The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-09
ABURLESQUE OF "TRILBY.'
Til, of an Actor Who Tried to Get II on
the 30 lrds.

An actor OF work asked AN acquaint-
auce not long ago 90 write a nuriesque
that should include several chafaflei
from '"rrilby." When the work was done
TO the actors satisfaction and De had OBJ
tanned the support OF an actress not alto
gcthcr unknown TO the boards anu an
actor of somewhat less fame, NE set out
20 make the rounds OF the variety mana
gers. These men are difficult 90 get at
They surround themselves with paid ai-
tendants whose duty 10 is 20 Keep OF
bOres. especially actors and dramatic
writers. The actor disscmDlt1 ana ODD
tanned access to a cynical man whose
name is great among music nan mana
gers.
haps YOU and your partners coulh 40 lt
i'm good Style said the manager IN cI-c
but YOU see we never ran burlesques eA-
cept for the purpose or showing iue girls
and living pictures DO that so much net-
ter that We have given up Durlesqucs al
together"
Ihc next manager had enough new
things stacked up 20 last until next al-
tumn. and the object OF this hurlesque
was 10 enable three estlmable persons
to live through the summer and lOui DO
to obtain a modest share OF the prohts.
The variety manager, reputei the most
hospitable 10 new dramatic ventures. re-
burned muh the Nsame answer. ihei
there was found "A manager VINO listened
with exemplary patience 10 what the actor
said and answered:
pie that read 'Trilby' Now, II YOU
said Ships that Pass In the Night there
might have been a chance, for that sells
on street barrOws."
Then IL was explained 10 the manager
that "Trllby" was brought within the
reach of the poorest theatreeOers by cir
culating Libraries all over town that lend
the book for tritie 10 thousands who ma
its French lncomprehensible, and that
anyhow the hurlesque had little or moth
ing 10 do with "rrilby.' but concerned
itself mainly with saying humorous things
about Tom Platt DR.. Parkhurst; Insect
O'COnnOr BrOher Talmage. and other
celebrities. Upon learning this the mana
ger said he would hear the burlesque re-
harsed al II O'Clock on the following Tues
day. He placed a record OF the appoint
ment on a file along with nearly 100 ap-
plicatiOns for like hearings In the same
week and the actor came out elated
through a crowd Of twenty men waiting
TO approach the manager on similar sub
jects. Not only 10 have escaped without
suffering personal violence. but actually
10 have obtained the promise OF hearing
was a triumph almost equivalent TO sue
cessful production before an audience
But just az this point the actor that was
10 take the part Of SVengah was suddenly
seized with qualms as 70 playing IN var
iety theatre.
"Afy reputation" he whispered at
would damage my reputation in the legi-
So II became necessary TO find another
actor for the part. Now. New York Is
fun Of variety actors and others just AT
this time idle and with the prospect OF
whole summers idleness. but the agent
10 which the originator Of the scheme APP
piled was discouraging and mysterious.
Ii is the way Of such agents 10 keep apart
employer ard employed. and TO conceal
the address OF the one from the other
all this because the agent viii take no
chance OF losing the commission upon
successful arrangement There were
plenty of actors on the street. but the
man in charge OF the 'Trilby' burlesque
knew too well his own world 10 apply 20
any OF them. An idle actor with the
slightest claim 70 reputation has q SUI
perstitous belief In the professional
necessity. OF sticking 10 his price. though
he so without his dinner and the man In
charge knew too we'll what three persons
In an improved speciality could expect
from Q manager. So he went 10 another