The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-04-02
LILLIAN RUSSELL QUITS.
La Belle Helene" to Lose It's Prima
D~opna-RumOr About tho Hoppers.

..La Belle Helene" to Lose Its Primn
Dopna-Rumor About the Hoppers.
It was said yesterday that Lillian Russell
was dissatisfied with the manner OF her re.
ception in Philadelphia on Monday night when
Edna Wallace Hopper got most OF the ap-
plause in La Belle Helene" The audience
il said to have been made up chiefly OF stu
dents OF the University OF PENNSYLVANIA. who
applauded Mrs. Hopper with enthusiasm. but
ignored Miss Russell. who. as the prima donna
Of the company.i is not accustomed to suchNtreat-
ment. Miss Russell did not demand Mrs. Hop
per's resignation. but decided to get out her
self at the end OF the present week. Her con-
tract REQUIRES her to remain with George Led
erer OF the Casino for six weeks more. But
Miss Russell will in all probability return to
New York one week from to-day and leave the
company without a prima donna. AS La
Belle Helene was revived for Miss Russells
sake. it Is not probable that the managers IN
the cities in which she is engaged TO appear
will be satisfied to accept a substitute.
That Miss Russell will in all probability re-
| tire is q settled fact. But Mrs: Hopper's Phil
| adelphia POPULARITY has, nothing to 40 win
the matter. The prima donna discovered only
nnany Tor the remainder OF tho season. was al.
most entirely devoted to towns In which only
sell viii not sing in what are Technically known
as "one.night stands" Various managers
have IN vain reDresenIeu " Nor thc
wards that would come from such q tour. Miss
Russell is known in the large cities, but the
smaller towns have only seen her photographs
| and heard Of her husbands. This 10 Quite rea-
sonably thought to have inspired the villages
with a burning desire 70 see me S. Ah aIwaxs
been firm on this point. however, She says
that the golden harvest awaiting her in the
small towns can be plucked IRON me horny-
handed a9ricul .urist Just as ene&tlVeiy ZEN
10 wait until that time. For this reason ana
not because OF any offended dignity she VIII
return ,oon to New York.
A more interesting piece OF theatrical news
was being discussed hy me actors yesteTuay
union Of De Wolf Hopper and his former vile.
Idna Wallace Hopper. was Il practical certain-
" Tor next season, Mr., Hopper is said TO have
made an offer to mis- wife some weeks ago and
in ali probability 1t will be accepted. Mrs
ager Yesterday. would have some share In de-
termining the organization OF the, company.
IL will. al all events. he so organized as 10 con-
lain no members objectionable to her on per-
turn TO her former husbands company. but
his old manager and nrchrstra director,
Messrs. Stevens and Hiller-are also expected
TO rcsu ne their iormer worE. with him.
Mr.. Hopper probably helleSesi salu me
manager who gave this intormation To- TIE
SUN, THAT an actress OF Mrs. horpers kind Is
necessary. or. at all events. advanLageoua 10
his com pany. There was tax OF DeiIa fo1
returning 10 his SUPPORT, but tilat ldea mas
been given UP The puSilc h as Dec" anm sc Snnh
actress as his former wife. 40 moi nelleVe
that any contracts have as yet been signed;
hut there is Low very little doubt that MIR. anu
Mrs. Hopper will be found acting together
next year"
The Fresh EEg Signs.