The herald., 1897-05-30


From the practice of dramatic reading
upon the lecture platform to the per
formance of dramatic parts upon tn,
stage of the theater is a step which
most of the students of elocution ant
oratory are eager to take. Even though
the desire may not be acknowledge
or announced, there is yet an ambition
which burns In the breast of each ons
who is an ernest student, for an oppor-
tunity to impersonate, to come before
crowded audience and to impress it with
the sense of being subject to the actors
power of stimulation and to make it re-
eponsive to the expression Of human
feelings and emotions.
The self-satisfaction that comes from
being thus the vehicle or medium
through which such impressions ara
created is the glory. of the actors soul
and sometimes he passes from the feel
ing that he is the interpreter of an
authors thoughts to the belief that he
is the greater of the two, and the real
"creator' of part.
The prepara tion for, and. as 1t often
happens, the incitement to, dramatic
work is nowadays largely done by train
ing schools con Quoted for that purpose.
Such schools, when taught by intelli-
gent and comp etent teachers, may az
complish a wonderful amount of good,
If they do nothin 6 more than insure tina t
the pupils acquire an easy carriage and
a correct habit of using the vocal or
Eans. So far as elocution goes, there
is always very natural tendency to
similarity in method of delivery and in
gesture, so that pupils grow to be, 10
a certain extent, copies of their precept-
or. In just the sa me way the young
actors in the company of a "star" will
be found, after a. time, initiating the
mannerisms and defects. as well as the
good points. of their superior.
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To draw out, to develop the individu-
atty of the student should, of course, be
the object and aim of every teacher. In
the public schools there is mo time" for
such work, but teachers of a speciality,
such as elocution, have no excuse of the
kind to make and should find it the
most delightful part of their profession
to guide their pupils in the way that
will lead them to make the best possible
use Of their individual talents.
As a rule, the practice of grinding
away on the 'best selections is not
followed by happy results. and there is
a soul-depressing monotony in the re-
Of tow ir,vy nf
the appearance of teachers and students
who inf1ict their audience with 1.-The
Bobolink," or some similar piece with
initiative tones. or with dialect selections
or melodramatic attempts.
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A departure from these rusty prece-
dents is a pleasant thing to note. AT
a public entertainment given the other
evening the program was entirely taken
up with ]. M. Barriee clever story, 1.-The
Little Minister" divided into nine con-
deneed chapters, the selections being re-
cited, or told, without book by nine
young women in succession. The recita-
tione were no doubt intended to be dra-
matte, as was demonstrated by the
changes of voice made by each reader
alHQ l1lc lHO0GSL lltLlc NcIHPlS dl lIIlpGT-
sonation thrown in occasionally. The
plan is an excellent one for exciting
emulation, the different readers each
giving their own Interpretation of the
same characters as they recur in the
story. The reading thus becomes as in
teresting as play, with the added ad-
vantage that the bad actors are not
upon the stage all of the time.
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1t IL a scheme of entertainment that
deserves wide imitation, and may result
in much benefit to the participants, not
to mention the feeling of relief to audi
ences that may be spared the threat
that "Curfew shall not ring tonight"
and similar infections. In the selection
of story or play, however, the Scot
tish, or any other dialect, should be
avoided. On the occasion referred to
above the Scotch infection was an un-
known quantity to the readers, and the
pronunciation was an Egyptian mys-
terry. There is no necessity for putting
such difficulties in the way of readers
any more than it is necessary for the
girls to assume a deep-chested tone Of
almost sepulchral quality when they
give the words of the little minister.
1t may be hoped that some more even
ings on the same plan may soon be ar
ranged. Instrumental music between
some of the scenes is agreeable.
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Excelsior Jr." was given again last
night and grows in favor with each per-
formance. 1t was rather unfortunate
that the company was obliged to sacri-
flee one night in the middle of its en-
gagemenit on account of the theater hav-
ing been previously rented However,
the quality of the show has not suffered
in consequence, and an extra perform
ance is to be given this evening as
wind up.
Sadie Martinot, the fascinating, will
give her limitations of Yvette Guilbert
and will again display her abilities as a
charming actress. Joe Cawthorne affords
entertainment enough as a monologist
to repay the necessary disbursement at
the box office, and in fact, there is not
dull moment in the whole performance.
The chorus girls, the funny people, the
burlesque Italian brigandN the human
st. Bernard quadruped, Excelsior, the
new woman hybrid creation with ito,
four Wallets. the scenery, fine costumes,
colored lights and capital music COM
bine to make an entertainment that de-
lights all who witness it.
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