Evening star., 1897-05-08

five years the two lived in the summer
months but few steps from each other at
Cohasset. Mass. Edwin Booth knew less
of Mr.. Barrett than did Mr. Robson. Soon
after Mr.. Barrett's death Mr.. Robson met
Mr.. Booth IN New York city one day, and
together they wended their way to the
Players Club for a chat. Il want you to
talk to me- said Mr.. Booth, about Bar
rett- Barrett had many enemies. News
paper men were his enemies. Things were
said of Barrett's acting that were said be-
cause of his urpopularity. 1 don't think
that's fair. i like that picture there. l
don't care if John Jones, who painted 1t,
was the worst sort of a rascal. / still like
that picture. He was an artist" The day
of Mr.. Barrett's death Mr.. Robson was
Interviewed in st. Louis by a representa-
tive of the New York Times about him.
His death was great shock to him. and
In the emotion of 1t he said a great many
kind things of Mr.. Barrett. 1t was of this
interview that Booth asked Mr.. Robson:
do you think Barrett was great actor
In answer to this query Mr.. Robson told
Mr.. Booth the following story of Forrest:
Il Was playing with Forrest. 1t was just
after Mr.. Fechter had come to New York,
and the critics We're saying the most
scorching things about him and his work.
/ asked Mr.. Forrest why he supposed it
was that Fechter was being universally
belttled Because said Mr.. ForreSt-For-
rest a very bitter and sarcastic man
because there isn't critic in New York
city with brains enough to understand and
appreciate his art You think he is a great
actor them? One of the greatest the world
has SEEN said Mr.. Forrest. l was young
and couldn't stop there. SO 1 said. What
do you consider great actor? "A great
actor. said Mr.. Forrest, is one who can
play three parts better than any one else
play them Mr.. Robson made this
m IN nf Mr Rar mi
pointed out to him that it was acknowl-
edged that Mr.. Barrett excelled in not
only three parts, but six or eight, and
enumerated them to him. among them
Cassius and Yorick During the time Mr..
Robson spoke there was not change in
Booths face. nor for a moment after. Then
he said with his hole heart Enthusiastically
In his words, Undoubtedly great actor
NEW NATIONAL THEATER.-The ten
dency toward plays of a highly moral and
even religious purpose seems 10 be in
Creasing. The success of the Sign of the
Cross appears to have driven every Eng
lsh dramatist of note to writing plays
scriptural subjects. and In our own cour-
try dramas like Shore Acres and THE
Old Homestead each with a moral and
perhaps religious flavor. have achieved sue
cess Stuart Robson certainly took cog
nizance of this radical change of senti-
ment n our theater goers when he ar
ranged for the presentation of The Juck
est composites of numor, pathos and piety
imaginable. The play was written for MIR.
Robson by Mr.. Daniel Hart. founded on
Opie Reads novel of southern life Of the
same name. MIR. Robson will present THE
JCncklins' for the entire week at the Ma
tional Theater beginning next Monday
night Lem Jucklin. an old North Caro-
lima farmer. is the part to be played by
Mr.. Robson. He Is one of those lovable
old men somewhat suggestive of Caleb
Plummer; he believes in the Bible from
"kiver to kiver; that the whale swallowed
Jonah and don't care if its throat weren't
any bigger than a hoe handle; that cid
Samson killed them fellers with 4 huge
bone: believes everything in the book from
start to finish. but can't help fighting
rooSters TO save his life. In the portrayal
tility and depth of feeling which none of
his other characters have heretofore af-
forded him an opportunity to do. There
Is said to be a dignity and sincerity in his
manner of representing LENS amusing in
fatuation of game cocks which makes this
hobby at all times interesting. His proto-
type Is not found in conte.nporaneo1s liter
ature. certainly not in the recent drama
and a consequence there should he dou-
bic interest awakened in the anticipated en-
1oyment of a creation so unique and origi-
nal as 10 merit our consideration from
this standpoint alone Mr.. Robson will
doubtless surprise his many admirers by
the case OF his transition from business
man or man of the world to a farmer.
1t is said his qualities have never been
shown to better adVanta ge. The ieart in
terest which permeates his interesting
tale and which enriches the rugged hearty
novel We are told is most responsive ard
dramatic In the new play. which is per-
meated by an abundance of wholesome
nature and the action of the story has
the ring Of truthfulness and conviction.
The company has been especially engaged
for this piece and includes Mrs. Stuart
Robson. Evangaline Irving Mrs Samuel
Charles. Joseph keefe, Walter Howe, New
ton Chiswell. Augustus Hulbach. Chas. W.
Macdonald. Chas. Chartres Henry Ames
and John Webster.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA CO.
'Erminle" VIII he me c &c given
next week at he Lafayette Opera House
by the Castle Square Opera Co. No light
opera produced in America has ever ac-
quired such hearty and prolonged popular
fly as "Erminie." 1t presents a strong and
varied collection of contrasts. The pres
ence of Cadeaux and Ravennes the two
thieves, In the midst of nobility furnishes
an amusing one throughout. but the tran
sitlons In the scenes are almost as pleasing
Opening with pretty exterior represent
Ing rural fete In progress. the action
shifts quickly to the beautiful pink salon
which has supplied such an artistic char
&cter to the production The harmony of
cOlOrs in this scene is delightfully."- pictur-
esque. and the foreground never once
shows discordant shade against the hazy
background of delicate rose hue. The third
act presents a somDer Gothic hall, display
Ing the massive old staircase the oak
chimney piece, armorial bearings the fam
iy portraits and the tapestry hangings all
In the glow OF a warm log fire. Add to
these beautiful effects the charm of a won
derfuily drilled company of capable singers
and actors, and the result Is production
that must please the auditor beyond de-
Ecription- "Erminie'' is a work which has
passed through the crucible of public judg-
ment, and has maintained it's even tenor
of prosperity. proving beyond all question
Its adaptabili:y to the taste of the theater
patrons of today. Its charming music has
won its way into the favor of every one
while the amusement its comedy elements
afford has made merriment for the thou
sands who have attended it's performances
again and again. The cast to sing this
opera will include Grace Golden, Gertrude
Quinlan. Bessie Fairbairn, Messrs. Wolff,
Woiley. Sheehan. Hitchcock and Melvila
Stewart. Erminie has never yet been given
for less than $50. but this time 1t will be
presented at the regular summer prices of
the Lafayette-25 and SOC. at the matinees
and D. 80 and 75c. for the evening enter
fainments. All reserved and nothing higher
ACADEMY OF MUSIC.-The Academy
Will open its summer season next Monday
night With the Cummings Stock Company
who have just completed a season of thirty
eight weeks In Louisville. During that
perio1 Trey have presented number of