The record-union., 1897-08-29

singers of plantation melodies Their
last public appearance here was on the
stage of the Empire. 1t is not often
that recruits are found there for grand
opera, but this seems to be the very
pleasant prospect in store for Bessie
Abbott When the Abbotts were COM
ing to Europe last spring they had as
fellow passengers the de Reszkes and
the Secret Service company. Mr..
Dillingham;, the manager of Secret
Service" introduced the Abbotts to the
de ReSZkes, who expressed a desire to
hear their plantation songs. Jean de
Reszke was much pleased with Bessie
Abbott's voice. and asked her to sing
for him again in London. A few days
afterward Mrs. Abbott was surprised
to receive an offer from the tenor to
educate the young woman for the oper
attic stage. Miss Abbott is to spend
six months studying in Paris, and then
goes to Italy for another six months
course. If her voice fulflls expecta-
lions, NJ. de Reszke will launch her
upon the operate stage.
On his arrival in New York from
dIlSs W iIlIciII NIltitltts Tie duIIlOE VI
Secret Service" said little. The men,
bers of his company were particularly
noticeable as they fitted around look
ing after their baggage. In fact, he
slipped away unobserved from the pier,
and after making hurried call on
Charles Frohman and Mr.. Hayman at
the Empire Theater took an early train
to Hartford. He gave a few minutes
Of his time to a reporter for the New
York Times" who took the opportun-
ity to ask him his views regarding the
alleged prejudice against American
plays and actors in England.
1T is perfectly absurd" he said,
''even to insinuate that there is the
slightest prejudice against American
actors or American plays in London.
Indeed, I think they are rather preju-
diced in our favor Al they object to
is what they don't like, no matter
whether it's English or American. This
friendly feeling was most forcibly
evinced by the press and the public,
and even the weather In fact, the
public spoiled US. They were abso-
lutely too kind and friendly and hos
pitable. We went to play in London
for four weeks, and we staid three
months"
How did the first night audience
behave?"
.'Well. they behaved -. For the
first fifteen or twenty minutes there
was an Ominous stiffness. They did not
seem to know what sort Of a thing the
play was going to be, and we thought
We WIRE lost. Suddenly there was
change, and we could feel that we were
holding them, even before they made
any noise. Very soon after that they
became wildly enthusiastic-got up in
their seats and cheered at the end of
every act, called US out again ana
again, and showed every sign of ap-
prevail and friendliness. After that
night there was no ominous silence
They took it all from beginning to end,
even what we had thought too essen
TALLY American for them they thor
oughly understood. and, although they
are a little slower TO take up points.
when they do they make more demon-
stration than audiences in America. ."
Mr.. Gillette said he was i'll IN Lon
don, but he had fully recovered and
was now quite well.
nQeT the 1l6u flODe VIII nave a re-
turn engagement at the Empire Thea
ter. New York, during the coming sea-
son. and will then be sent out by
Charles Frohman for a tour of the
larger cities.
Annie Irish, who was last here with
Daniel Frohman's Lyceum Company
will be w H Cranes leading lady the
coming season. Miss Irish commences
her engagement in San Francisco, ap-
pearing in a role in Cranes new play
"A Virginia Courtship," which was
especially written for her The COM
pany next comes to Sacramento.
The success of Secret Service" in
London will doubtless open the way
for other American plays Louis Meth
ersoIe has purchased the London rights
Fof Edwin Milton Royale's Friends. -
and Charles Frohman has secured Mr..
| Royale's latest success, Captain I'm
pudence."
Frances Powers Chinese play, 1.-THE
First Born" is announced for an early
production in London at the Garrick
Theater under the joint management
of Charles Frohman and David Belasco.
Flora Irwin, who replaces her robust
sister. May, in THE Widow Jones'" is
being extensively Photographed as hav-
/ ing some novelties in dress which are
sure TO create a hutter in the feminine
heart the coming season. The dresses
are all right, providing she can fill the
! bill otherwise.
/ Lefty lie Vyne a remarkably clever
young singing Coincidence who has
made an enviable reputation in the
+ leading vaudeville theaters in this
country, has made a great hit at Jo-
/ hannesburg. South Africa. After clos
| ing there she goes to London for a
short engagement, and then returns to
this country to accept an engagement
in burlesque.
The melody of the celebrated song,
My Maryland" which was popular
during the civil war and is revived in
THE Heart of Maryland was taken
from the old German song, "Oh. Tan
nebaum,"
Fanny Davenport still preserves ST.
! lence about the title of her new play or
its author. She opens her season at the
Boston Theater October 18th, the en-
gagement being for six weeks. Miss
/ Davenport will also appear in a SPLEEN
! did production of "Brunhilde'' the COM
! ing season
! Title 'Sallinger and her husband. Phi
| Branson. who have been filing a sum-
mer engagement in ST. Louis, return to