The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-22
Robert Bruce Mantell

In a recently published interview, this
favorite actor gives the following partic-
ulars of his life:
II was born in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scot
land not far from the birthplace of Rob-
ert Burns, and at the age of our family
" ent to Belfast, in the north of ireland,
where I was educated. was originally
intended for the bar. Perhaps unfortun-
ateIy, / was unable to pass my last ex-
animation, and my father was so disgust.
ed with me that he walked me over to our
wine merchant and bound me apprenticed
for five years. can honestly say had no
great liking for bookkeeping or office work.
and often was reprimanded by my employ
CT for reading play book inside of the
ledger. always had great Partially for
the stage and played in all the amateur
performances 1 possibly could. 1 never
thought seriously of going on the stage
until l played Iago at benefit perform
ance in Belfast; then Sam tombstone of
the Lyceum theater, London, advised me
to adopt the profession. l had many diff
culties to overcome before doing so, as my
family was greatly opposed to it.
my first professional performance was
in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, Octo-
Der q, 1876 the part being the sergeant III
'Arrah ma Pogue,'' for which I reviewed 5
shillings (nearly dollar) week. During
my first season in Rochdale played every
thing from My lord the carriage waits,
heavy thinking parts. dead soldier on tho
field of battle. shouts outside, eccentric
Utility, to Macbeth; my salary never
reached higher than Ell (nearly So per
week. 1t was good, hard, solid work.
which I have never regretted, and has
stood me in after years of undoubted SER
vice. 1 have had the pleasure of playing
with Barry Sullivan, also with the great
est of light comedians, Charles Matthews;
Miss Marriott, Miss Wallis and many 9th.
ers. In the year 1878 ! came to America.
playing with Nine. Modjeska such parts as
Iybalt, small part in 'Camille;' also Old
Dill in East Lynne, and general utility,
returning to England with Mr.. and Mrs.
George knight. Ny first chance at leading
business was with Miss Wallis at the The
alter Royal. Birmingham. England, Octo-
Der, 1880; with her played Romeo. Orlan
do, Benedict, Paul in Paul and Virginia.
Ernest St. Cyr In 'Ninon. Claude Me,notte,
| etc $40
my first London appearance was at the
Olympic theater, supporting Miss Wallis,
in 1881. That same year was engaged by
the late John Stetson for the leading bust
ness at Booths theater, New York, where
] played Jack Herne in the 'Romany Rye.
My next engagement was with Fanny
Davenport in Fedora 1 created the part
of Loris at the Fourteenth-street theater:
also Gilbert Vaughn in Called Back At
the Fifth-avenue theater. New York. after
ward appearing In all the principal cities
in the United States / also opened the
Iyceum theater. New York, under the
management of the late Steele Mackaye,
playing the title role of Dakolar. The next
season Augustus Pitou launched me as his
star in John Keller's play of Tangled
Lives 1 was with Mr.. Pitou six years, in
which time added to my repertory Mon
bars 'Corsican Brothers. Hamlet, ,
Othello,' Marble Heart Lady of Lyons, ;
Romeo and Juliet The Yelled Picture
Thy Mr.. Haven, The Louisianan' (by Col