Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-05

FRIGHT AND THE MADprNo MoNoroNY OF PLAY
ING ONE PART FOR YEARs-HIs UNUSUALLY
PLEASANT EXPERIENCE AZ cADEAux
A revolutionary physiognomist recently un-
dertook to wreck one of the most widely &C
cepted axioms of proverbial philosophy by
advancing the startling theory that smiles and
laughter cause more wrinkles on the human
face than scowls and frowns. A little man who
cordially and theoretically grasped the hand
OF STAR reporter at the Arlington last night
furnished some strong corroborative evidence
Of the truth of the revolutionary physiogno-
mists theory, which TIE STAR reporter is re-
gretfully compelled to record. The little man
In question is engaged in a business which re-
quires him to smile almost continually for q
period of three hours or so daily. OF course,
with the old belief in his mind about crows
feet not treading where smiles abound, the re-
porter expected to behold on the little mans
face q miniature worlds exposition of what
constant merriment could do in the way of
keeping young, and plump and smooth-skinned
the human countenance. But a glance at the
man in the smile business put the old belief to
fight and installed on probation the theory
OF the revolutionary writer on physiognomy.
For while there was plenty Of youthful good
nature in the eyes into which the reporters in
quiringly glanced, there we're crows feet about
the corners of them, and as the welcoming
smile faded away from about the mouth it left
clearly marked wrinkles behind. Yet the man
was unmistakably young. His manner and
reporter knew that he could not be much over
thirty, il he was that. But there were the
wrinkles, which, as he talked and smiled, the
reporter saw were the result Of his smiling.
81 have played Cadeau1 in 'Erminie' over
eleven hundred times" said the little man, who
was none other than Francis Wilson, the noted
comedian, land while as q rule feel no nerv-
BUSINESS whatever about going on the stage at
night, still on the first night of an engagement
in place like Washington confess am apt
to have q slight attack Of stage-fright. But
this quickly wears away when / get used to my
own voice and hear the always-welcome sounds
from the audience which show that nv work is
appreciated 1 first began to play in 'Erminie'
in May, 1885, and have been at il ever since
with the exception Of the few weeks when we
have played 'Nadjy' this season. But this break
has been an immense relief to me. If had
been forced to continue in 'Erminie'
right along l think I would have
been in an insane asylum before this.
If had not taken special care Of my physical
condition imagine would have felt the strain
OF playing one part so long much more than
have. The fact that we have large audiences
nearly all the time has also been great help
to me. When you go on the stage of an even
ing with headache or any other minor pain,
the applause and laughter of big audience SO
spur you on that you quickly forget about it.
On the other hand, if the audience is small and
cold, your headache grows worse and the
work which ought to be pleasure becomes a
burden. just before the election we had two
nights of bad business in Detroit, and then I
began to realize how wearing an old part may
become when you haven't the sympathy of ap-
preciative spectators to support you"
changes in the lines and business from time to
time in order to give yourself reliefY" the re-
porter inquired.
mo, have never done that, and il any other
member of the company should do it, it would
cause me to think great DEAL" the comedian
answered. "You see, after playing a part as
long as have played Cadeaur, the words and
business wear such a groove in your memory,
as it were, that it takes good deal of effort to
get out OF the groove: Actors who play one
part year after year claim that they are COM
PEELED, to save themselves from becoming
mental wrecks, to resort to all sorts of little
expedients from time to time to vary the mo-
notony. But I doubt very much if many
actors do this.
"To 60 back to the question of stage
fright again." Mr.. Wilson resumed after a
thoughtful pause, 81 never introduce a new
verse into my topical song without feeling
nervous about it. When l appear in a new
role l always have pretty sharp attacks of stage
stage people who amount to much are affected
in this way. Their legs tremble, their hands
burn, their throats become hot and dry, and if
doctor were to examine them Just about that
time he would say they ought to be in bed"
The reporter mentioned the recent cases of
Mary Anderson, who is said to have declined to
act as bridesmaid for Miss Barrett because Of
fear that she would spoil the ceremony by ner-
uousness; Edwin Booths forgetting his speech
at the Players club. and John A. Mackey run
ming away from the first performance Of "a
Noble Son."
II don't think it is commonly the case with
actors" the Canadian resumed, Ito feel very
sensitive about appearing in conspicuous places
off the stage. There are some, of course, who
can't bear to be stared at except across the foot
lights and who shun appearing in public places
as much as possible. This is no doubt the
reason why so many stage people, especially
the more noted ones, will not dine at the pub
lie tables in hotels, but have their meals served
in their apartments. Generally, however,
don't think actors are at all nervous about
being seen of the STAGE"
MORMON CONVERTS IN VIRGINIA. Mormon
elder, Rev. JAS Mohler, formerly OF Ohio, is
engaged in working up congregation in Au-
gusta county, Va, where he has succeeded in
converting and baptizing fourteen persons. He