The times., 1899-12-10


largely because the aforesaid daily bread is
earned by that work
The account Of the privations and weari-
ness and heart break attendant upou the
fulillment of Miss Nethersole's ambitions
also may be applied TO less remunerative
forms of toll. Among laymen who are ia
miiar with the yiCisstudes and attractions
of the stage there is not inexplica-
bic belief that the folk called upon to en-
dure these vicissitudes take their troubles
too seriously. With all due Difference to
the authOress of My Struggles" it is not
unusual TO find woman whose family for
generations back. has been used TO the
most uneuding Of muscular labor. COM
planning Stringently of an hour rehearsal
or at the task of learning an extra part
The writer will never forget an experience
OF last winter-an experience wholly in
this connection. The incident occurred on
a Tuesday. All night Sunday he had de-
voted 10 arduous preparation for the re-
views of the week. After rest of hardly
more than four hours he had risen TO wit
ness ana criticise an afternoon perform
ance. That evening he had heard a we'll
known comic opera star. At IL O'Clock
the entertainment was over and the writer
adjourned to his Office where. engaged i'm
penning the usual series of dramatic arti-
cles, he had remained until after o'clock
Before noon. having breakfastCd and
dressed he called on the comic opera star
aforesaid with the purpose of obtaining an
interview for later publication. The singer
was unable to see him. At she still was
inaccessible Shortly before 3 the caller
was admitted The actress met him. She
was wearing dressing gown. You must
pardon me she said ''I got up only if-
teen minutes ago. My work lasted until
midnight Surely, it is not necessary to
point a comparison
That the theatrical aspirant who TIL
umphs over animate and inanimatc foes
can do so only after long and firing effort
Is undeniable; that the effort is longer or
more firing than would be necessary in the
purchase of any other form OF triumph is
questionable. Certainly Miss NethersOle's
idea Of the possibilities of her profession is
not just idea. However extended and
suaining may have been the preparation
the field of the drama is the only field in
which hit can be made in single evening
F. Marion Crawford having hawked Mr..
lsaacs from place to place finally sold his
manuscript and the book was printed. In
the course of year il became apparent
that the story had scored heavily But
DR.. Claudius. a Cigarette Makers Ro-
nance, and several subsequent attempts
had followed at considerable Intervals, be
fore the reading public rea ly became aware
G. y N z
Mansfield was called upon TO pay the role
OF Baron Cheyrial-a small One-at short
notice and awoke TO ind himself a cele-
( brity, in New York at least. This is but
a solitary example among hundreds that
come to mind. In no art or trade do the
successful compose a larger per cent Of the
whole, in no art OF trade have the success
ful so few qualifications that would be rec
ognized among the refined and educated
3,
tors who cannot speak the Eng ism Ian
guage properly. and yet whose individual
/ incomes exceed $4,000 season.
IT, agreeing with Mrs. MalapTop com
parisons are odiferous," personalities are
not less so. Still one may be paVdoued for
thinking it odd that Miss Netharsoe of all
persons, should have written lines such as
are those quoted above. Had OLGA Neither
! sole been given the advice she gives, and
had she needed il. as doubtless she desires
/ her advice needed the star now would have
been a governess at q salary considerably
under a tenth Of her present earnings
The profession that offers such doubtful
opportunities has lifted Miss Nethersolc
from the questionable position OF iustruc-
teTess to the euyiable one of player wCOse
reputation is known on four continents.
This article is not intended as a reflection
On the actress. who is among the most ca
pable and talented of wGmen. any more than
it is intended IS encouragement to all who
think of entering her line OF labor. Miss
I NethersOle's essay assuredly was prompted
by knowledge, experience and a conscien-
,ious belief in the verify of her statements.
There can be no doubt that, in the main.
il is a wise essay. Even the present writer
/ is eager to impress the unqualified truths
that cut Of a thousand aspirants. IL is not
I likely that there than
fitted for stage careers; that in theatTicals
as in any other walk of life the only road
/ to success must be cleared with enormous
effort, that even when safely attained
such success is beset with trials and trib-
uations But. IS has been hinted all of
this might be remarked with equal justice
, of any business under the sun. The Times
1 does opine-and does not hesitate to eX-
/ press the opiniou-that much that is urged
against the adoption Of the dramatic pro-
fession as means Of winning bread is
sheer nonsense; that there are many folk
today in private life VINO might become
honorable disciples OF Thespis, and that
the same amount Of industry requisite to
achievement in journalism or law or medi-
cine Will bring greater results behind the
foOtlights.
Miss Nethersole is quite right when she
says:
want 20 raise my voice as loudly as I can
in opposition TO the crowd OF people, mostly in
competent, Who are always wanting TO 70 on
{ the stage. Il l- not ont OF any desire 10 keep
/ the profession from being OvercToWded that / say
! this, bat IL is from desire 10 save people from
modification and broken lives ipr that is the end
! OF II all iu majority of eases These
are few of the essential requirements and
wonder how many of those who lightly talk OF
going ON the stage possess ono OF them. The
/ average letter which ! receive from aspirJuts Is
am ili-~pelled JlIiug ungrammatical. and indicat-
ING i'm every line that the writer regards the stage
/ easy means of earning a lazy livelihood.
/ ono often reads letters that have been received
by managers and I dare say the public fancy
that such letters are exaggerated, but sincerely
regret TO say that it Is not 30. Some day / hope
that the dramatic profession VIII stand on the
same plane as the sister arts. and meantime, lt
! is for Ms who working in the dramatic art to
preserve lhe standard and endeavoT TO maintain
lis dignity. What can be gained bY the entry OF
such people I have referred 90 INTO our ranks T;
They cannot benefit themselves and they distinct
I ly harm the profession They 8yercrowd and clog,
/ and ultimately they themselves retire disguised
and heart broken. No, positively, it is better ,lat
! they should hc kept out. and | shall always do
/ my best 20 warn them against coming in
! / know that this article lacks encouragement
! TO the aspjrant, and that ! am likely to be
/ accused oi a dogin-thr m8ugcF policy. Today
/ the drama is more prosperous, more hOuT>hlng,
and more tolerated than ever before, and the time
/ Is fast approaching when il viii be incumbent
! upon those who are IN q position 10 do SO, %
speak ont and raise their voices in protest against
/ mediccrity. and also lay their heads together
I and devise some method or methods whereby once
/ and for all it shall he decided and determined
/ how and in what manner the stage shall b. re-
/ crutrd. Above all things. at this time. il ought
TO he borne in mind that ID is not everybody who
( is adapted to tine stage and that the divine
! law OF selection applic In his profession as in all
others After selection comes qualification. and
! qualification cannot be secured without prepara-
! ton. Train Your beginners and YOU Will elevate
| Your stage
Alheit trine harsh and bitter. this with