Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-02-27
SADIE NARTINOT.


self right, for II had risen from the very
lowly surroundings which have been at
tributed to me should feel like taking
more credit for my humble achievements
In the dramatic world than now feel is
my Just due.
I have been asked for my opinion as TO
the best possible training for a woman who
Wishes to become N nearly as possible a
perfect actress. This can be disposed of in
few words, "Play as wide a range OF parts
as you can" This Is not a mere theory
with me. / have practiced it faithfully
and intend to adhere TO this policy until
give up the stage or II gives me up.
When was II, was in a convent school,
but had longing for the stage. My par
ents, after attempting to dissuade me from
my purpose to become an actress, finally
gave their consent, and / sailed forth In
search of an engagement First went TO
see A. NJ Palmer, who then had the Union
Square thsater, New York. He gave me
the stereotyped managerial promise, and
left, determined to aim a little lower. Josh
Hart, who had the old Eagle, now the
Standard thsatsr, gave me more encourage
msnt and finally an engagement at the co
losssl salary of e5 week as an extra lady"
was satisfied, for I had at least made a
start.
On the second Saturday night after my
debut Mauds Branscombe, our star, was
taken i'll, and as her clothes happened to
fit me was permitted to do her part This
was on Sept Z. 1875. My work must have
pleased the management somewhat, for
thereafter / was permitted to play small
parts, although my weekly salary remained
stationary at t5 with a psrsistsncy that
was aggravating, especially as was obliged
to furnish my own costumes.
Aimee was one of the stars at the Eagle
that season, and was in comic opera with
her nine weeks, and although ] had only
pnimportant roles considered myself very
fortunate The charming Frenchwoman
heard that had been giving the members
of the company limitations of her, and was
summoned TO her presence and ordered 10
do them all for her benefit. Then, instead
of the reproof which l expected, / received
words of encouragement for what she was
good enough 20 call my cleverness.
next played Cupid with Ada Richmond
In the burlesque "Chow Chow" | then
gave my limitations Of Aimee In public.
As her Pretty as Picture" was then the
rage, that imitation was received with con.
siderable favor. After an interval spent at
several Of the Boston theaters | became
q member of the Boston Museum stock
company a. walking lady. There had the
most valuable experience of my profession
al career, for I worked by slow stages
through all the grades up to the position Of
leading lady. played a wide range OF
parts there, embracing almost every phase
of theatricals.
remember now with much amusement
that when "Pinafore" was running | APP
NJ ti,,,a pnt
tercup. Hebe and Ralph Rackstraw. The
plays put on at the Museum while was
there included modern comedy, old come
dy, farce, mslodrama, Shakespeare, bur-
lesQus and comic opera, besides affording
me the opportunity TO support many Of the
prominent stars who visited the theater.
Among these were Dion Boucicault, Law
renee Barrett, Fanny Davenport, Charles
Coghlan, Frank Mayo and Sol Smith Rus
sell ,,
went TO England with Dion Boucicault
to play his heroines. He was taken Ill
there, however, and i secured an engage
ment at the Comedy theater, London, where
Iappeared AZ Katrina in the first produc-
tion anyW u Of Planquette's Rip Van
Wrinkle" the late Fred Leslie being Rip.
Boucicault III the meantime had returned
to America. Joined him, and we opened the
Star theater-then the Germania-in Vice
Versa" Of which "Gloriana" Is an offshoot.
Then we gave Boucicault's repertory on
tour.
was next engaged for John Stetson's
Confusion" company, In which rs cur
tain raiser We gave Distinguished For
eignes" Henry E. Dixey initiated Irving
and Terry. My next appearance was In
the leading role Of "Queena" at the Union
Square thsater, New York. This vas the
nrst time that | had experienced the de-
lightful sensation Of reading enthusiastic
praise Of my work In all the New York
papers, and my friends informed me that
had made really great hit Naturally |
believed them. II IL SO easy TO convince
oas's self that what one wishes Il true At
any rate, that was the means Of getting me
. contract with the Lyceum thester, which
wss then building. IL was not completed
until within seven weeks Of the close Of the
season, and ! must admit that my salary,
which was paid regularly, was very easily
earned.
I next brsnched out into comic opera.
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