New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-06
A VARIETY PLAYERS LIFE.
HOW HE Is REGARDED BY OTHER ACTORS
SCENES IN THEATRICAL AGENTS OFFICE
CHANGES IN THE VARIETY BUSINESS
AND ITS PROBABLE FUTURE.

the stage and in actors and often is at great pains
to become acquainted with the little world In when
the actors move and have their being. But Oh inc
life Of the great army Of players who are on WHAT
Is called the variety stage the Ncw-lorker KNOWS
little or nothing lie has become accustomed TO AS
ISOLATE the variety performed with the Bowcry ana
Harry IIin and is content to dismiss him without
thought
IL is true that other actors and actresses regard tho
men and the variety stage WIFI sca"V
lavor. Brothers and sisters in art they may De- Dut
they are hardly recognized such by the society
favorites who walk the stage In comedy, melodiama
and tragedy. Nothing exceed and no words
can adequately express the dsdain with which the
average comedian who has himself often been grad
uated from the music hall regards the variety actor
OF course the variety is sensible OF this feeling
and is quick To resent it in kind. lie will often pay
back with good interest the taunts and sights heapeh
upon him by those who pride themselves on their
superiority OF caste.
STYLES OF VARIETY ACTING.
Variety performers cover a wide field Of action.
They include the dashng, lively, blaclIcyed seriO-
coEs.s singer, with her rouge. winhs, oslnSs ana
smiles, and the negro minstrel with his hyena laugh
his banjo, bones and big boots the musical mar
VEL" who plays six different instruments in sue
cesslon and all of them at once and the man OF
wooden visacc with his stovcpipe hat. frock coat and
shilelagh stick who tells OF the woes of McC'lny or
the fate Of the man who struck OHara; the strong
man. who breaks iron bars with his fists. and the
sketch ducttss," male and female. who nterSperse
mock matrimonial Quarrels and stale gags" with
songs and breakdOwns: the sisters weak in voice.
but light Of foot, and the juggler who twirls pyra
mids OF plates on his little finger sends gterinG
cascades of knives twirling through the air. the mon
cOmique" with his huge ulster huge mustache huge
cigar and Botany Bay gentility, and finally the star
boxers who give fancy imitation displays of the pn
gilisc art" for the edfcaton OF the gallery, which
pay their salaries.
Like those who connected with the legitimate
school of acting, the variety performers accus
toned to place their destinies in the hands of an
agent. who makes their engagement for them, fixing
terms. dates other details without reference to
the actor or actress. lie charges a commission on
the salaries IF each The unprofessional OBJ
server desiring 10 obtain an insight into the meth
DDS by which the variety business is conducted or TO
be brought into contact with all Of the various types
Of performer. should pay visit TO of the var-
ETY. agents Offices. description of one of these
places description for the rest
AN AGENTS OFFICE.
large. stuGy. ill-nghted. il-ventilatcd room is
divided into two parts by partition that stretches
from the front window to the wall one half
OF his apartment serves as reception and lounglng
room for callers and the inner half is the variety
agents private Office The four walls Of this room
are beautifully besprinkled with colorcd bills and
posters representing signor Rinaldni. the human
fy." in his great ceiling-walking act, "the Bound
Ing Brothers of Ascalon" forming pyramid with
their eight bodies: 1.-THE Rooney Boys. Champion
Irish Knockabout Duettsts, Dancers and Comedians
America, Great Britain and Australia! !!'
Leaning against the partition wall with his hands
stuck deep in his trousers pockets and gazing in
contemplatve fashion at the floor is tall, we'll
built, nashily dressed young man, whose glossy silk
hat. red tie carefully oiled mustache. paste diamond
stud and ring and light check suit contrast oddly
COLLAR ava1 fha edOe md hOotS
worn the last stage OF dilapidation. Sitting on
chairs facing him are two profusely bcpowde9ed
and berouged young women brunette and blonde.
Respondent in sealskin Jackets glltterIng earrings
and gold bangles in the corner sits pale care
looking man, whose deeply tinted nose, trembling
lips and twitching fingers tell his story. At the
further end Of the partition wall two athletic looking.
cleanshaven. Ratchet faced youths engaged in a
mock sparring bout and payfully
tapping each other on the brcaetbonc
Scattered around in different parts of the room OF
about the entrance hall several other types Of
the class. all in less Eliminating mood. and
all gazing with the same longing carnesncss toward
the door Of the agents private office.
As the visitor enters the room the brunette with
many csScs. is relating to the blonde the story OF
On experience"
AN ADVENTURE WITH JOHNNIE
Gle sent this with the letter she is saying, point
ing TO the diamond locket at her throat and then
he waited at the stagedoor until came out. He
was q bit green at DISTINGUISHING and stammering
and all that sort OF thngbut soon put him straight
and then he asked me to supper
odd you go 2" asks her companion, with look
Of mournfu envy at the lockct.
"wc, should CALCULATE answers the brunette
with a loud laugh Did l go! You bet did"
awhcre did ho take you--tO Fanchinis'" persists
the blonde.
"Fanchinis,' responds the brunette with con
tcmptuous toss of her head, q should have lkeo 10
see his impudence try it on me- Dels' my dear
DeI's with everything all bang up and unlimited
fzz-nOthing else for this child! Hes asked me
again for tonight and is going to bring announcer
Johnnie with him. and Ive promised to take you
"oh. YOU darlng!o exclalms the blonde. throw
jnC her arms round the brunettcs neck IN transport
of gratitude. An this time the stranger mas oeeh
awaiting the return OF the shockheaded boy VINO mas
taken his card into Tie agents room, ana mas had
lime to notice the various remarks mNulouS anu
otherwise which his appearance has excited
Another of them-what is he afterl' $50 on ne
mint no profesh. Look at the cut oil NM NY
what Cloves "WhO Is tF hcUihty HSV
cousnin Say, get on 10 his coat says inc
blonde TO the brunette in louo "Ihepcr' "H''V"'
everybody laughs, and then the brunette wh" ap
pears TO be in exceedingly good spirits this morn
ing bursts INTO the following refrain;
Hes a tp-;Op swell
A a-Gl da,di iellah;
lie tries do the 'hcavy'
With a cotton umbrcIah;
His shirt but dickey,
And paper are his CUFFS
And he calls himself the
Colonel Of the BuIshiah Bufs
THE AGENT COMES on THE SCENE
"Not quite much melody, but Just mc'ooS
.nourh NV dear" says the agent, suddenly appear
ing at the partition door. If you'd only sing IKE
that on the stage you would be worth your weight III
Ia No,hinp for Won this morning, Mily," he con
Times turning to the blonde; nor for you Carrie
nrnng to the brunette. "unless YOU like 10 90 TWO
wecks together at Philadelphia and Bos
ton After that think l can hN
,ou for a .s~enty weelN' tour certain, with Howard
g snuvan-sixty dollars each and all eXcS. All
right Very well. come down tomorrow morning
and sign Charlie addressing the moody looking
mus,ached Young man, ~Ivc got week for you at
lie MetrnnnlItan at $50. and a week IN Jersey Oily