Evening star., 1898-01-15


"Ah-you forget-there might have been
red ink in those days"
One of the pleasantest memories which
Miss Julia Arthur brings back from Eng
land of her experiences with Irving Is an
anecdote which she delights to tell of this
greatest of stage producers During the
run of Richard III' Miss Arthur was con-
fined to her rooms by the spraining of her
ankle. A special request came to her from
Sir Henry asking her to appear with him
in the last performance of that produc-
ton. 1t was made a great affair. and Lord
Harry Russell and party of baronets
came all the way from Liverpool-a quite
unusual and distinguished honor-pur-
posely to witness this last appearance Of
Sir Henry as Richard.
When the final curtain had descended
the entire company waited to hear Slr
Henrys further orders for the production
of Sans Gene which was to follow. In
such moments Irving was generally abb
sent-minded and cold, and simply treated
Of business matters. To the surprise OF
every one he went to Miss Arthur, ana
presenting her with the cane he had car
ried since 1875, gave 1t to her with little
speech of thanks for her support to him,
he complimenting her performance as be-
ing the best Lady Anne he had ever seen.
DO you ever expect to play the charac-
ter of Lady Anne again., eh?" he asked, In
his characteristic manner.
Il hope if / ever do it will be to your
hlCndrU, replleQ tne american girl, re-
mark that Irving showed by his every
movement he was highly pleased with.
Madge Lessing is plain, healthy, tall
ented and ambitious girl. whose future is
her greatest care. Her life is utterly de-
void of sensational interest, and she be-
iieves that off the stage the public has
1IOtning to do with her and don't give a
lap what she does. She has never lost any
diamonds, for the simple reason that all
she possesses she may wear without osten-
tation or fatigue. She has never taken any
milk baths, because it accords more with
her rugged constitution to jump into
tub of cold water She has. not been in
volved in breach of promise or divorce
cases, for to her mind too much time and
Stiffness must of necessity be devoted to
the essential forerunners of that descrip-
ton
If there is anything in Madge Lessing's
private life which is unusual in the lives
of young ladies of the stage 1t is the fact
that she indulges heartily in all kinds OF
athletic exercises. She is an enthusiastic
devotae Of the bicycle and when she goes for
ride, she does it for the pure enjoyment
that it affords her and as a part of her
carefully devised system of preserving her
health. She carries about with her a min
iature gymnasium in the shape of light
Indian clubs and dumb bells, and those
who are close to her aver that punching
bag is also an adjunct of this outfit. II
like taking such exercise, because 1 think
il gives rue good appetite. 1t makes me
sleep well. and helps me with my work on
the STAGE she says.
Everything about this girls physical be-
ing CARRIES conviction of rugged young
womanhood. The characteristic stride. the
strong stamp of her foo. upon the stage.
the huoyancy and dash of her manner. the
sparkle of her eye, the clear musical tones
of her voice and those solid and withal
graceful proportions of her figure all attest
to the careful observance of a course of
life carefully and wisely planned.
NEW NATIONAL THEATER.-Few 9TH
er dramatic events of this season have
created more advance interest than the
coming appearance next week of Miss Julia
Arthur in "A Lady of Quality" at the New
National Theater. Miss Arthur comes here
with the stamp of great metropolitan pres
tige. She brings her New York production
here intact, without any change in the
original cast, costumes or scenic effects.
She has received generous praise for the
nagnificence OF the ensemble, and the sur
roundings are said to be remarkably rich
fording fine opportunity for pictorial scenic
effect and coloring. Particular import is
also centered in Miss Arthur's appearance,
as interest to see both the star and the
widely discussed play which "a Lady of
Quality" has been proven to be will make
this attraction one Of the most powerful
dramatic novelties of the season. Miss
ArtEurS play Is a dramatiZation Of Mrs
Frances Hodgson Burnett and Stephen
Townsend and Mrs. Burnett's famous novel
of that name. 1t has been produced by Mr.
Napier Lothian's genius. who until Mary
AEdersols retirement from the stage was
her stage producer. The play is drama
tized in five acts. In the first scene Miss
Arthur makes a most strikingly pictur-
esque appearance as Miss Clorinda Wild
airs in youths attire. The climax of her
powerful acting is in the great scene in
which as Clorinda she kills Sir John Oxon.
Miss Arthur places a new heroine on the
stage. and has made this character a new
note in the drama through her artistic
methods and her fine treatment By soft
ening and beautifying the creation Miss
Arthur has made this man-woman char
acter fascinating as we'll as unique. Miss
ArthGr's company numbers many actors
whose names are familiar with theater-
goers. Mr.. Edwin Arden is her leading
support. and in the personnel are to be
noted Messrs. Scott Ihglis, George Wood
waId. Robert McWade, Joseph Allen, Law
renee Miller. and Misses Florence Conron,
Ethel Knight Mollison, Marie Bingham
and others. Miss Arthur only plays a Sat
rinda is so great that it necessitates her to
reserve her strength for evening perform
ahceS-
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.
From all accounts. it was an unusually
difficult matter TO adequately organize the
Jack and the Beanstalk' Company, which
begins a weeks engagement at the Lafay-
ette Square Monday night. Unlike most
extravaganZas, this one Is said to alb
solutely require not only skillful vocalists,
but they must also possess acting ability
of an unusual order. Composer Sloane is
said 10 have written score containing
more musical numbers than any of the
current comic operas, some Of which bor-
der upon grand opera attitudes. while the
dialogue and situations require intelli-
gence and discretion in their handling
Messrs. Klaw and Erlanger have obviously
met those requirements, Judging by the
personnel Of the organization which in
cludes among the others such well-known
people as Madge Lessing. Hubert Wilke
and Maude Hollins. The cast as q whole
which will be seen in sburlesque here is
practically the same as originally appeared
in New York. only such changes having
been made as will tend to improve the
general performance The story follows
Jack through a dazzling series of adven-
lures, that culminate with his betrothal
to Princess Mary of "ways-contrary' fame
Mr.. Walter Allen and Mr.. Harry Kelley
appear. respectively. as Old King Cole
and Sinbad, and Miss Madge Lessing Is
pronounced & most picturesque Jack. Hu-
bert Wilke plays Haftwork, captain of the
Forty Thieves, and Miss Carry Perkins
is cast for the role Of Mother Hubbard,
assisted by a dog of rare intelligence A
sensational effect IL introduced into the
last act OF the play, which has challenged
the admiration Of all the electricians who
Witnessed n lod tho