The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-06-02

HAUNTS or LONDON AcTORS-I.

a Splendid Tribute TO the GentiIity and
Maniiness of British Aotors-Tbeir Lon
don Homo Life and Haunts at Famous
Clubs Charmingiy Depicted.
Copyright. 1902. by Edgar L. Wakcman.l
LONDON, May 9.-In nearly every great
American city we have some particular
locality constantly frequented during GER
tain hours Of the day by actors great and
small The casual passer fingers curiously
within the region. Even one least accus-
toned 90 striking city phases is instantly
impressed with the unusual character Of
the neighhorhood and with the manners
and dress Of its frequenters.
Our American "Rialtos" are more
marked in concentration and character
than those Of European cities. This is
particularly true in New York. In Lon
don, where are the baunts Of probably
more actors than exis: in any other four
or five Of the greatest cities, there j. no
spot which exactly corresponds with the
American actors "RialtO," except one.
That one is the greatest resort in the
vofId for music hall performers. IL is
Just across the Waterloo Bridge from the
Strand, on the Surrey Side Of London, is
called in local parlance Poverty juno
ton" and Of this locality and It's odd fire.
quenters | shall speak at length IN my
next letter.
But between these folk, who are called
"prossers" or pros" in the vernacular, and
the actors Of London there Is an ever i'm
passable gulf Here the actor not only
scorns the pros" as he would tramp
and will have none Of him as a companion
but he will drink no liquor, eat no food
transact no business and frequent no thor
oughfare or haunt where the pros" is per
mitted 10 come
There are reasons for this close drawing
Of professional lines An important one is
found in the fact that for a very long time
London theatrical managers have sustained
an absolute monopoly Of all dramatic per
formances. BY law the prOprie;Ors Of
music halls are forbidden TO present any
exhibition OF dramatic nature. Their
compensation is in being permitted to sell
nil manner Of liquors 10y hands Of bewitch-
ing barmaids, Of itself a great source Of
attraction and profit TO the Legitimate"
dramatic performer any one who has APP
peared in 'the alls. from his standpoint
OF ethics, can by no possibility ever become
@ genuine actor or attain to his social stand
ing
On the other hand you will seldom find
Oil English Irish or Scottish actor who is
not a gentleman born and bred ! do not
mean that he is always Of the so called
British gentry stock.
But do mean that the stock from which
he has sprung is usually Of the best quail
lty; that be has had the advantage Of be-
Ing well bred; has been given excellent
home and school, and very often university
training; that be is a reader, student
aud traveller; and that the best regime
and athletic sports have done for him,
physically, what his education has done
for him mentally, and his unavoidable cul-
ture, off and on the stage, has done for
both his ethics and his manners
This is universal rather than exception
al lie is therefore justly proud of his 70
cation. Such names as those of Shake
speare. Kemble, Garrick, Macready and
Mathews furnish endless pique and spur
TO his ambition. His excellent social status
httiN MN III tUhAi WIN Att DtnN idth'A
than the undesirable elements. lie is well
paid and certain Of employment if he has
ability and experience and if he possesses
only the former, with some learning be
hind it, his period Of apprenticeship is one
of fair opportunity and considerate treat
ment.
These changeless conditions naturally
give London actors as a class but two
places that may be regarded as their real
haunts-ther homes and their clubs. The
first of these may seem 70 Americans an
odd sort of actors retreat. For though we
have many among US who possess genuine
homes, and it is a good sign that their
number is increasing there are too few
actors who possess or seek home. II is
different in London and / think there is
nothing on earth achievable in which a
London actor takes such manful and ex-
ultant pride
They are seldom grand affairs. 1t is
their great number and their sweet and
good homeliness which make them re-
markable. The eXigencies Of provincial
professional travel and frequent American
tours often render their continuous occu-
pancy impossible. Frequently the hus-
band goes in one direction and the wife, if
she be an actress, in another But the
abiding place is Mecca TO both, and there
Is always some one TO hold the belongings
together and train the little ones against
the home coming.
The English actor has a grand adherence
Of a big and snowy home. The little home
little and snug and cheery-is his from
choice He hides himself in IL, and is often
almost ludicrOus in his shifts TO avoid
knowledge Of its coming TO only sworn
friends. This occasionally goes so far that
aliases are assumed, that he may better
protect himself from intrusion and espion-
age
In this mite of a home he is as happy a
man as there is in all the world He can
reach out 10 and know It's metos and bound
aries. 1t is usually and more honor TO
him for it, in permanent and delightful
hullabalOO from the presence Of many
roistering and gladstone children it Is
full of strange and outrageous pets. 1t Is
buried in vines, all but the windows, and
within il is a plethoric conservatory of
plants and flowers. There are many and
the best books, not hidden in snowy cases
but within hand reach in every nook and
corner Bits Of art work and dainty trifes
but most of them this family'S handwOrk
orderless but interesting, abound. There
IL d harp, either, guitar, violin or
not melancholy flute, and melody and
sonp of the homemade kind seem TO break
loose here rather than come at the cue"
and To order