Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-17
A MOMENT WITH
THE PLAYERS

alfI1L LA EnO
When an actor nowadays essays a
romantic role in the plays that permit
of sumptuous costuming, he must assume
eourtly manner and be attired similar
ly to a fin-de-sieele beau at a Martha
Washington tea party. 1t is all the rage
among managers to bring out plays that
depend greatly upon elaborate costum-
ing. Now and then some one discovers
that the details of the life and manners
and dress of the period when the scenes
take place have not been faithfully re-
produced. The costume play is a prob
lem. In the days that are to come the
present modes will be reproduced on the
stage. There will probably arise severe
ly critical individuals who will argue the
question with managers and playwrights
whether the Inbred ladies of the Nine
teenth century wore their gowns off their
shoulders or swarthed their white threats
in laces. They will no doubt discuss the
. size of sleeves and hats and If the hair
was worn over the ears, 50 anxious will
they be to reproduce as near as possible
a young beauty of the latter part of this
century. II only young maiden of this
generation could come back to life a hum
dred years from now and see a drawing
room play costumed in the modes of this
decade! 1t would probably be the death
of her.
AS for ourselves, we are not much
troubled over costume plays. 1.-THE Priso-
ner of Zenda,, Under The Red Robe"
and a few Shakespearan reVivals will
have to come our way before we need
bother our heads over accurate repro
auctions. There is one advantage. We
are not tempted to sacrifice art for the
simmer of satin gown or the coat of
cavalier. AS things now stand we do
not criticise costume plays, and we are
like patience, smiling at grief. which is
not so hard after all since there con-
tinues to exist monopoly of clever plays
that are not dependent on the costum-
erS art
The dramatists and mana gers are ex-
ultant that the amendment to the copy
wright law has received the signature of
President Cleveland. The value of this
law cannot be ysrestimated and the
action that the President has taken
marks an era in the literature of the
country. That dramatists and authors
should have been without this protec-
ton in the past is a matter of surprise.
That copyrighted plays could be pre-
sented in any part of the country without
the authority of the authors and the
theft to be regarded of such a nature as
not to come under the jurisdiction of the
courts has not only been unjust to au-
thors, but has placed the stigma of dis
honesty upon the theater. The first moye-
ment against the. production of stolen
plays began many years ago, and yet
congress has waited until the last year
for more light to be thrown on one of thu
crying evils of the~day The American
Dramatist club of Which Mr.. Bronson
HoWardis president, have been urtiring
in their efforts to push the matter for
ward, and have time and again sent del
egates to Washington to appear with
their friends in the house and senate.
That their efforts have been crowned
with success is a matter that demands
congra tulations from those who have at
heart the welfare of the drama of Amer
lea. The dramatists have all along had
magnificent defender in Harrison Grey
Fiske, who, in his able Journal, is ever
on the side of honesty and truth.
On the morning of the recent fete in
honor of Sarah Bernhard, she contrib
uted to Paris paper the following med
itation
1T is an examination of conscience that
you ask of me- dear friend, and yet | do
not hesitate a second in replying. Yes,
am proud, happy, and that to the depths
| of my heart at the manner in which am
| about to be honored. You ask me, my
! friend, whether 1 eonscientiously believe
| that L deserve this honor If l answer
| yes, you will believe that 1 am very ar
| rogant; il | say no, that am very guilty.
II rather prefer to tell you the why
| of this because. 1t is now twenty-nine
years that l have been exposing to the
public the Vibra tions of my SOUL the
| throbbings of my heart, the tears of my
eyes. l have interpreted hundred and
! twelve parts. I have created thirty-eieht
personalities, of which sixteen were the
| work of poets. / have struggled as no
| human being ever struggled. Indepen-
| dent by nature, detesting falsehood, 1
| have raised up against myself bitter
enemies. Those that I have deigned to
fight against 1 have laid low and con-
quered. They have become my friends.
! The mud which the others threw at me
| fell in dust, dried up by the burning sun
| light of my faith and my will
II have willed, 1 have willed ardently,
| to reach the highest point in art; have
not yet attained it; have less time to
| live than I have already lived, but what
matters that? Every step brings me
| closer to my ideal The hours that have
swept by, taking with them my youth,
| have left me my courage and my cheer
| fulnesS for my aim remains the same
| and toward it I am tending"
Mrs John Drew. who recently appear
| ed in the leading role of 1.-THE Sporting
Duchess" has found the part too great
| strain on one of her age, and her place
will be taken by Miss Rose Coghlan who
| was On the eve of going abroad when she
learned of Mrs. Drew's retirement. The
| seven changes of costume in Miss Cogh-
lan's role will delight her heart.
| Miss Elizabeth Monsierini, one of Ken
| tucky's beauties, made her debut on the
| stage recently in Louisville. She is the
| daughter of a railway president.
|
Sardou's new play is called "Spir-
| itisme," and brings in spiritualism seri-
| ously. Perhaps some day Mr.. Lackaye
| will turn his attention in that direction
| The play is to be pres ented simultaneous
| ly in New York and Paris. Miss Virginia
| Harmed will appear in the leading role at
the New York production.
Mr. Charles Hoyt will soon give the
| public a new play entitled "a Stranger
| In New York" The scenes are to be di-
| yided between the Hoffman house and a
studio in the tower of Madison Square
| Garden.
The Bostonians will present their latest
| opera, "The Serenade.' the last of the
| month.