Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-08-14
STORIES OF
THE STAGE.


In the early days Of their success,
when Gilbert & Sullivan were consid-
cred by managers as the sure win
ners" in the comic opera field; a young
woman who was a member Of one OF
the .Pfnafore" companies, wrote to
Gilbert, tethag him of her approach
ing marriage with young man OF
good position and family,
Gilbert congratulated the young
woman and expressed the hope that
her future might be prosperous and
happy.
Only little more than month
passed, and another letter from the
same girl reached him, in which she
stated that her engagement with the
young man had been broken and that
she had accepted another sutton.
He replied that he had every con-
fidence in her judgment and again ex-
pressed his hearty wishes for her well
fare.
1t was almost two months after that
that Gilbert received third letter
from the same girl, who informed him
that young Lord - had proposed,
and that she had accepted him after
breaking her engagement with No. 2.
Gilbert's humor could no longer
stand the temptation, and he wrote,
Il desire to congratulate you on your
approaching marriage with" Here
he placed an asterisk and in a foot
note added:
Here insert the name of the happy
man"
r. e. Graham on one occasion
.'supeR' in production of Forests,
doing, with the assistance of several
Others, what, is technically known as
.ssbN outside is, he was part
J opposed mob that yelled at the
p n time, but did not appear on the
scene. Some of his mere sophisticated
comrades conceived the idea of max
ing Graham up grotesquely, with big
red nose, q ridiculously lined face and
the parts OF several different cos
TUNES. Thus attired he was to be
sent on the stage during one of the
tragedian's most impressive scenes.
Fortunately for Forrest-and for Ora
ham, too that actor saw the scare
crow before it was too late.
WELL what on earth are you made
up for?" he demanded.
Shouts outside" answered Graham
in all sincerity.
The old actor had the govt at the
time, but, unaware of the deep dyed
plot against him, laughed heartily.
Well, my boy, so take it off, he
said. But, I say, you'll be come
dian yet"
The following story has been told
OF playwright of several generations
ago, whose dramas left only a tenn
porary impression upon the dramatic
literature of his age: He had written
play for well-known actor, in which
the star did not appear until the sec
onh act The actor complained that
he did not have enough to do, but
the author insisted that it was pore
effective as it was. On the first night
the playwright celebrated the event in
!. a neighboring tavern whers several
gay young mem about town usually
gathered. Some of them were just
from the theater, and ir comments
upon the play did n ese him. A
fisticuff resulted, I'M eh he was
49, ! : -a3.1i ,assd he-sat at
one of the tables, bruised and defect
ed, the actor stepped in.
why, what's going on?" he asked.
Nothing, right now" was the re-
ply. This is the intermission. But,
/ say, / wish I had written an en-
trance for you in the first act
.'Oh, no." retorted the actor, that
wouldn't do. It's more effective as it
is"
1t is accepted as AIN axiom in the
theatrical world that a play founded
on popular novel will be a success
by reason of the preinterest created in
the characters by the story and the de-
sire of readers to see the personages
of the tale Interpreted in the more
realistic atmosphere of dramatic ac
ton.
The fascination of the characters of
a widely read novel dramatically pre-
scented has been practically demonstrate
ed by the five phenomenal successes of
the last three seasons-"Trilby," "a
Lady of Quality" 1.-THE Little Minis
ter "The Prisoner of Zenda" and
Under the Red Robe By these ex-
periences the Liebler company be-
lieves that Viola Allen will meet with
great success in Hall Gaines THE
Christian" irrespective, in a sense, Of
the talent of the star or the excellence
of the play, the former OF which is
generally known and acknowledged
and the. latter enthusiastically claimed
by those who have read the manu-
script.
1.-THE Christian" as novel has been
one of the most extensively read books
ever printed in English and has pro-
voked more discussion probably than
most works of fiction. 1t was first
printed in this country in serial pub
LEGATION having a monthly circulation
of 700, 900 copies Since this issue many
editions Of the story have been pro-
duced in book form, aggregating over
100000 copies. At a very conserva-
tive estimate over $500, 600 people
have read 1.-The Christian" in America
alone
THEATRICA