Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-29
4 TALK WITH BANGS.
TIVE VIRGINIA ACTOR GIVES SOME
cLMpsEs, or HIS EXPERIENCE.
nj. Attachment TO the Lost Cause.-The
Influence cfthe stagc--iiis Estimate
nj jefferson and Booth.

Daniel Dovlas in the Heir-at-Lsw. 1t Is
a pleasure to the people Of this state 10
know that this celebrated actor Is VIZ
einian by birth, and what is more. that ne
cast his fortunes with the Confederacy
when the great struggle between the
States began, and served during the whole
war.
Mr.. Bangs IL well known in this city,
where ba has ALWAYS been q UNIVERSAL Ia
yorite. having won the admiration or the
Richmond people when he appeared years
400 as the star In the Silver King and sub
seouently whom he played Jim the PEN
man. -, Ill l.
His position In the stage world now Is
one of undispueed prominence, anu as no
lodeed now as the most prominent actor
ever born in Virginia.
Mr. BANGS was seen Tuesday evening
nv a DrspATcH reporter ct his room in the
| Exchange Hotel. where he stops while
| in Richmond, and asked to give, some MS,
| tory of bis dramatic career and the ups and
downs of an actors life.
vIRGrsIAN AND Ex-coNyEDERATE.
"I hear. Mr.. Bangs, that you are Viz
pinian by birth" said the reporter, and
that you fought in the Confederate army.
Can you tell me something about your war
experiences?" r.h;,c obout
that snbiect.n said the celebrated actor.
M no Law comfortably stretched on his bed
putting q handsome pipe, which seemed 70
| afford him great enjoyment. am
public man. and il would not become me
| 10 discuss the war, although / love the
cause for which 1 fought and am
thorough Virginian. All that is over now;
| and don't think we ought TO discuss ~.
The reporter assured Mr.. Bangs that ne
| did not desire to hear his martial expert
ences from a political standpoint, but
simply asked. as he knew the war record
of such ell-known man would be OF
public interest, especially as be had fought
in the Confederate army.
BOTH nrRIoT1o AND SYMPATHETIC.
eyes" added Mr.. Bangs. after this reas-
| surance. II am O thorough Virginian and
had her principles instilled into me by my
parents. / was born in Alexandra coun-
tv. about thirty miles from Mt. Vernon,
| and was educated in Virginia and after
wards in MARYLAND. I served during the
whole war-part of the time under Jack
con and then under Beauregard ana Johnc
ston. / was once within thirty miles Oh
| the latter part of the war was taken sick
and placed in the Quartermaster's Depart
Mr. Bangs referred in the most tender
terms TO the Lost Cause, audit was evident
| that he felt those same sad emotions when
every true southerner experienced when
Lee surrendered at Appomattox.
"How did you drift into the theatrical
profession 2" asked the reporter.
INTENDED FOB THE MINISTRY.
"Well.n said Mr.. Bangs, II was sent
North to study theology, but somehow
never had any taste for 1t. and after seeing
| the world went on the stage, commencing,
of course, on a small salary. by degrees
worked up TO my present position, and
| hone shall be able TO retain 1t"
When asked by the reporter regarding
the moral effects of the drama, MIR. Bangs
In many respects think its influence
surpasses that Of the pulpit. We appeal TO
all the sensibilities, and think good
drama always has its good effects on the
people. For instance, when l played the
'Sifyer King which, as you know, has
moral for drunkards. / had many people to
come to me and thank me for the good the
play bad done them. / know of one man
who completely reformed and afterwards
made a good and prominent citizen.
II love nv profession" continued Mr.:
Bangs. land always try to please and feel
an interest IN my Work.
Authoritative AUDIENCES HELP.
Don't you get tired of playing the same
piece over and over AGAIN." asked the re-
porter.
Well replied Mr. Bangs, "of course it
gets tiresome TO some extent, but we are
always trying 20 improve. and we are
helped out a great deal by appreclative
audiences"
Was the house which greeted you Mon
day night in this city a good oneT que
ried the reporter, Il know you are used to
q We were all delighted with it," said
Mr.. Bangs. Every member OF the troupe
was pleased. The audience seemed to take
hold of the play thoroughly and compre1i
hended all the finer points. They helped
us out great deal and showed plainly
their culture and refinement. While l
don't know whether / ought to say 1t,
being a member of the troupe, Mr.. Jefter
son remarked after the performance that
he had never seen finer production OF
THE Rivals"
JEFFERSON TENDER, GENTLE. AND KIND.
Perhaps no man admires Joe Jefferson
more than Mr.. Bangs. To the reporter he
said that Jefferson was one of the most
self-sacrifcing, tender. and lovable men
he had ever seen. He always looks after
the welfare of every member OF the troupe.
Mr.. Bangs added that Jeferson's genius
| rs an actor was wonderful, and said that
| had he not gone on the stage he would
have been one of the finest hterdters In
the country. Moreover he is painter In
oil. and his work is beautiful. II he cared
TO sell his productions they would bring
enormous prices.
GOES FISHING WITH GROVER.
"Besides all this" continued Mr.. Bangs,
"he is an expert in the piscatorial art, and
q great trout fisherman. He and ex-Presi-
dent Cleveland often go together
Mr. Bangs was not only generous ana
enthusiastic III his praises of Jefferson,
but of the whole troupe, who are all ex-
cellent. he said. While listening to these
kind remarks from Mr.. Bangs (Which are
| somewhat rare among professional men)
the reporter could not help thinking that
Jefferson, too. might say some very kind
things about Bangs, for there are few men
more cultivated and refined in their man.
ners and more entertaining in converse
ton than he.
NONE TO TAKE BooTH'5 PLACE.
When asked which Of the young TRACE
dams he thought would be the star OF
wears 10 come. Mr.. Bangs said that none Of
them would ill fireplace of Booth. There
are good. pleasing actors in abundance in
this country" said he, but / see none
who will take his place. All the members of
our profession agree in this. America GER
tainly has more good actors than England,
though
Referring to Lawrence Barrett, Mr..
Bangs said he thought the dead tragedian
was man of talent rather than genius,
who deserved great credit for bis energy
and study, as be had been conscientious
and unceasing student all his life.
TRANscYSDEST ABILITY WILL TELL.
do you think that in the ups and
downs of an actors life the man who
possesses the real ability will always come
to the front?" asked the reporter.
"While we have our cares and our joys"
said Mr.. Bangs, Il think transcendent
ability is bound to make itself known I'M
der any circumstances. You have heard
the quotation truth crushed to earth
will rise again. and II is very much the
samo way in case of an actors merits.
Sometimes an actor is borne to tho skies
by applause, and this they never tire OF.
and then again they are completely frozen
by unappreeiativA audiences.
HIS APPEARANCE AND HIS PIPE.
Mr.. Bangs appears to be somewhere up IN
the fifties and is rather bald. He is ex-
- Lox roexfttor