The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-20

style was different. Inside the Academy
Stoddart stood with tears in his eyes,
honored as few players ever are. Out in
the cold, with eyes as moist, Harry Cour-
taine fingered until it was all over and
then shuffied away
Courtaine is an actor who, if he would
keep sober, would find no difficulty in
getting place in almost any comedy Or
farce company. AS a character delineator
he is extremely clever. He was born in
Dublin 65 years ago, and at Is years of
age he got place in the Hawkins Street
Theater company, in that city, going from
there to the Drury Lane theater in Lon
don. He married and came to this coun-
try in 1857. His debut in America was
made in San francisco, where he joined
Maguire's Opera House company.
At different times he has supported
Barrett and Edwin Forrest. In 1879 he
joined Palmer's Union Square Theater
company, where he played three seasons.
He took to drinking about this time,
and, in spite of his ability, soon found it
difficult to get an engagement. One of
his last engagements in this city was with
Louis Aldrich in my Partner" After
that he knocked about, travelling with
small companies. Although his face shows
signs of dissipation, Courtaine is still a
fine looking man.
sociate and friend, is now playing an i'm
portant role in ''The Sporting Duchess"
He is, with the exception of G. W. Coul-
dock, the Oldest actor still in harness on
the American stage. He has run the en-
tire gamut of the drama, but won his
greatest fame in old mems parts in A. NJ.
Palmer's once famous but now defunct
stock company. He has at different times
played with Laura Keene, Dion Bouoi-
cault, Mrs. John Wood, Lester Wallack
and other celebrities. Taken altogether,
there is no better all around actor living
today than j. n. Stoddart, who is as pop
ular rs he is talented and as modest as he
is versatile.
Maxine Elliott's Artistic Growth.
A rumor has recently gained currency
in this city to the effect that Maxine Ell
lott, by many regarded as the most beau
tiful woman on the American stage, has
left Augustin Daly's company, where she
has become an equal favorite with Ada
Rehan. There is not word of truth in
the report. Miss Elliott has simply been
lent to Sydney Rosenfeld for his produc-
ton of 1.-THE Two Escutcheons, - as there
is no part in ''The Countess Gucki," now
running at Daly's theater, which would
cult Miss Elliott. By the way, this young
actress has developed marvelously within
the past three years. When she was play
ing Rose Woodmere in 1.-The Prodigal
Daughter, !" few persons suspected that she
was possessed of histrionic ability, and it
was generally thought that she was toler-
ated only for her extraordinary beauty.
She next had part in the i'll fated ''Voy-
age of Suzette' which rather served to
confirm that impression. Then came
"Sister Mary in which Leonard Boyne
and Julia Arthur were the stars, and IN
that Miss Elliott gave the first promise of
good work since her original efforts with
E. S. Willard, the English actor. The
engagement with Rose Coghlan put her
OH her mettIe, and good judges of acting
who saw her with that company recog
nized that the Maine beauty had a dra-
matte future. Augustin DAILY was one of
those who saw her, and he promptly en-
gagged her. The training which Miss Ell
lott has received from Mr.. Daily has been
of immeasurable benefit to her. and it is
now generally conceded that she is one of
the best actresses on the stage in her par
ticular line of work. Thus again is it
demonstrated that perseverance allied to
ability cannot fail to win recognition.
O'Nei1l and the Passion Play.
James O'NeilI has announced that he
proposes to make an elaborate production
of the passion Play in a revised form.
O'Neill put the holy drama on in San