The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-04-09

often respectfully, out Of the same original
depths, aud along the same vIcissitous road.
The only time when dramatic actor ana
"pros" ever meet is at tho annual Christ
mas plays and pantomines. Then the
pros" Is in demand ab the theaters TO do
specialttes. The lofty scorn and the airy
defiance between actor and "pros" is then
something wonderful to behold.
Whats that's" is the contemptuous query
OK one actor to another as a ''pros" is espied
In the stage wings at Christmas time, wait
ing to do bis "turn" as his act or specially
is called.
30. its only thing from the 'alls 1.-THE
music halls; )" his companion will as wither-
, ingly answer.
''Gor bli me p retorts the "pros" with an
J airy snort at his prosecutor, init cawnt be
hits on the sta-ige they wouldn't ave sech
| bloomIn hobjects in the 'alls!"
In America there is considerable friendly
conmingling of actors and variety per
formers. This makes possible the 'Rialtos"
OF our larger cities, which are really noted
as haunts Of all manner of stage folk. and
which are the resort ct certain hours OF
every day Of all theatrical people The
casual passer fingers curOusly within the
region. Even one least accustomed to
striking city phases is Instantly impressed
with the unusual character Of the neiRhbor-
hood and with the manner and dress of its
freQuenters.
But between London actors and London
music hall performers tine gulf Is impassa-
bic. The London actor is a gentleman bred
and born. He has been given the best Of
home and school, often OF university train
ing. he is u student; frequently traveller.
his culture has been per,istent, sequential
and unavoidable. And his excellent social
status keeps him permanently | touch
with the best rather than the undesirable
elements.
The "pros" being the product Of an en-
tirely different set of conditions and envi-
ronmenb, is necessarily the endlsSsly inn
pinGing element be is believed by the
gentleman actor and gentleman vocalist TO
60 be ever on the alert TO reach his station !;
push into his place; secure his honor and
emoluments; just as the bootblacks, butcher
boys and newsboys of great cities, with
special gifts and dauntless energy surpass
trained business men, and at last, with pres
tiRe and wealth, force the barred doors of
aristocratic society. Therefore the London
actor scorns the London pros" as he would
tramp. Not only will he have none OF
him as u companion, but he will drink no
liquor, eat no food, transact no business
and frequent no haunt or thoroughfare
where the latter is permitted TO come.
These observations have marked illustrR-
ton in the close lines dra En in the daily
hauuts OF the two classes. The actors
chiefly retire behind the inviolab!e protec-
ton OF their clubs like the Garrick, the
Green Room, Savage. Arundel, Lyric and
| BeefEteak Clubs and their coy suburban
homes of which they are inordiuately fond
and proud. Should they occasionally stroll
from one city resort TO another, they would
be found at noted places like the
Wellington, Darms5atter's and perhaps
RomanO's and Gattl's, known in local par
lance as LA Gorgouzois;n but would retire
permanently from the profession" before
they would be seen at Miss Barnes, for
mer barmaid of the Criterion bar, or at the
Gaiety bar which is christened "Prossers
avenue
So, for many years, indeed for greater
part Of the present century, these ostracised
music hall performers have gradually
merged CAelr business and social interests IN
in one large and interesting resort, known
by theatrical people throughout the world
as London Poverty Junction" No one
knows how long it has been Poverty
Junction This it now Is aud will ever re-
main. 1t IS outside the old city borough,
aud the actors are glad of it. IL you we're
wandering in the Strand and came to q
region along by Waterloo bridge approach
OF old book stores, your haunting Of these
scenes would lead you almost to the bridge
itself Then the Thames and its picturesque
scenes would bring you upon the great
| structure; and your vngrant fancy, playing
about the sunny lavender fields Of Surrey
and the hop-felds oe fruitful Kent, would
lead you southwark to 5he Surrey side of
| London. Should it happen TO be of a Mon
day morning about IL o'clock, you would
have scarcely passed the Surrey approach
to the bridge when, at the corner Of York
! and Waterloo roads-esch a great city
street-you will have come upon as curious
a scene and study as may be found by
| travel 10 any land.
In olden times this was a region OF resort
for the rudy farmers of Surrey and Kent;
OF yards where wagons, carts, and divers
belongings Of the farm were pioturesquely
! bestowed before 4 during OF after Coveut
| Garden market hours: of rough shops which
| dealt in goods to the liking OF the yeomAury;
and of quaint old inns and public houses
where all the long day and throughout the
| night were the hustle and catter of incom-
| ing and departing coaches, and where still
| fingers q perennial flavor of brave drinking,
hearty eating, and rough but unotious good
/ cheer.
But one OF these ancient inns remains.
This is the York tavern. While prim, new
| public houses have crowed close, seeking to
lessen Its prestige and divert its patronage,
1t is still, as Of old, the center of all the busy
! scene. At both sides Of each intersecting
street, and reaching for more than square
away, are single and double rows Of han
| SONS, dOg-csrts and broughams. Many OF
the latter have liYeried coachmen and foot
men. They are the equipages OF the rich
music hall managers, bejeweled and foxy
! Ll5&bflChL agents WHO COQLrDl the BOOKING
of all music hell and variety engagements,
and Of those favorites among performers,
like Cherwin, Leno, Godfrey, Colburn,
Beauchamp, Chevaiier, Bessie Bonehill and
Jennie Hill, whose specialties and popularity
command earnings Of from $40 to ESQ per
week.
Between these and the street fscades, and
quite often extending into the MIDDLE Of
Tork and Waterloo roads, will be gathered
on any pleasant Monday morning from /, 900
to 5000 music hall ana variety "prossers Z"
A special detail of police is always required
20 keep passage ways open to other pedes-
TRANS. OF all this strange medley Of folk
perhaps not more than one half will belong
IN London. Among the remainder Will be
found every manner Of variety performer
and eccentric specialist' from every laud
beneath the sun.
Hundreds OF variety performers, good
and bad, from America are here. COWBOY
and pugllistic ''actorsn are here. Provin-
clal talent, down at the heels but clipper,
CHEEKY and hopeful, is here seeking engage
ment. The Strong Man of Patagonia
meanders past you, arm in arm with
the Boneless Contortionist bin.
doc jugglers are engaged in rail
lery with the gentle Esquimaux dwarf
! who recently sadly hoodooed the American
religious world. Algerian, Egyptian and
! Persian snake cbarmers. sword sWaliuWAra