The age-herald., 1898-03-20
AMONG
 @THE PAYERS

The crisis which has been threatened for some time by the men who compose the theatrical trust has eliminated in meas ure, in the arrest of Harrison Grey Fiske, editor of the Dramatic Mirror, on a war rant charging him with criminal libel This diplomatic hypocracy has brought about an issue that will at once refute these diplomatic asailants. MT. Harrison Grey Fiske has carried on the war against this perncious combination with great earnestness and he will carry it on to successful conclusion. He has never been doubted. He has been tireless and inces- sant in enforcing public opinion. He has shown that art can not live in an atmos- phere of repression. He has presented in clear-cut ideas that the drama of Ameri- ca must be taken out of the hands of spectators. As matters stand today the result will be continual dishonesty in the management of theatrical affairs. It will pauperize art These antagonistic interests are continually struggling for the mastery. They are continuing to threaten histrionic art with degredation. They are contribute ing to a remarkable lowering along the whole line of dramatic art. The existence of the trust in this matter-of-fact age will surely not continue to be practically hcens- ed by the American public. This recent insolent attempt on the part of the trust towards prosecuting the editor of one of the most brilliantly edited and fearless journals of the day, Is regarded as an in- solent attack upon the liberty of the press.
 Charles Frohman has definitely decided to star Annie Russell soon as he can find the proper place for her. A critic says that Miss Russell has cast longing eye on Pamela but that 1t is rather a seri- ous undertaking. Madame Sans-Gene might give her chance for a hit, but the ideas of today do not encourage the use or parts that have been much played lately. Per- haps if Twelfth Night were new she might make a sensation in that. The library shelves are full of parts that would suit her, but the absurd necessity of having something just written makes the case difficult one. Where Miss Russell really be- longs Is where many of the good actors belong in repertory theaters, but until they are brought into existence by public taste or private philanthropy, starring is the only opportunity an actor has in this country to develop, and this Is a danger ous road as has been illustrated by the case of John Drew and the probable fu- ture of Maude Adams.
 It is common, by the way. to compare Maude Adams and Annie Russell. Miss Adams charm lies largely in her sugges- ton of harmless roguery, sort of capric- 1CuSneSS that TeStS OH TeSpeCldDIity, diiu in her wholesome girlish qualities which make her personality attractive to every body. Annie Russells charm is subtle and less popular It is more intellectual-less in quantity but finer in quality. One thing in which Miss Russell is superior to Miss Adams and to many other actresses is in her relation to the people she is playing with. Nobody acts more absolutely with the others on the stage. Our system of lax discipline does not encourage ensemble acting. Annie Russell does it by nature.
 Roland Reed tells this story of his first comedy part. "It was De Beringhen in Buiwers 'Richelieu,' when Edwin Forest was playing the title part in Philadelphia in 1872. I spent about two weeks salary on the costume. I made very good ap- pearance, but in the curse scene remem- Der I stood in the corner of the stage. Lewis Morrison was in the cast and you know what voice MT. Forest had, as you may know I was not in the atmosphere of the scene at all. I stood there; I forgott the exact text, but I knew it at the time. Richelieu said something. ''If it were so, our state were lost already" That was my line. MT. Morrison was trying to get in the same tone that MT. Forrest had, but when the tragedian came to me and said, "If it were so etc., in a high squeak, you imagine the result I won't tell yor what tForrest said to me on the stage. In the last act where the conspirators are exposed. he beckoned me and all the blood in my body rushed to my face. The old