The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-14


QUITO this country has ever seen and one
of tho very best Macbeths has none of tho
Alterations assumed by many Of the latter
day one-part actorettes, and he mado no
effort to conceal his pleasure at the oppor-
tunity given him to say something about
an episode which he declares can never be
blotted from his memory. In Mr. Levick's
own words the story of Mary Anderson's
beginning on the stage was ms follows:
1T was in 1876 that some persons who
were good enough to consider me a pretty
fair actor thought that, as patriotism was
In the air, owing to the fact that it was
centennial year, it might pay to take adj
vantage of the supposed popular feeling by
starring me in play dramntized from
Coopcrs celebrated novel, The Spy 1t
was argued that everybody would flock to
the thcater to SEQ play so essentially
American. Thoro was no chance of fail
urc, and every one connected with tho en-
terprise was congratulated upon his or her
good fortune. Well, 1 started out, and
strange as 1t may appear. the people did
not flock to SEQ mo in The Spy got
to MacAuley's theater. in Louisville and
Tho Spy was done again. We opened TO
miserable house on Monday night, which
was much worse Tuesday, still worse
Wednesday and rs nearly as possible zero
Thursday. cannot begin to tell you how
bad the business really was. The prospect
of my getting back to New York by tho
following Monday evening to take an on
gagoment which had been offered mo at
Booth theater began to grow exceedingly
dim, and won't to MacAuloy to ask what
was to DO done. That good naturcd giant,
who was dear friend of mine, promptly
informed mo that he would see that was
provided with transportation to New
York, and then he said, Let me think
and ho did think for long time At last
no looked up with an inspiration. Il have
1t, he exclaimed. There is girl about
IL years of age in this city, who is we'll
connected socially and q general fayorite.
She is stagestruck and has insisted upon
having several of the most prominent stars
who have visited my theater hear her read,
among Them John Mccullough She is
constantly studying and rchearsing by
herself, and know that she is up in
'.Romco and Juliet am of tho opinion
that If we could put her on in that piece
on Saturday night we could make some
money
Has she ever acted?' I asked.
Never to my knowledge replied Mac
Auley, but that makes no difference.
am depending upon the curiosity to SEQ
her rather than upon any ability sho may
possess
IAN right said I, things certainly
cannot be any worse than they are. Send
for her. BY the way, what is her namef'
Mary Anderson. And so q messenger
was dispatched to notify Miss Anderson
that tho manager was anxious to 500 her
ut once. Tint young Indy was found upon
her return from tho cathedral, and she and
her mother Immediately repaired to the
office of Mr.. MacAuley, where Miss An
derson was asked If she could be ready to
play Juliet by Saturday night. and with
only ono rehearsal. Sho unhesitatingly re-
piled that she could, rs she already had
tho part 'lotter perfect. I VOL remember
that 1t was rainy, slushy day, but that
was mere triflo to determined girl who
had after careful consideration como to
tho conclusion that tho stage was her des-
tiny.
"MacAuley and then had another con-
sultntion, and 1t was suggested that play
Romeo. objected on tho double ground
that was not up in tho part and that
had mnde some littlo reputation as Mercu-
ito. Besides, it was absolutely necessary
+; that 1 should havo some character which
was killed off carly in tho play, so that
might DO enabled to leave on tho train for
Cincinnati, connecting with tho othor,
which would land me in New York on
Monday. Then we set about TO cast tho
piece, and to our dismoy wo found TINT it
was impossible to 90 it with tho company
wo had. 1t was decided to telegraph to
| MIR. MacAulcy's Cincinnati thcntor for q
| fow people who wero supposed to be some
| what familiar with Romeo and Juliet ;
| This done, Miss Anderson was notified
| that n rehearsal would DO held at O'Clock
| Saturday morning.
"Somo Of tho people were inclined, as
| Miss Anderson states in her memoirs, to
] look down upon the ambitious girl who ut
! least temporarily was to DO tho ccntor Of
4 attraction at their expense and by theiy