Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-07-10
Staid Tragedians Are Much
Like Other Men.
EVEN INCLINED TO Be JEALOUS
Booth, Gentle and MODEST, While Bat
rest Was Dignlhsc-ksene. Warce
and James Are Merry and Gay.

the varied pursuits OF Ire. let
the actor 10 AZ all times conspicuous to
the curious. There have been ocea-
Eons when the irrepresslole newspaper
mAn has even intruded his boudolr
and given 10 the world a descr p
ton OF MS wardrobe, has told
how lie goes about ms toilet, touched
upon the trills upon his night dress and
observed his diet % the minutest de-
tai. Such Intrusion Is not only annoy
ing but mortlfylng 10 the majority
OF our celebrated PLAYERS, who claim as
much right TO secrecy, peace and sec!e-
SION IN their home lie as do men OF
other avocatlons. lt has been the PRIV
lege Of the writer TO meet many men
aud women of the stage. They are
sensible rauonable, beings and there Is
nothing IN their manner TO identity
them with their professionalism cease
to act when they leave the stage door.
There are others. however, VINO, IL yon
are known 10 them as a newspaper rep
resentauve, will put on more agony
than they ever did behind the foot
lights. The noted players, the TRACE
and unassuming.
Booth Neither Morbid Nor Melancholy.
Everybody who has heard OF the
stage knows OF the name OF Edwin
Booth. To many his name arouse feel
! lngs of awe. He IS imagined TO be a
| morbid, grutf and melancholy man,
VINO is much engrossed with himself
and supposed to be AT All times theatre
| in his manner and bearing. 1t Is
thought that he Is greatly imbued with
| the spirit and disposition OF some OF
| the fierce tragic characters IN MS roper
| tory. This impression mas prevailed on
| account OF the traditions of the elder
| Booth. Many of his eccentrcities have
| been related of his sou, for instance,
| the story that Booth was SO carried
away with the part Of Richard III that
| there were were few actors who were
| willing To play Richmond, for fear that
| they would be stabbed III the fencing
| bout on Boswortn field. The fact Is
| that one night, when considerably tlled
| with the ardent, the elder Booth gave a
| very imprisoned performances OF Rich
| ard and actually thrust his sword IN
| the breast of the actor who played
| Richmond.
In meeting Edwin Booth one is 40
struck with his modesty and gentle
! ness that it is naturally wondered how
he can find the courage to present HIM
self before a theater full Of people.
He will not talk "shop" with you, and
| If you attempt 1t he will devise some
| excuse for bringing the interview 10 q
| close. In fact you will get better &C.
| quainted with and find out more about
actors If you refrain from talking
about the theater entirely. In first
meeting Mr.. Booth 1t WAS after a per.
Torrance, and.he was at the railway
station surrounded by his company
waiting for midnight train. He
| joked and talked pleasantly with the
young players, told a few stories and
commented on commonplace things
He disclosed none of the princely at
| tributes OF Hamlet, and there was alb
! solutely nothing that would sugges
the dignlfied mien of Brutus. He wa
the most modest, unassumlng man II
the company, and seemed To address
the young man who was entrusted
with the juveniles as a fellow or grea
importance.
His Difference at Rehearsal.
On another occasion 1t was my op
portunity to meet him at rehearsal OF
the stage of the Chicago opera house
He did not seem to be q severe task
master. He eat IN the front OF tn,
stage in big easy chair and watched
the players and supers go through tn,
motions. rarely causing an interruption
or making a suggestion. He showed
that Difference 10 bis stage manager, a
to always ask him for his opinion whel
he arose and took his position IN pic
ture or situation that was being formed
When the rehearsal was ended. he ap
preached the supers who were student
IN q dramatic school, complimentet
them and said, 81 thank you; gooS
morning ladies and gentlemen" Wei
might many players initiate America
greatest actor, IN manners at least
No man. who IS great could az
pear less conscious of 1t than does MI
Booth.
Barrett Was Learned and Courtiy.
In meeting the late Lawrence Bar
rett, one was at once impressed wit
his nervous energy. His mind wa
constantly working. He had no tim
for social frivolity of any sort. If any
J body could be of any value to mir
he readily gave them consideration
He was completely wrapped up wit
himself and bis work, when of of tn
stage. His manners were courtly an
dignified. No matter what player
may have said about his being arro
giant and overbesring, il was becaus
be constantly thought of business, wa
over-earnest in his work aud had n
mind for idleness. Ia fact, he one
said that ne did not want TO meet pee
4 -
whose acquaintance could be of n
benefit to him intellectually. In hi
room at the Morton some five year
ago, ne Was talking about "Francisc
) de Rlmini," and II would have done
loyal heart good 70 have heard hot
enthusiastically and periodically b
paid tribute to the American autho
OF this tragedy, the late George II
, Baker. Mr.. Barrett impressed one as b
ing deeply learned man, and thong
there was almost . military precislo
in bic dignity, this was soon lost IN th
charm IT his conversation which vs.
brilliant and entertaining. Woe 10 tn
intruder who sought him out merel
through curiosity W see an actor.
ke~s. Merry Nsmas.
" Thomas w. Keene IL q tra9edia
while on the stage his Inca and ca
Tisge IN private iife stamp him az
coined an. lie j. az merry a Nome
az Que cares - meet lie j. chief
known "a q 'sgyeT" anu every on
who meets hinl wlll b. more or less sul
lect % hs harmless zeal ia tnis gifts
Ton. without doubt one OF the mos
versatile actors on TIRE stage, he Ike
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