Kansas City daily journal., 1897-01-17

The leading woman of Thomas W.
Kcene's company is a Kansas City product
When ii is known that she Is no other
than Miss Grace HOPKINS. some ten Ten years ears
many who saw her in the old days Will
doubtless take special interest in the en-
gasement at the Coates this week, to see
the little actress in the roles of Desde-
mona. Ophelia. Virginia and others OF Mr..
Keenes repertory.
1t was lust about ten years ago that
Miss Hopkins. whose parents at that time
lived in Kansas City, kas.. whence they
had removed from Cherryyale. kas., was
sought by Mr. Stanislaus STANCE to play
the part of the little Duke of York in his
production of Richard Ill" at the Coates.
Little Oracle Hopkins had made something
of a reputation as reader ana II was
through her public work that Mr.. STANCE
learned of her She consented, and her
first acting part was that of the little
duke, in which she made Il Great success.
1t j. a notable fact that in the ten years
that have elapsed. Mr.. Stange has become
one of the foremost playwriters and libret-
lists of the country and the little girl
whom he brought out is the leading act
ress with one of the foremost tragedianS
of the United States.
After appearing in various amateur per-
formanCes and public readings in Kansas
City. Oracle was engaged for the Aus
tralian "Fauntleroy' company and went
abroad for one season TO play the title
part of that play. She returned and re-
sumed her readings for 4 season or two,
when she retired from the stage and went
to school in Topeka, near which city her
parents had removed. Last season she
resumed acting. playing the same line OF
parts she is playing this season. but with
a small Western repertory company. She
showed that she still possessed the abllity
that betrayed itself in her early EFFORTS.
and her performances We're so satisfactory
that she was engaged this year by Mr..
Eecne.
A practical, joke was penetrated on
! Francisque Sarcey: the critic OF the
| Temps. the day. after the first perform
| cafsc. which is attributed to the younger
| CoGuelin NJ. Sarcey had written "A partic-
ularly bitter criticism OF the play, and
vented unusual spleen upon Mile. Lerou.
| erroon of the day on which the criticism
| appeared more than dozen persons. in
| one way or another. Informed NJ. Sarcey
| that Mile. Lerou had commtted sulcide
! kind hearted old gentleman, but he abso-
| Iutely denied having sent the floral wreath
which toward evening arrived at Mile;
I.crou's hotel, accompanied with !i.t Lhe ia Garo
| of the critic of the Temps tied with a piece
| of black ribbon. Mile Lerou Immediately
| sent the wreath to NJ SGrcey'S. in the Rue
! dc EQUAL with the following scribbied
| across the back of the critics card: The
dead do not laugh. am laughihS'
Edward Harrigan says: The reason why
the actors are going into the vaudeville Is
| that the commercial spirit of the age Is
| buying OF foreign plays. the number OF
| which exceeds the output of our American
| writer's. and the importation OF number one
| English companies have Drought OUT nun
| dreds of cheap shows. all tending to induce
| the clever American actor 10 go into vaude'
| Vile where he is sure of a good salary
| There are a host of people that began IL
the variety business that have MADE