The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-09
BROUGHAM'S JOKES.
How a Veteran Actor Hoaxed al Audi
ence and Also Rigg:d Pompous
Manager OF a Theater.

brings man In contact with most OF
the celebrities of that period, scientific.
literary, political. an1 dramatic. Curtis
Guild, of Boston. editor of the Com
mercial Bulletin" Of that city, In giving
his experiences in "A Chat About Celeb
rites" just published. tells the follow
ing good story of one of John Broug-
hams characteristic jokes:
l was witness to one of BuOugham's
dramatic practical jokes. which, with
its sequel, is quite amusing and worth
chronicling In these papers. 1t was
during Brougham's engagement at the
Howard Athenaeum that he announced
for his benefit two attractive comedies.
and between these the announcement
was made that a new and original pro.
duction would he brought out, entitled
This House to BE Sold"
AS usual at Brougham's benefits, the
house was crowded.
After the representation of the first
comedy, and when the orchestra had
played an cntr'-aCte, the audience were
surprised by loud voices and an un-
wonted disturbance behind the curtain.
which increased. and the stage manag-
er rushed in an excited manner before
the curtain.
Ladies and gentlemen" he said, II
regret to state that a member of the
company who was to appear In the next
piece has come to the theatre in such an
after-dinner condition that"
He got no further. for n well known
member of the company rushed upon
the stage In an excited manner with:
Ladies and gentlemen, am l in an
after-dinner condition.
mo! no." "Yes!" Go on with the
play" and various other responses
came from the audience. Then entered
the manager. who, addressing himself
to the speakers. said:
Gentlemen. I insist that you retire. ~
Not till l have an apology from
him." said the irate actor.
Go off, all Of you," said a respectable
elderly loking man, rising in the private
boxes; this audience came to see the
play. and not to settle actors quarrels.' u
"Oh. father sit down. dO!" said a
young lady with the speaker who at
tracted the attention Of the whole audi
cnce. -
For myself, I recognized In the voice
of the elderly gentlemen w. II. Curtis
one Of the stock company. and the
daughter as Miss Josephine Orton, an
other, and I at once began to scent q
joke. Just then an uproarious, evident.
ly intoxicated Irishman in the parquet
jumped uD and hourishing a stick
shouted:
"Bedad, I'll perform a part meseli
If yc don't bring out Brougham"
"Will the officer remove that man.
said the manager from the stage.
A policeman came down, seized the
offending Pat by the collar and began
to drag him away, when the elderly
gentleman again interposed:
"The lrishman Is all right; let him
alone."
Fly this time the audience were be.
ginnig to get in confusion, cries Of &c
on" Put him out" resounding. some
of the ladies begging their escorts tc
leave for fear Of a disturbance. Al
this iuncture, the manager, addressing
himself to the elderly speaker, said:
Perhaps you would like your Irish
friend to appear here"
I have no doubt he would make {
better Job of it than you do" was thu
reply, amid peal of laughter.
At this point the Hibernian, who ha(
extricated himself from the officer''
clutches, ran down the aisle. climbed
over the orchestra, hitting the kettle
drum a tremendous thumo EN- route
and amid laughter and shouts of th'
auditors, mounted and stood upon tn,
stage, hat in hand. In an easy atti
tude.
The moment he did so. and uttered
the words Ladies and gentlemen thu
confusion ceased and gave way tC
shouts of laughter and applause. a!
he was recognized as John Brougham
who spoke thus:
Ladies' and gentlemen. ] promised
you an Original production, on the
occasion of my benefit: it was. 'Thi.
House to be Sold and if this house
has not been sold, please inform me
and the sell shall be more complete or
some other occasion"
The sequel to this Is quite amusing
Several months afterward Broughan
was interested with Burton in the
management of the Chamber street
theatre, New York. where they were
both very successful. especially in 9
dramati2ation OF 'Dombey IL Son." ir
which Burton did Captain Cuttle
Brougham, Joe Ragstock and Jack
Bunsby: Mrs Vernon. Mrs. Skewton
George Jordan, Cracker etc.
. When BrOugham's benefit night
came round he proposed to repeat fol-
New York audience his House tC
BE Sold" but on explaining 1t to Eur.
ton, that worthy objected to 1t as "a
piece of illegitimate nonsense" How
ever after some discussion he said
well, go ahead. Brougham, it Is
your benefit, and 1t will not be m'
; fault II you spoil it with such trash
Brougham ''went ahead" the an
nouncement was made. O full house
was in attendance. and all went on as
previously In Boston.
The audience was thoroughly de-
ceivcd but II CHANGED that when the
police officers In front was suInOned t.
eject the supposed Irishman from the
audience. that official. not having been
sufficiently posted. supposed the party
in question to be a genuine disturber
and dragged him with considerable
violence toward the door.
Let me 70! Let me CO." said the