New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-30
THE OLD-FASHIONED SUPER.
HE is NOT SEEN SO MUCH AS HE USED
TO BE. AND HE LEAVES A PLACE
UNTITLED.

who seems to re passing away-that is to say.
the supplementary of the old days. the one
whose aWlwagdness was always so original
ami whose views of the drama and of his own
part in it were SO refreshing and instructive
He is not gone yet If you know where 10 look
IJr him you will surely find him. But if you do
not look for him. and go only to the fashionable
theatres IF NcW-York. you will not sec him
often. Perhaps il is gain. yet the super as
he was called by those who delighted in INN.
the "supc" as his enemies called him. did
much in his own b,urd ring way TO brighten
tn lives Of these both before and behind the
curtain.
Who could look upon the ungainly slouchins
forms Of the cpurtiers Cf the Duke Frederick.
dressed in gay garments. obviously cut with
the frugal intention Of striking an average III
fl between these men-thc men Of last week
aud the men of next wcek-who could see in
Their faces the painful anxiety to do the right
thing. and at the same time the sh aepish look
Of dread Of being recognized and gibed at by
their friends in the gallery-whO could see little
later these Same ungainly. slouching forms in
The greer erray. fitting before of the forcsers
of the banisEcd Duke sallying forth to hunt
the deer. with a crestfalien air. as If they had
just been whipped il a street fight. without feel
with awe at Richards army OF six. and then
at Eichmonds army OF the same six. without
feeling that the truest art ought to leave some
thing to the Imagination?
HE TOOK LIFE SERIOUSLY
The super was an amusing fellow (and still
Is where he is at alD. because Of his very
gravity and his sad way Of taking life. He
regarded the work that he doing rather as
frivolous nonsense. He did It TO humor those
who liked it. however unaccOuntably. and for
the ptiful amount Of money that Was IN it.
As a rule he did not intend to do any more Of
it than was necessary. There is a story of a
super who was suddenly called upon to pay a
speaking part The superior super who should
have played ii dropped out of the cast. and the
star looked on the group TO find man of the
right countenance and build for the part He
selected one handed him the part, and told
him that he wanted him to learn it and play II
The man looked at it, There was one word for
him to speak He handed it back No. he said
it putting too much work on him.
There have been supers who We're more am
bilious than this There was not - very
long ago in a play in which a street fight oc-
CURED. The stage manager wanted To make it
look more real. so he took one # thu aupers
and how to conduct himself afterVard 90 give
the impression that he was severely hurt. This
man was made OF something better than the
common clay Of supers and lie felt that h. had
been chosen and distinguished tina; he was
getting up in his chosen profession He re
hearsed his part carefully. When The time
came he did it we'll that the leading woman,
not used seeing sup,rs do such taings,
thought that ne must be really badly hurt. The
case seemed 50 alarming that she left Of y ay-
ing her own part and ran and stool Ell over
him to see If She could be OF service - a dying
man. The super was too intent what he
was doing - see who she WAS. lie only saw
that somebody was getting between him ard the
audience. lie thought that it was me ii his
companions. and exclaimed in a hcarsr Whis-
per. Get away from me-! Get away. In act
ing"
FORREST DIDN'T BLAME HIM.
The story which illustrates hest tho usual
relation Of the super 10 the actor is the Did one
of Edwin Forrest The mob had some shouting
To do ard at the rehearsal Mr. Forrest dis
pleased with the way in which enc OF the supers
ia particular did IT. Don't shout like that"
he said shout like this" and he showed how
il ought to be done with that tremend ous voice
which was one of the wo lders OF the stage Of
that day.
"Rut. Mr. Forrest" said the super. Il can't
do it like that If ! could shouldn't De a
supc at half dollar a night"
rs that all you get" Forrest asked
That's all get" said the super.
Then DO it any way you please" said FOR
rest, and he went on with the rehearsal