The times., 1899-01-16
THEATRICALS In PORTO RICO.
Seven Stranded New York actors Do
ing IL big Rusincss There.

San Juan. Porto Rico, Jan. 15.-The the
atrical stage of this little island. which
formerly filled the purses of Spanish and
Italian opera troupes on the way to South
America. is now occupied by seven New
York vaudeville actors, who were stranded
in Caracas at the time of the Venezuelan
revolution in February, 1898. Since then
these actors four Americans and three
Japanese. have played in most of the West
Indian ports, and now form the first com
pany from the United States to amuse ana
entertain the theatre going Porto Ricans
In November, 1891, the actors left New
York with the Stickney & Donovan Circus
Company. and, after filling engagements
at the coast towns on the way, reached the
exposition fair at Caracas early in Feb
ruary 1898, just at the outbreak of the
revolution. Before they had played be-
tween the bull fights in the arena week
the circus suddenly broke up and left many
of the sixty members penniless.
Unable to walk home on railroad ties.
the seven players referred to formed
company with Alfred Sutcliffe as manager.
He induced a German steamship company
to carry them as deck passengers to Trini-
dad Island Here at Port OF Spain the
company gave its first performance, reg
ular variety show, under the shade OF palm
and cocoanut trees. After this modest
start The Sutcliffe and Royal japanese
ed ten other towns on the island, George
town, British Guiana. and later most OF
the villages In the Windward Islands. Ne
gro Spanish sympathizers at Pointe Pitre,
Guadeloupe, compelled the actors to seek
the protection of the American consul in
June.
But more stirring incident, which
forced the actors to flee for their lives,
occurred on the night of July % at the
at Thomas n
corations, as usual, were the flags OF all
nations including the red and yellow
Spanish emblem and the red, white and
blue of the United States. During the
performance the second on the island, an
American newspaper correspondent, wish
ing to stir up some patriotism, persuaded
the circus clown, a young member OF the
company, to take down the Spanish flag.
Acting on the spur of the moment the
clown climbed to the top Of the stage,
tore away the little red and yellow rag
and dropped TO the floor with his prize.
Spanish refugees and sympathiZers in
stantly rose in a body and filed the theatre
with their cries. Iniamed by this insult.
they attempted to wreak vengeance on
the clown But dressed as Japanese
boy, he escaped uninjured with the other
members of the company through a rear
stage door. The enraged Spaniards then
went to the island government officials and
secured an order directing the actors to
leave the city within twenty-four hours.
Manager SutclifTe accordingly hired the
only available craft in port, an eighteen
foot sloop with negro captain, and set
sail before daylight for the nearest foreign
shore, Porto Rico. At the end of a three
days voyage the actor adyenturers landed
on this Spanish possession at little fish
ing village five miles east of Ponce.
On the same day the American troops
reached Ponce the Sutcliffe and Japanese
troupe arrived from the East and took
possession Of the pretty little theatre. On
the night Of August 10. under the protec-
tion Of military guard, the company
save the first cf five performances in
Pence. For an orchestra it secured mu
sicians from the military bands. Accord
ngiy, when the later transports arrived
from the United States. the soldiers, in
stead OF meeting the Spanish aring. saw
the big sign:
/: CONTINUAL PERFORMANCE ::
{: From - to 10 ::
:: BIG AMERICAN AND JAPANESE COMPANY. ::
Most Of the spectators were soldiers. Of
fcers and newspaper correspondents. They
befrended the STRANDED :ctors. and gave
them, by furnishing a good attendance,
enough money TO buy material for 4 road
outfit Late in August the company
started on tour of the island. aad after
playing in YaucO. MayagIez, Aguad'lla
and Arecibo, reached San Juan, on the
north coast. in December. Naturail,,
their journey over the rough mountain
roads in the rainy season compelled the
players, especially Mrs. Sutcliife. to en-
dure many hardships, bu, they met with
no viN.nce from the natives. From VII
lage to village they Travelled in six Cx
carts, with their hCme-made circus tent
and stage settings. AT NdyagIlaE and
Arscibo the company played to houses
composed almost exclusively If the Eiev-
enth Infantry and Sixth ImmuGes, respect
lively
In the small villages without theatres
the company plays in the circus tent.
Whenever possible the advance agent Sc
cures an orchestra. either from the mill
tary bands or from the native musicians.
On many nights the only music is fur
nished by guitar and a Spanish instru-
ment called a guiTos, which the native
player SCrdpeS with a broisen-o umbrella
rib. Advertising photographs, which have
been punched fun of holes by the native
boys, stili attract and interest large
crowds. Notwithstanding the patched-up
outfit the company plays to oro"ded
houses, and always stirs up plenty OF en-
thusiasm. Each performance is a regular
variety show, with japanese trapeZe and
aCrobatic work. 2 SleiElI-Ot- hand act.
tight-rope balancing and walking, clown
tricks and music on the bagpipes Aero
batic and clown acts invariably please the
natives and meet with hand clapping.
whistlinG stamping and cheers for the
Americans and japanese. The Scottish
hagpipes on tie other hand, because of
their resemblance TO a Spanish inStru
mcrt. always get rOundly Kissed.
An old military tent makes comfort
able home for the actors in the country.
Mrs Sutciiffe then acts as cook, aud gives
her hcardors one dish the native labOrers
never touch. pie. For transportation. OK
carts can always be hired. Manager Sut-
cliife now expects to stay on the island
until Spring, and hopes to make twO COM
plete circuits before he starts for home
with his American company.
Within the last few weeks. two other
amusement attractions have Invaded the
island Il magician and 4 Yankee manager
with an outfit OF flying horses. Peter
James. the Yankee, came here from Maine
on a little coastiug schooner with a cargo
of New England potatoes. His dying
horses now draw great crowds. and if as
popular through the country as in San
Juan. will prove Il good investment, for
the natives. men. women and children in
ages from five TO sixty years. tumble over
one another in order to get a seat. Others,
who have no copper cents, surround the
tent to emily the hand piano tunes.
White Wings" My Bonnie Lies over
the Ocean. or Sweet Marie"
ARMY BILL MAY NOT PASS.