Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-11
WAYS OF ACTRESSES.
How They While Away Their Sum.
mer Vacations.
INITIATING STAGE MANNERS.
Revival Of the Circus Ring in the Drama
Wanted, an Emotional Actress Who Can
Turn Flip Flaps-The Chorus Girl and Her
shoemaking Husband.


New YORK, July II. 1891.
DO you know an accomplished dramatic
actress who can turn Aip-Baps on bare
backed horse? II you do, tell her that she
may hire herself out for next season at $500
week by applying to Joseph Jefferson.
IL isn't likely that such a blend of histrionic
and acrobatic ability exists. There is going to
he revival OF the circus ring on the theatrical
stage next autumn. Comedian Jefferson is
credited with starting it, although it is his
son Charles who figures the capitalist
and promoter. They are getting up New
England rural drama. one act in which is to
consist of old-fashoned country circus
complete Already preparations are being
maize TO put ont several similar entertainments
inc ldea Is not new. In the palmy days of the
Old Bowery Theater it WIS not infrequenty
that an hour of circus included in even
lngs bill. The scenery set back, Sec
| uonal ring was put down. layer of sawdust
was land and, whoop Ii ! there you were.
| Once We had curious bit of trouble with
the circus part of the program, said an old
actor, who had been Il stage manager AT the
time in question. Edwin Forrest playing
| IA week engagement with US. Saturday night
came, and with 1t the regular necessity for an
elongated entertainment. Forrest had changed
MS tragedy every evening. usual and after
each of them farce by members of the stock
company had completed the bill; but
the Bowesyises in those days demanded
| more Than that on a Saturday night
Other tragedians-such as Eddy, Ham
pm anu Scott--were accustomed to follow
| tnclr dlgnltied roles with the acting of 4
iarclcai or mimetic character, like Jerry Clip
III ihe Stage-struck Barber" But Forrest
woudn do that. and so we had to provide
something spec al to make our Saturday night
last until past midnight. His tragedy for the
| occasion was the Gladiator with his
iamousiy robustious imperoonation of Sparta
Gus IN the arena. Well. it happened
| that for the ensuing week we were to
have circus on the stage, and so we de-
| clded to utilize it for this Saturday nights
Offering. When Forrest saw the printed pro
gram, just before he was to go on the stage as
| SpUtdcus, he roared with anger like a mad
pun. He had been an athlete in a circus early
III his professional career. you know. and he
iancled that our circus. on the same stage with
his tragedy. would be a beitting reminder to
the audience OF his own career i'll the sawdust
ring.
| OBJECTED TO THE CIRCUS.
"'What, he said. my arena scene in The
Gladiator and right after it q circus ring! No.
l will not act tonight
| william Freleigh was the manager. He TN
hesltatingIy said TO me that the circus must be
omitted. and then the tragedy proceeded, after
which, and during the farce, the great actor
| went away"
And how did the audience stand the disap-
pointment?" asked Of the narrator OF this ufl-
published anecdote.
''Oh. there wasn't any disappointment" was
the reply. '.Freeigh said to me in Forests
presence: After the farce you so in front of
| the curtain and announce that owing to some
unforeseen accident the circus cannot be given
| lhen he wlnked profoundly Al. me. behind
Forests back, and quilted the theater with
| the tragedinn. or course disobeyed and the
circus filled its appointed hour"
HOPELESS CONVERSATION.
! To return to the revival OF the circus in
drama and the hopeless demand for a COM
| bined emotional actress and bareback eaues-
trienne. The problem in composing the play
Is how to introduce the circus performance
! without breaking the dr. mntic interest The
personaSes of the play will be displeased, nee
esssrily. by the acrobats. and he audience will
! forget all about the story of the piece when il
obllteratcs itself in the sawdust Of the
ring. Now, the heroine of the Jefferson
| drama Is to be village girl who
| elopes and afterward returns as the star
| equestrienne in a circus. But she is to do no
| riding more than to enter in a side-sadde
| Now, If only she were capable of standing on
the bare back OF a galloping steed. with ore
| foot at o'clock. the other lifted to high noon
and occasionally making fp-fap revo ution
clear around the dial, the drama tic interest
would be continuous. Where is the versatile
actress!
| CHAMPAGNE AFTER THE PERFORMANCE.
| There is some particular baue of every opo'a
| I;fs Ono Of tho bos, L,., ...-o... ~
~ INV" "o'feSses III the
country has must Irritating Dane depressing
| her.
81 always eat supper after performance"
| saws this lady and am nsuaiIv son,a go
guest. like snppers and it is quite gratifying
10 always be asked ont by gentlemen and ladies
shiG =, al 10 M al table win me.
| thing. Invariably when | 90 RI snn IN
with any person that person nj
once orders champagne. / suppose there
Is a universal belief in this world that an
| actress would disdain to sit down at table if
| champagne is not served Therefore am not
even asked if I want it. They will consult me
about my appetite for edibles, but thew are
perfectly sure what my thirst Graves. and in
stantly that saw l would like a bird or ner.
| haps soft-shel crabs, they give the order and
tack on a request for wine. Now I snnnose
I'm q little fool, and ought to sreak out
| and tell them don't care Tor cbamnapne Int
| | know they would anv of them ha sboclod
and usually the place is 40 yerv swelI tha;
it seems as though il was ernectad that nban,
| pagne went with the SINNER So 7 drirL M,
wine. or sin at IL and alwars b,ya ny
tie headache afterward Now do nav" vo,, = Ut NJ
! what I want To drink with M s,;,o INV
what 7 do drink when eat oinnaS anu
nlain ordinary delicions bee~ Y.0; Deer.
i