Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-26
TIMES HAVE CHANGED.
Actors not Educated Now-Stories OF
Forrest and Charlotte Cushman.

.'How time have changed for the young ac-
tor" said James O'Neill, otherwise known as
Monte Cristo, to STAR man the other day.
"A stock actor doesn't have the work that he
had when went into the profession in Cincin-
natl. When I was a utility man we were
obliged to be at the theater at O'Clock in the
morning. We had half an hours practice at
fencing in all its forms-foil, broadsword, and
cutlass-and then half an hour under the dane
ing master. The regular rehearsal Of the COM
pany began at 10 O'Clock, and continued as long
as the stage manager thought proper"
"You don't call any rehearsal that early now,
do your asked THE STAR man.
mot much. Most of the people consider it
hard times to be obliged to get round to the
theater at noon. And then now an actor has
one part which he perhaps plays the whole
season. Why. when went to Mcvicker's thea
ter in Chicago, just after the fire, we would get
the repertoire of n star, say Booth or Forrest,
weeks in advance of their engagement, and
our parts would be given us to study. Probably
there would be different play each night and
yet when the star arrived we were expected to
appear at rehearsal without parts that is. dead
letter perfect. Speaking of Forrest. remem-
Der when was playing at Cleveland, under Jno
Ellsler-this was before 1 went to Chicago
Forrest opened an engagement there in "sVir-
ginius." Efie Ellsler. who was nothing but
-
very nervous. After the curtain went down on
the last act she said to Mr.. Forrest Did 1 do
well? 1 tried very hard The old man took
her face between his two hands and kissed her
forehead as he said MY dear child YOU are
Virginia Charlotte Cushman played an en-
gagement at McVicker's while was there, and.
as would have nothing to do for the week
following, she induced McYicker to let me 90
with her to Buffalo. She was very kind to me.
and l got the biggest salary for that weeks
work had ever received in my life up to that
time. know when / went to bid her goodbye
she was sitting in her room before a table
which was literally heaped with greenbacks,
and she was separating the worn and soiled
bills from the fresh ones. Il hate these old
bills, she said. I'm going to send them to the
treasury and get bright, crisp ones She told
me ought to go to France and study for
couple OF years; but was poor and couldn't
do anything of that kind, so went back to my
work."
when did you first play in Washington"
Il came on with Jefferson, 1 think in 1869,
and we played in the old National theater 1
remember played Dick Do,olds in the Heir
at-Law" as my first part in this city,"
There have been great changes here since
then?''
eyes, indeed This is now the most beautiful
city in the country. 1 have been driving for
four hours all about the city and am lost in adj
miratlon at its beauty. If had my way
would devote large portion of the treasury
surplus to improving and identifying WASH
ington until it should be the most beautiful
city in the world"
why don't you buy some ground here, build
you house and settle down for enjoyment
when you have made money enough?"
well, may do that. I've been thinking of
it, 1 assure you"