The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-04-08
STAGE TEACHES PULPIT.


IL IL generally Regarded ~ . long step
from tine stage to the ruipib and .ct
there IL an actor In New N0k whose
acting 10 reDroduced In many church
on sunday morning. And although the
law is not generally associated with the
drama, there ID many an attorney pead-
ing his clients cause ~ the bar Of justice
whose sioqusncs IL but the re1ex Of the
actors art. Thus are three great prcies-
sions the church, the law and the
drama. closely sllie1, and the frat two
gain their inspiration from the third.
On the fourth noor Of the Brosdway
Theatre building, just around the corner
from where the ELEVATOR lands you, is =
door on which IL tis sign ~. #. Mack
ay." 1t IL beyond that unpretentious
portal that cisrgvmen are coached In
their next Sundays sermon by . veteran
disciple OF the drama. and lawyers come
for advice and instruction as TO che most
effective method of presenting some Inn
portant Flea In court.
Mr.. Mackay ostsnsibly conducts a
school of acting. There are scores OF
such In New York. institutions to which
the stage struck young men and women
repair fer such ir rstruction as will prepare
them for . carer before the footlights.
But Mr.. Mackay II sui generis. TO be
sure he numbers among his pupils many
who are preparing for the stage but there
Is much moro interesting class.
They are young clersymen and young
lawyers; and some Of them are not 90
very young either. You will doubtless
be surprised when tell you that one Of
the most prominent Prssby terian preach
ers In Now York owes much OF his elo-
quence and powers OF reasoning TO the
old white haired actor who used to spout
Shakespeare with Booth, Edwin Forrest
and McCu though. And a Jewish rabbi,
who stands at the head of bis sect, and
whose name. dare mention 1t. would be
recognized wherever the Hebrsic religion
is taught In AmerlcA, was also one of
Mr. Nackay ay's pupils.
These are only two instances. At
present the litsis "sohooi of acting"
numbers among its patrons fully as many
clergymen and lawyers as 1t does smbry-
onic actors. To be sure, they are In
structed In privats. Thy do not come
In contact with the long -naired, smooth
shaven young men and the villa eyed,
romantic younR women who have no
souls beyond desire to elevate the stage.
But they are there just the same.
The eisrsymea briuy thsir ssrmons and
the lawyers bring their dat, upon which
to tase their pleas Ihsss they lay before
the master. He acts as stage director.
There Is dress rehearsal. He il quisk
to grasp the points of tho text or the ar
gument. He outs here and be tuil1s up
there. He knows just exactly where to
bring out the proper emphasis, whore to
subdue, whers to strengthen. His long
experience In speaking the lines OF mas
ter minds has taught MIN that, for, mark
you, II. Il. MaGkay has not impersonated
Sbakespearisn characters all his life not
TO have imbibed . thorough know ledge
Of the value Of words a. to their sppiios-
tion and direct forcs.
Tie Legitimate" actor. phrase which
means lite in these days OF frothy fsrces
ard all 2 d musical comedies and being
now rlmost extinct, Ii probably the best
exponent Of public speaking extant From
Lis long association with ths works OF
the masters, he acquires not only beauty
of dictlon distinctly his OVID. bat an ar
probation OF the value Of thouaht az ex-
pressed bv others.
Ha knoxs the value Of proper em phas!.,
and is quick to perceive where q strong
thought may be strengthened by SINE
trick Of the voice or gesture. As q
teacher Of erunciation there Is mono
better. As an exponent Of that vigorous
style OF acting which the smart young
Thespian of tie presents cay, with ln-de-
steele assurances, Is won't TO term 'scene
chewing" Mr.. Mackay Is an adept
I called on him ire Other iav with
view Of ascertainina Just how his school
vas operated. but was forced TO be con-
tent with Rereralitios. MIR. Mrctay is
too much the diplomat to exIose any OF
tie secrets cf his new found profession.
] found him to lie most eourte Ius Old
gentleman, an exponent OF the old school
courtesv, tut not ore irclined TO di iruIge
any OF the secrets entruste1 to his care
urlsss assurance wers Givsn that no nd
vantage would re taken CT his DISCLOSURES.
His studio Is in itself a nook full ,f rars
interest. UTon the walls were old pro.
grams ana paintings. 1Lers were several
water calor, from the brush Of Joseph
jefferson. aid a courle cf msri.e rnint
ings tie handiworx of MIR. Macksy,
himself . FAINTER Of no mean ability.
Several creyon sketches executed by the
Old gentiemsn's son, John "A. Mackay. a
rising young art ist also adorned the
walls. Then there we're programs. ssow.
ing where MIR. Mackay appeared with
Edwin Booth, Charlotte Cushman, John
Mccullough and other equally famous
actors. One RavI his name as me N Der
of tie first company to produce that
fearful drama 'lhe Two Orphans In
this country. and another showed where
ho had taken part In the last perform.
snce over given ty that prince Of traes-
oians. Bdwin Forrest.
81 have some hesitancy In speaking of