Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-13

Behind the curtain Madam Rose
Is fitting on her silken hose,
And padding out-she is accused
Where nature rudely has refused
To bless her-but that no one knows
Between the acts. q. ].
1t is never grateful task to condemn q
play or an actor, but especially must il
ever be distasteful to most critics to speak
i'll of woman's performance. Yet of Miss
Helen Barry and the play she made her
debut in, "Love and Liberty" it is moi
possible to say word of praise. The play
is heavy and unnatural in plot and evolu-
tion, and no compensating quality is afforded
by the dialogue. The character Miss Barry
assumed did not suit her in the least, and
she would have made very poor impression
here had she not also appeared in a much
better play and in role infinitely more
congenial to her.
But on the second venture of Miss Barry
can only speak by hearsay. A corre-
spondent of valued critical ability, however,
writes me to the following effect: "Miss Barry
displayed no little naivete and gracefulness as
the Countess D'AutrevaI and proved rarely
charming in the unlacing of q cunningly con-
trived plot"
The wonderful fascination that the horses
and fire engine have had for the public ever
since Arthurs 1.-THE Still Alarm" was first
shown to them seems to have abated not at ALL
The Bl1ou Theater has been hardly able to sc-
commodate all who desired to see Mr.. Harry
Lacy and the great fire station scene.
sss
The managers of "The Dark Secret are dis
tributing the news all over the country that
their dramatic tank is earning 81, 900 week for
them. 1t is wonderful news, for the profits ex-
ceed the deserts of the play by more rather than
less than 81 900 each week.
80
PITTSBURG cannot grumble about her theat-
rical opportunities when the Opera House
offers New York production of "The Bri-
gands" and the Bijou Theater "a Possible
Case," one Of the brightest American comedies
yet written, in f1rst-class hands
IF feminine Ebeauty be the choicest inspira-
tion poet can have, what riot of soul and
senses is In store for the beloved of the muse on
the Grand Opera House stage this weekl
s,<
PERHAPS q few facts about the career of
Miss Lillian Russell may not be out of place
Just now, and friend of hers furnishes the fol-
lowing: First Of all, Miss Russell was intend
ed from childhood for musical career. She
was educated with this intent, under the care
ruI direction of Mme.: Vail, a noted vocal
teacher IN Chicago, where Lillian Russell was
born and reared. Nine years of her early life
were spent in the convent of the Sacred Heart,
In Chicago, and she graduated from that insti-
turlon with an adequate knowledge of French
aud German, in addition to all the Eng
Iish branches q well-educated American
girl nowadays becomes proficient in.
At that time the girls am bition was to eventu-
ally make her de but in grand opera, and this
idea was fostered by her relatives and friends.
Through the influence, however, of the wife of
q well-known New York manager, whose name
is still one of the most prominent in New
York's theatrical world, Miss Russell was per-
susded to accept a brief engagement with E.
E. Rice in "Pinafore." She was then not more
than IL. Her connection with Mr.. Rlce's
'Pinafore" company extended over two
months or so, and then, having been wooed and
won by the musical director of the organiza-
lion, she retired from the stage. Later on the
necessity came for earning livelihood by
means of her voice. Her return to the pro-
fessional life she had left when she married
came about in a peculiar manner. She
% Osher gpeope resdeG
and among them was girl who was engaged
BY Tony Pastor for speciality act in his thea
ter, which at that time was situated down
calling at the house one day to complete some
business arrangements with this young woman,
,he well-known variety manager overheard
Miss Russell taking singing lessons in an ad-
pressed desire to meet her. He did meet her, |
Ind few moments later made her an offer of |
$50 a week if she would appear at his theater |
md sing ballads. Fifty dollars a week was a |
fortune in those days, and under her (then) |
it is not surprising that the fol-
owing Monday found the name of Miss Lillian |
Russell ascribed as one of the principal at
ractions on the programme at Tony Pastors |
Cheater.
Miss Russell speaks Of her experience at this
lime with more or less satisfaction, as if it was |
ler stepping stone that brought her greater
anne isteT on: She s sung ,.9,, such well7known
md similar English ballad music. 'The Kerry
Dance" created sensation. It was a style of |
Iocal music decidedly new at that time in va
iety theaters, and Miss Russell suddenly found
herself surrounded with managers, who made
Ter various more or less fattering offers. At
he conclusion Of a six months engagement
With Pastor, she became member Of the Nc
Caul Opera Company, and made her first ap-
he Snake Charmer" Her success is said to
ave been phenomenal, and in reality it was
Ter real debut into the field of light opera. In
he meantime Miss Russell was studying hard
New York with Nine Cappiani. teacher
gell-known in New York and Boston. Her
'oice grew stronger, rounder and fuller, and
he was then as now an artist whose excellent
'ocal work and true method was such that it
'laced her in light opera roles in the front
ank in her profession. She has created
he leading roles in this country OF such well
Znown comic opera as Virginia" !" "Billie Tay-
or" Polly" "Pepita,n "Dorothyn and "The
Queens Mate" She has also fulfilled long
in England in successful runs Of
Virginia" at the Gaiety Theater, and at the
london Novelty Theater, then under the man
cement of sister of Mr.. Augustus Harris, in
Polly" 1t is half a dozen or more years ago
hat Lillian Russell was literally the queen Of
omic opera at the Casino, New York. Since
hat time she asseveral times changed her man.
gers, but last year she returned to the scene
= her former triuwphs, the New York Casino
Ihe made her re-entree there in ''Nadjy" last
darch. When THE Brigands" was brought
ut, Miss Russell had the role Of Fforelld, the
rigand's daughter, part that fits her beauty
nd talents as neatly as glove should fit her
retty hand. Miss Russell is under contract
nth Mr.. Aronson for two years. and for her
ervices she is paid by that manager just $4,000
year. Miss Russell was born in December
S6l, and is consequently just q years old
SO
The career Of the 81. s. Mailn since it left
'ittsburg has been very satisfactory to its
wners. During the past week it has been
laying to large houses in towns near Pitts
urg, and really handsome success was
cored at Washington, where the theater was |
acked, and the reception Of the play very
altering. There is strong probability that
VIII ere long obtain date At frst-class