The times., 1899-06-25


his three weeks salary and his co-workers
grew suspicious of him. Annie Buckley
didn't say much, but did a lot Of tall
thinking. All the time the crowd kept
storming at the Luckett citadel and at
tempting TO touch" Legally none of the
money belonged TO the house until Saturday
night and yet some of the actors were
eased of and set to work rehearsing
Christopher, Jr." just TO keep their minds
off their troubles. Percy Leach. who had
set his salary low so he would not lose
much if he didn't get it, about described
the situation when he said the crowd would
rehearse for three minutes and when
brilliant scheme struck Gabrielle or some
Of the others. a half hour would be spent
in promiscuOus discussion. This was the
situation on Thursday, when new Rich
mond appeared on the field with a power
of attorney signed by careful Mr.. Conn.
This good Samaritan went into the melee
solely out of good feeling toward his fel-
low men and women. having been sort
of an actor himself once upon time. HIS
advent at this crisis was not Inclined 10
promote harmony, and when one OF the
crowd discourteously insinuated that ne
was moved by worldly desire for pelf, Mr.
Philanthropist quit right then and there,
and drew back in his shell. Other induce
ments were used and he again took charge
| of the business end of the deal, though his
| lawyer demanding per cent OF the gross
| receipts as a recompense.
Summing up the whole affair, it seems
that the actors had not the least right TO
demand a cent until their first weeks
work was done, and had Mr. Conn so in
formed them all would have been lovely
Mr.. Blanchard's fright followed the balk
| of the company and carried him away.
| 1t would not have been a healthy
|
away The house managers have been
actuated solely by motives OF hu-
manity and a desire TO accommodate their
patrons, and like modern Winkelreids,
| took into their manly breasts the sheaf
of actors gibes and suspicious. They now
wish they had closed the house on Mon
day and sent the audience home. Mr.
Samaritan Philanthropist is again I'M
bued with the belief that he would better
have stuck to his personal business In the
| Census Office, and the actors wish they
were in New York, not being used to the
city where they might buy gold bricks
did the financial situation warrant. They
really are too green to be out alone,
where the horses might eat them.
However, several of the crowd inVesti-
| gated, and found that Mr.. Conn had been
| financially reliable whenever he mad pre-
yiously engaged people. He had secured
his costumes and the manuscript OF the
play somehow, and started his little
| plunge for glory in better shape than do
most of the metropolitan managers. Had
the actors remained calm and unstam-
peded, the season might have been both
pleasant and profitable to all concerned.
As it was, these intellectual and artistic
| Samsons not only pulled down the temple
but crushed themselves in the wreck. The
previously told event of last night brought
| the final fall OF the curtain upon thls
! memorable tragedy, only equaled IN pa
thetic incidents by the untimely demise
Of George Buckler's company two years
ago.
With the recruiting of A. T. Seaman in
the constantly-accruing army OF Washing
ton professionals, the Capital sends into
the dramatic battlefield another gallant to
struggle with theatrical reviewers ana
coupttng-room dictators. Mr.. Seaman
leaves today for New York, where he will
assume the task of supplying publicity of
| the deeds and talents Of Frederick Warde,
who stars alone in the classic and ro-
mantle hereafter. Being young man OF
| considerable dramatic taste, newspaper
writer OF experience, and gentleman OF
| talent, tact, discernment, and attractive
| personality, there seems no logical reason
1 for his possible failure, and his number
less friends anticipate for him a career OF
much promise For the present he will
confine his efforts to the metropolis, and,
| with the commencement of the fast ap-
preaching season, will go out ahead of
! the robust Warde and inform the people
of his triumphant advance. Inasmuch as
the tragedian's tour extends to the Pa
| cific Slope there is a transcontinental trip
in view for ''Thad' at least. Few, indeed.
e NVev1 90
cure an engagement with a star like Mr..
Warde in their first season.
A good many people have been wonder
ing for the past several years why Jack
Gilmore continued as leading man of the
Castle Square Company in Boston instead
Of accepting Metropolitan engagements Of
fered every now and then. It seems that
his intention is to eventually star when a
play to his liking is securable, and he
wishes Boston as a foothold. With this
end in view he did hard, conscientious
work In the city OF beans and anti-eXpan-
sionists and won for himself a coterie OF
lasting friends who will make the inaug-
uration of his starry course a blaze OF
glory. One noticeable characteristic OF Mr.
Gilmore is his careful study OF the quail
ties of the man he is to represent.
Il object decidedly to this term person
ality as applied to an actor" said the fine
looking fellow the other afternoon as he
Joined a Times representative in banishine
warmth through the aid of couple oi
tankards of something cooling and refresh
ing ITO me there is only one ideal oi
success-perfect impersonation. The ques-
ton an actor should ask himself is not
What would do In this and this situa-
ton? but rather What would the man
represent in this part do in the case? Il
this idea were carried out, there would be
better actors. Yet the people-includinl
the critics, also-speak OF a man possess
ing a charming personality, and all thai
sort OF thing. l know persons like those
of strong characteristics, but those traits
should be transmitted to the man imper-
sonated, and he will receive all the more
credit. Acting is both subjective and OBJ.
jective / see a man walking down the
street who fits the part am called upon tC
play. ! study his acts, initiate his walk
covet his mannerisms until they become
a part of me as far as possible. Then
when / go on to do a part l am certain
author and cannot be shaken from my be.
lief in my correctness.
You ask me about that peculiar troubl,
| In Boston. II was a disagreeabie affair
and do not care to again discuss 1t. Suf.
fee it to say that have received two Of
fers to return to the company at my OWL
terms. and have had the pleasure OF de-
clining. Some of these days, when | ge
play / like, / know l can go out ant
receive hearing in at least one of the bil
cities OF the country. | look at the pro-
fession as a business investment, and in.
tend to make the most of my opportu.
mites. ! have several friends who Will
back me when / go out for myself. anC
will receive a respectful treatment in my
old stamping grounds. Immediately after