The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03
A TITLED ACTOR.
Earl of ROsSIyn Describes His Ex-
periences on the English Stage.

pertences on the EnEl1sh StaSe'
In a recent number of the Paris Daily
Messenger The Earl of Rosslyn writes as
follows of his career as an actor:
A penny in my pocket, a cruel hunger,
a sense of the fan in my position, an en-
ticing bun shop in Mount street, real
fried in need, and a lunch of the old-fash-
toned sort at the Gale Royal were my first
introductions to the stage.
Ought I do it?" was my first query to
my friend in need.
"Will my family and the world in gen.
eral taboo me? and shall succeed in this
attempt to earn my living?" followed in
rapid succession.
"Quite right" was my friends reply,
and every one will admire your pluck and
support your
Prined with this kindly sentiment, forth
fled with an excellent lunch, l presented
rnyself-where? AT the st. James theater,
whose manager, Mr.. George Alexander,
grst introduced me to Mr. Pinero. new
Elay of Mr.. Pineros was to be produced at
the Court theater, end Mr.. Boucicaub, was
Mr.. Chudleigh's mtnager and riSht-hand
man. By him I vas hidden to rs Duke
street. St. James, and first made my in
lIOuuCliOlt W thO Git NiNSS StNSN
OF the day.
Remonstrances, protests, warnings were
of no avail 1 knew the life was hard; my
mind was bent on active, earnest work,
and was asked TO call again and see Mr..
Pinero and hear the part read.
Just as an elephant Is different TO
mouse, so did my part in 'Trelawney OF
the Wells differ from that had essayed
as amateur in Diplomacy"
arl.r In, 1907 that I
was called as James Erskne" 20 attend
the reading of the play.
Vivid recollections have l of cold,
bright December day, the light shining
through the dress circle windows of the
Court theater, a screen surrounding the
little table on which the book of the play
rested, supported as 1t was on either side
by decanter of water and thick tum-
bier. and a semi-circle of chairs placed OPP
posite.
1 felt a stranger and an outcast in new
world, but it was not long before felt at
home in my new surroundings.
Rehearsals began-they were interesting
from their noveIty-chiliy from their sur
Misunderstanding by their results-and
so l passed TO the day of my debut on the
real stage"
was abused by the press treated coldly
by many relations and friends, looked upon
ed by a minority-I mean before the play
was produced.
The night of Dec. 20 was on us-the day
had seemed a year. Nervousness, anXi-
ETY., want of appetite had been succeed
ed by calm, resolute defiance-by feel
ing that l should not fail in a small yet
important part. The only thing l dread
ed was my hair, and what my friends
would think of the ''period"-it was about
Iii r fasN 10Th n
| good fellow-that Il meam was my part!
"Mr Ersxine, please. your call" and
| with my heart in my mouth l joined Miss
| Vambrugh, with whom my entrance was
made Thank goodness. she was there
wasn't so nervous as many of my COM
rades but don't like to think what might
| have happened If 1 had had to speak the
| first line without support.
\ "a big success" we all, behind the
scenes predicted. And 1t was.
l think l must have bought five pounds
| worth of newspapers that week-to fiatteI
! or to injure vanity. But then, tbs hui
man nature, and it did me good-made
| me, | thought more sensible.
The month of May dawned on us before
| new play was suggested, and on June
20 His Excellency the Governor" was
| produced l had had difficulties enough
couldn't faint was too tan and heavy tc
| De caught, wanted TO throw up the Ter
lines of my part, but was reasoned with
and shbjugated.
1t was a star entrance-va beeding
manhood caused not in the supposed re.
bellon but from an iron gate against
which had galloped-a faint, brief ex.
PLANTATION, a roar of laughter-and it was
| over.
The part was too small to notice, nnc
the press excused me further ignominv.
month passed by, and then "Trelaw.
ney" went on tour, Such fun we had No
all the same old cast. yet some of them
aud all of us were friends. l can't her,
deal with lodgings. Sunday trains audi
ences, and such like-I have done so be
fore.
And now goodbye to the Court theater-
or may hope for Eau revoir?" I was en-
gagged at the Garrick for Brother OH
GERS" written by my old friend and sun
porter on the amateur stage-Leo Trevor
This was In October. 1895 / had a hertz
part than heretofore-in fact. 900,
small part-and liked it, and no one wa
more sorry when the piece ended at Christ
mas, 1898, than l was.