New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-26
NO PLAY AT WALLACK'S.
THE STAGE VILLAIN FoILED TOO SOON.
'cyMBELINE" COULD NOT BE ACTED WITH
IAcHIMo IN THE POLICE sTATIoN-THE
TROUBLE TRACED BACK TO
CUBA LIBRE

CUBA LIBRE.
1t is the ancient custom for the villain OF the
play to be overtaken by poetic justice just at
the end OF the last act, or in time for him to be
dec"ntly removed to clear the stage for the
lovers. 1t Is not usual. and it is not convenient
for the coarse. unpoetic justice Of the State
where the play happens to be performed, to
overtake the villain before IT begins. and pre-
vent the performance altog ather.
Yet it is the unexpected that always happens.
and a disappointed audience left Wallacks
Theatre last night. after waiting more than an
hour to see the play OF "Cymbeline" And II
because the villain OF the play had fallen
into the hands OF the law before he had
chance to execute his vlllany Some crimi-
biologists. perhaps all. believe that it would be
far better to find some way to prevent the COM
mission OF crime than to devote energy entirely
to the punishment of the offender after his Of
fence is done and irreparable Perhaps the ac-
ton OF the police last night may have been
intended as 4 movement In that direction.
This Is what happened Miss Margaret Mather
and her company were to play "Cymbeline.' In
that company f. j. Henley to play the part
Of the wicked Iachmo. When he got to the
theatre at 100 o'clock to get ready to play the
part, he arrested and taken to the police
station. Every effort made to get him out
in time to play his part. but in vain. MISS
Mather tried TO induce William Redmund, who
cast for the part Of Pisano. to attempt
Iachimo but he did not know the part. the time
was far too short for him to learn any consider
able portion OF it. and the plan was given up.
When the audience had been kept waiting till
0 o'clock. in the hope that Mra Henley would get
back from the police station, the announcement
was made that there would be no performance,
and those who were present received tickets Tor
other nights.
The whole trouble grew out of an attempt that
was made to aid Free cuba by a performance at
the Murray Hill Theatre some two weeks ago.
That benefit was under the direction of Mrs
Hoffman Martin. and play Of her own was To
be given Henley was engaged for the play and
was to receive for his services. ii appears. S2W).
He received an advance of 500 Then the per-
Torrance postponed till January IS, and
Mr.. Henley told Mrs. Hoffman Martin that he
could not appear at that time She then asked
him to give back the so that he had received.
He did not have the money. but gave her an
order Miss Mather for the amount.
Mrs. Hoffman Martin took this to the mana
ger and he told her that Mr.. Henley had not
yet begun his engagement with Miss Mather.
and that she. therefore. did not owe him any
thing. but that when she did owe him as much
as $50 the order would be hOnOred. This did
not satisfy Mrs Hoffman Martin and she caused
the arrest OF the actor. already set forth.
The arrest was made by Court Officer Dou-
gan. Of jefferson Market n warrant issued
by Magistrate Deuel. Mr. Henley begged the
officer 10 wait till the end Of the play before
serving the warrant. but he insisted on taking
him TO the station at once. Friends OF the actor
vert to the station and offered bail for him.
but the sergeant in charge had 70 authority to
accept II. and magistrate could be found.
Every effort TO get him out and give the play
failed and the opening will therefore take place
tonight.
Mrs. Hoffman Martin Is well known In this
city and elsewhere. Last spring she figured in
the newspapers while occupying room in the
Mystic flats. by throwing a bottle containing a
note. setting forth that she was made a prisoner
in her room Mr.. Henley says that since he
gave her the order on Miss Mather he has re-
ceived a number Of threatening letters from her
the last OF which bore the date Of Saturday
last-in which she assured him he would not
appear at Wallacks.