted Gudi- |
a,oa ~ ,dd 70 fba ridicnIoncuaSS Of tho