The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-24
Stories OF ACTORS
OFTEN sElxED WITH srAGE
TRIGHr BEFORE THE CURTAIN.
Comedian Francis wilson's Famous
RcpIy-Oscar wildc's Paradoxes
Local Play Bills.

cause they feel it is not themselves. but
the character TREY are personating that
engages the attention of the house. But
call one Of them before the curtain to make
a speech, drag them from where they have
had their heads buried in the sand, as 1t
were, and the average actor is ready to
wilt IN his boots. Perhaps there is a no
moro difisdent man on the stage than Fran
els Wilson, at whose antics Indianapolis
theater-goers have had many laughs the
past few days. 1t is almost impossible to
pull Francis Wilson before the curtain. and
he is said TO be just as shy in society. There
Is an amusing story told of Mr.. Wilson
that illustrates more his love of fun than
his desire to be entertaining. Mrs. Anna
DeKoven, wife of the composer. had long
been DESTROYS of meeting and knowing Mr..
Wilson. Finally. at impromptu function,
this acute woman found herself face to face
with the comedian. She found converse ton
very difficult, however, principally owing
to the backward disposition of the little
man with the funny nose, and, in an effort
to draw him out, spoke to him of his fam
lily. inquiring the number Of his children.
IT have two thank you" he replied, and,
not to be outdone in graciousness. put a
similar query to Mrs. DeKoven.
The composers wife smiled and ex-
claimed: ION, / have three. thank you.
Mr.. WILSON,
In absent-rninded drollery Mr.. Wilson is
said to have replied: .Ah, don't mention
It, Mrs. DeKoven. I'm sure you're under
no obligations to me-"
Thus uncopsciously the comic opera sing
err was delivered OF distinct fin de steele
bon mot which he could not have thought
of in a week IL standing before the curtain
and addressing an audience.
1t is not often that an Indianapolis audi
ence has the pleasure of hearing an actor
talk with his mouth just like sure enough
flesh and blood citizens. Sol Smith Russell
takes occasion to come in front of the cur
tain and get familiar with the audience
when from the prompter's box he observes
sas % Is 81 e s the ana
Richard Mansfield.
But as rule actors are not speech-mak-
ers, and some of their peculiarities were
well outlined by New York critic recently.
The very people who are always easy and
Eeif-possessed 50 long as the curtain re-
mains up and the footlights interpose be-
tween them and their auditors become con-
fused. nervous. and often positively awk-
ward whenever they have to appear in front
Of the curtain and talk to the audience in
Il don't know why 1t is" said a we'll
known actor the other day. In trying to
oaxss Of the sudden and complete change
OF attitude toward the audience. On the
stage we have our lines committed to MEM
DRY. The mental exertion OF recalling them
and Of doing the rehearsal business keeps
pur minds on the fact that there are a
When we are Called before the Curtain ~ we
are for the first time face to face with our
eudienes; Ergo: we get nervous and EN-, !.
Sufselves."'
There are. few actors. however. who
make ma r really GOOD flo, footlsnt speech With
t. Richard Mansfieid lis is one of them. 0 He
p always ready to make q speech, and he
Mr.. Mansheld's speeches are not often
however. the stereotyped phrases of att
selves When he comes before the curtain
he has something to say besides II thank
yeu." and he says It without fear or favor
always self-possessed. and the popularity
Of MS elocution seems to add not little
Comedian William HI. Crane is smother
Mr. Mansieid but he talks clearly r and cas- IS
tain are prepared In anticipation of the
event. and he commits them to memory as
John Drew's speeches are more upon the
honey sweet with gratitude and flattery. He
freely applauded, but they are not speeches
which one. remembers the next day Al
though II is not absolutely necessary Mr..
Drew usually prepares and commits his
entr'acte efforts.
speak. but ne very much prefers to give a
comic recitation, and, without in the least
disparaging his ability as a speaker. his
stories.
Henry Irving probably makes the best
hsvo seen IN this Country. He does NOT not
use notes. though Il is likely he does not
original as Sr ho als not anay
much ease. Those. we, have heard in New
gratitude and promises for the future, high
" conventional in character. but well
spoken. Miss Terry does nothing but bow
Mr. Willard makes very good speech
spsa Mr 6rsg bnt WITH tar eoea ea E
possession. His wife talks. better in the
newspapers than she does from the stage.
Very few of our American actresses at
tempt much. in the way OF speechmaking.
Miss Rehan never. Della Fox had her s first hrsa
chance this fall. and scored an unbounded
success tnougn t was her pretty tSn appear;
the audience, as well as the very. graceful
way in which she opened the Interchange
OF mutual admiration between the rival
comic opera stars, which was the talk OF
Broadway for several weeks. Marie Jansen
but In most eases demonstrative audiences
have 70 be g+tished. with graceful bow
and u few vicarious kisses waited from the
stage with both hands when the popular
actress il called out.
The song birds of the Opera House tried
their hands at speechmaking only once last
the season. Most of them spoke In French
though Nine. Games and Nine. Nordica
made pretty little speeches. which theil
countrymen cheered wildly. Calves speech
and that of Jean de Reszke were both
short and to the point. and none of the
efforts were nf Z character to demand as
siduous preparation beforehand caus,
much nervousness during their delivery.
III Oscar Wilde could stand before an au-
dlencc and "chin off, as much wit as he
puts In five-rninute dialogue he would be
regarded the greatest of satirists Here ar,
few smart paradoxes from his "An Idea
Husband" just brought out in London:
II always pass good advice on. 1t is thu
only thing to do with it
Women have wonderful instinct abou
things. They can discover anything excep
the obvious"
Life is never fair, Robert. But perhap,
II Is a gooc thing for the most of us tina
It Is not
The sum Baron Arnheim gave me hav,
given away. twice over in public charities
since then"
Dear me-; What a lot of harm you mus
have done, Robert.
az usually saw what l Think