New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-02
STORIES OF THE STAGE.
A COLLECTION OF UNREHEARSED SITUA.
TONS
ACTORS AND ACTRESSES WHO HAD PRESENCE
OF MIND UNDER TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES
HOW TWO SMALL BOYS ENHANCED Tho
EFFECT OF A THRILLING SCENE


1t is generally accepted axiom that of all profcs-
sions followed by acting Is the one in which re-
suits are most uncertain and in which the work of in
dustry skill and genius be most easily marred or
completely nullifed by trivial and absurd accidents
At the same time IL has TO be said That actors ana
actresses are in emergency the readest In resource
10 extricate themselves from difficult and dangerous
predlcaments Their possession Of this faculty long
ago passed into a proverb. The history OF the stage
| In England and America teens with Instances III
which, by the exercise Of little timely seposseSsion
GOODNESS and the Invaluable quality OF tact IN WHICH
theatrical people excel all others, performer mas oeen
able 10 save a scene or play. or, indeed, whoie
theatre from disaster Remarkable evidence OF the
kind may be found in the following story told TO the
writer by three Of the persons chiefly concerned IN IL
HOW MISS NELSON KNOCKED A MAN DOWN.
The incident in question happened about seven
| teen years ago, when Adelaide Nelson was making
| one Of her periodical tours through the Ehgnsh
| provinces Her leading man at that time was b. H.
Brooke, one Of the most accomplished actors Oh ms
| day, who died in 1885 Brooke, whose health was
never good. had been attacked with serious illness
early In the tour and after an absence Of several
weeks duration rejoined the company at Nottingham
The piece selected for the opening night of the weeks
engagement was The Lady Of Lyons" and Brooke OF
cours, the Claude Molnotte.
Those familiar with the play will remember the
strong situation in the third act where Melnotte Is
1
Damas The climax Of the scene Is reached when
Pauline takes the whole stsge from of prompt 10
centre and throws herself into Melnotte's arms
with hystercal outbdrst Of grief and love- Brooke
who was still weak. ee saabtful about his ability 10
last through the act. and precautionary measure
took Miss Nelson aside Just before the curtain went
up. saying:
"When we reach the curtain cue at the close of the
third act kindly take that run across the stage
little slower. II you at me in your usual style
l trembe for the consequences
"oh that'n be all right" answered the actress con-
| fdently, leave IL TO me-
The play acted with great fire and dash by Miss
Nelson and the excellent company that supported her.
went spenddly from the rise Of the curtain, and tho
audience was trimming over with enthusiasm Brooke
warming to his work, had forgotten his Illness
and weakness, and acting better even than usual
At last the close Of the third act was reached.
Claude heartbroken and despairing was rushing of
10 the in quest Of fortune or death, and inc
audience had been worked up TO perfect fever OF
excitement. Miss Nelson always at her best In
this scene and at It's close. carried away by the in
tensity Of the situation lost all remembrance of her
promise TO Brooke. She went at him with her full
40 pounds OF force. His legs gave way and they
fell to the ground together. The whole house was in
a roar as Brooke, with anguish, shame and indignation
contendlng for the mastery in him, struggled to his
feet and assisted the actress rise Then he turned
now silent audience. The agony uepicted in the
actors face awakened them TO the real gravity Of
position. and they were deathly quiet Brooke waited
a moment and then spoke as follows:
Ladies and Gentlemen: If this situation is painful
to you it is still painful TO me, and with re-
proachful look at Miss Nelson, possibly, the lady
Shall order the curtain TO be dropped, or shall we
proceed with the scenel'
AGO on Go on Bravo :" was the responsive shout
from a thousand Threats, and the piece proceeded
trumphany to its close, Pauline and Claude rcceiv-
ing five calls before the curtain.
This story calls to mind another incident Of Miss
Nelson's career. On occasion she was playing
at Dublin in " Romeo and Juliet In the vault where
juliet kills herself the body Of her lover, there
came an unexpected nterposion that nearly destroyed
the effect Of the scene.
"The audience had been worked into highly
emotional condition." said Nelson, in telling the story
afterward. and as at last plunged the fatal dagger
into my bosom an excited Irishman in the pit called
out. Oh Jim, she's dane it, had to substitute
gggle for my death struggle"
PRESENCE OF MIND OF A BOY.
Perhaps one Of the most remarkable instances
Of presence of mind seen during the long
run Of The World at Drury Lane. One night, just
after the close of the fourth act, William Rgnod-tho
robust and picturesque Clement Huntingford Of the
pece-was with Miss Fanny J0sephs, taking tho
usual CALI when, without the slightest warning tho
roller Of the drop curtain gave way, and the huge
mass of canvas tumbed into a heap the stage
throwing actor and actress TO the floor and almost
smotherng them in its folds. portion of the cur
tain had fallen on the footghts, which blazing
at their full strength
In another moment the curtain would have caught
fire and no power earth could have saved the
theatre from disaster. But call-boy
whose name is just now unfortunately
forgotten-saw the danger that threatened
building actors, and audience and with the quckness
Of lightning fash, darted to the gas-man's box ami
turned of the lights, thus averting the destruction
Of the theatre and the possible loss Of hundreds OF
lives For this service he rewarded by Augustus
Harris with the magnificent sum Of five shillmgs
II is due to the company 10 say that they did not
follow the example Of the manager, but gave the lad
purse Of gold.
A well-known English actress playing Juvenile
lead at Liverpool in Of the good old fashioned
nautical meodramas. dear 70 the hearts OF our
forefathers, where the heroine in white muslin, goes
through every kind Of trial and trbulaton in three
acts only to emerge safe aid Triumphant in virtue at
the end OF the fourth act. IN the second act tie
heroine, wife OF captain, supposed 70 be drowned,
is starving in garrett and oIuia landlord ana sun
more brutal bailt are ABOUT 70 tuil her INTO Ile
for nOn-payment OF rent. Az the critical
moment, where the two rnihans proceed 10 drhS
her out Of the garrett, bury saliol IA the
gallery, much worked up by whiskey and sympathy.
could restrain his feeling no longer, spflngIn4 over
the gallery rail, he clamDered with the nimDleness OF
cat down the sides OF the boxes, 70 the stage end
with one arm he hurled both actors to the prompt
box
stand behind me, my dear he shouted to the
heroine. "I'u pay the money. Now striking a
pugstic attitude) let any one lay finger on her"
Explanation expostulation and entreaty were Of no
avail. There he stood, refusing TO bulge an Inch.
amid the loud cheers of his comrades IN front.
Finally, the managers wife appearing in the scene
with bag Of gold which she handed 10 the prosecuted
woman. he was induced TO give up his post
THE WAY TWO BOYS HELPED STORM
A good story OF early stage experiences Is told By
Robert b, a well-knOwn London editor. lie came
Of a theatrical family. and In his youthful days. was
occasionally put on 10 play childrens parts. or make
himself useful in pieces where his services
might be turned to good account Associated with
him. as playmate and schoolfe!low, was the son Of
solicitor a gentle youth OF about the age and