Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-15

lilt SNdSpu VI iciDt OBthihb ia
and ending the engagement by present.
ing Henry VIII" Ii was in this en-
gagement that Frederick Warde made
his first appearance In Richmond, being
then Booths leading man.
Edwin Forrest played here to tre-
mendous weeks business in October, 1870.
He closed his engagement by presenting
Damon and Pythias." for the benefit
OF the knights of Pythias of this city.
This was Forests last appearance IN
Richmond. Frank Mayo, supported by
Rose Rand, first presented "Davy Crock
ett," at the Theatre. in the season Of
1S73-7i and did a splendid weeks busi-
ness.
One of the most remarkable engage
ments was that Of the Chapman sisters
and c. b. Bishop. under the manage
ment of John T. Ford, in the season of
1863. They played here three weeks, and
the business wds good during the entire
engagement.
Frank Caufrau played a two-weeks'
engagement I'm the season OF lSll-12,
producing the second week Kit, the Ar
kansas Traveller" to the largest busi-
ness ever done by Mrs. Powelps stock
company.
TOOK TOO LONG TO DRESS
1t was in the stock company OF that
season that Squire Graves was given
the chance to make his first appear
ance." At that time he was property
man. f.. l.. Davenport was the star.
who was 10 be supported by the COM
pany, and on that particular evening
Macbeth" was to be presented. Squire
Graves tells the story on himself. In
the morning, just before the rehearsal.
the stage-manager called to him, Come
here, Graves / want 10 learn you how
TO be an actor" What do you want
me to do?' asked the property-man. II
want you to play the second murderer"
he was told. He was given his part,
which probably contained little over a
dozen words, the principal lines being
"Hark, l hear horses| When the
proper scene was on he and the first
murderer got behind a tree" and. as
Banauo approached Graves delivered
himself OF his lines in hlgh-tenor voice.
THAT won't do" said the stage-manager;
'yell that out" After the rehearsal was
over young Graves waited impatiently
for the evening. He was in state OF
feyerish excitement, and went about all
the afternoon repeating the words,
"Harki | hear horsesw He was GER
tainly studying his part. When night
came, although Graves was not 10
appear until the second scene OF the
third act, he lost no time in getting
TO his dressing-room on the third floor.
He was given a lot of clothes, with no
buttons on and told TO make up, and
was then left. He had a great deal OF
trouble getting In the clothes and making
them stay on him; but, finally, with
the aid OF sticks and pins, he succeed
hn arat n
hack. Then he got some paint and pro-
cesded to make himself look, as he
thought. like a murderer. He finished
his "make-up'' by sticking a feather In
his hat. Then ne heard the music. and
he dashed down the three flights or
stairs and reached the stage. breathless,
thinking the overture was being played
For the first act He rushed TO the
nronpt-slde, where the stage-manager
caught him by the collar. Where In
the ID have you beenT' he asked. IT
lust got my clothes on" replied Graves:
"D-n It. go and take them on said
the manager; the act Is over
Graves had been an hour and a nail
"making-up" for the part.
FAMOUS ACTORS SEEN HERE.
Many actors who at present enjoy
wide reputation. when seen iors tne hrst
time IN this city, were not 80 famous.
while the very first appearance here OF
some were as stars.
Sol Smith Russell was seen for the
srst time In this city In 1868 with the
Berger Family Of Bell-Ringers. He was
then doing a monologue turn"
William II. Crane first appeared In
Richmond I'm the early seventies with
Alice oates, presenting operas. among
which was the ''Grand Duchess
Kate Clsxton's first appearance here
was in 1877. in the play In which she has
become famous. The TWO Orphans"