The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-21
GL1MpsEs OF THE STAGE.

There are actresses and actresses. Not q few
kick themselves into popularity, others become
notorious through the columns OF the press py
reason of escapades innumerable, halr-preaotn
escapes galore, and in other ways that nave
come to be considered legitimate. In fact, II
matters little the means employed, SO long aS
they can accomplish the one end OF keeping
themselves constantly within the vision OF the
play going public.
Separate and distinct from these two classes
comes a third that holds itself in public esteem
by virtue of genuine merit, backed up Wy
artistic talent The word "artistic' is used ao-
visedly, because there is lot OF cleverness
floating around on the stage that is Thoroughly
lacking in finish or polish. To that class OF act
resses, therefore, VINO by merit and talent nave
gained place in the hearts of the pubic can
yery properly be placed that delightful little
child-woman souprette, Miss Helen Henry,
who for nearly nine years has been before the
San Francisco public. Commencing in JuVenlle
parts she has gradually earned Tor hefseH d
reputation built upon hard, conscientious an q
faithful work that has not yet been attained py
many older in years and OF more varied stage
experience. Miss Henry is bright, entertain
ing and witty conversationalist, a graduate OF
the Horace Mann Grammar School, and is de-
cidedly proud of the distinction that goes with
being EMISSION" girl. In the following letter
and in her own way she tells something OF her
stage life that will interest the theater-going
public:
1 may be able to do soubrette parts to the
entire satisfaction of Mr.. MorOsco and his
patrons, but greatly doubt my ability to write
letter for the public gaze that will intelll-
gently express all that might interest them SO
far as my professional career is concerned.
However, will do the best I can, only stop
ping long enough 10 again remind the public
hot T nd mo q
l was born in San Francisco eighteen years
ago last month, my father being Baptist
minister. About nine years ago my mother
and were stopping at private hotel in San
Francisco and there l CHANGED to meet Louis
Morrison, since grown famous through his
characterization of Faust. Mr.. Morrison
needed child to take the part of Adri-
enne in "A Celebrated Case and my
mother finally agreed that might attempt 1t,
though it was to be only temporary arrange
ment. Up to that time l had never even
thought of the stage in any way except as
something dreadful, for my whole life was Gen.
tered in the church
went to San Jose with Mr.. Morrison, and
that was my first appearance on the stage. /
then returned to San francisco, playing for
two weeks at the California in Her Tourna-
ment," with Kate Claxton as leading lady. For
the next two years played at the Alcazar
doing Juvenile parts in all sorts OF lurid melo-
dramas and light comedies.
After this engagement 1 rested for nearly 8
year, though played short engagement with
Mrs. Kendall in the "White Lie" and made a
brief trip to the south with Rose Coghlan.
My next regular engagement was with Will
son Barrett and with him made an extended
tour OF the East. If l may be pardoned for say
ing it, made quite reputation on that trip.
Feeling then that my education needed atten-
ton, left off all theatrical work for a long
period, finally graduating from the Horace
Mann School last summer.
Mr.. Moroseo then offered me an engagement
and have played there ever since. The San
Francisco people have been very kind to me in
the way of generous applause, which of course
leads me to think that 1 have not entirely
worked in vain Like every true-hearted act
tress am much in love with my profession,
and certainly always do my best to please.
OF course l am yet long way from the top
round, but ii hard, conscientious work ayails
anything, 1 hope some day to reach that plane
in our profession commonly described as "a
ucnessb