The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-15

Julia. Arthur's act in putting out of
the theater a party of people who an
nOyed her so that she could not con-
tinue her piece, continues to be the
reigning sensation in New York theat-
rical circles. The party. consisting of
two ladies and d gentleman, occupied
a prominent upper box. Julia Arthur
and her company were presenting the
play More than Queen which Is en-
1oytng a long run at the Broadway
In the middle of the third act Miss
Arthur raised her arm and cried loud
~. Those people must leave the
house" Everybody looked astonished
and a pin could have been heard to
fail. Then Miss Arthur. with appraised
arm still pointed toward the box, said:
4 refuse TO go on with the play unless
those people leave the theater."
The curtain was rung down and the
ladies, one a young woman of about
twenty. quietly filed out. The curtain
then rose and the play proceeded. 1t
was the younger Of the two women,
Miss Arthur said who had persistenty
annoyed her during the evening with
quiet laughter in the most serious lines.
To add to The trouble, the people have
sued Miss Arthur for defamation of
character, and the case viii bring UP
some Interesting points concerning the
rights Of a star as viewed through legal
eyes.
While it was undoubtedly annoying
to Miss Arthur to be treated in this
way, the persons in the box, on the
other hand. claim that they were mere
~ enjoying the play, like the rest of
the audience; and that it was unjust
and ugly to select them out, as a ter
Tible example OF bad breeding.
Miss Arthur, however, has the sym
pathles OF the entire theatrical pro-
fession. Her fellow actresses claim that
II was the duty of the manager to eject
offending people from the audience, but
to this Henry Miller retOrted by say
ing, Yes, but where was the mana
ger?"
FOOTLIGHT TEMPERS
Actresses, being necessarily high
strung and sensitive, have been noted
from the earliest record of the stage
for their brilliant tempers. The more
talented the actress the more apt she
was to fly off upon a tangent at the
slightest prOvOcatiOn.
As long ago as when the incompara-
bic Charlotte Cushman was delghting
the world with her stage interpreta-
tions there were examples to show that
talent was not without it's temper.
Charlotte Cushman was playing Ham
let in boys clothes and all the great
world of theater-gOers was present to
behold her. During Hamlet's scene
with Ophelia a man in the audience
sneezed loudly and with a long drawn
Chalotte Cushman stopped and gIared
at the man Then. quietly leading
Ophelia off the stage. she approached
the footights and said. in a loud. firm
tone. viii somebody put that person
out?' Every ybOdy sat stiu. If some
3 gentleman doesn't, I will" said Miss
Cushman, rolling up her sleeves. The
individual got up and sneaked out of
the theater.
Ada Rehan once lost an article Of
dress upon the stage 1t was during
rehearsal There was q terrifying snap,
and a critical moment seemed at hand.
But Miss Rehan was equal to it.
Leave the STAGE she said to the as
t0nished company, i wish to be alone"
There was a seconds hesitancy while
they stood looking at each other. Il
wish to be alone" said Miss Rehan. in
an angry tone; and then she quietly
sank upon the stage in time to avoid
an unpleasant scene. Those present de
clare that there was an OmfnOus light
in her eyes to show that her temper
was up
Madge Kendall is said to have the fin
est temper of any actress prominently
before the footlfghts; and many are the
tales told of it. One story is of how,
one one occasion, Mrs. K endal was tend
ing table at bazaar, selling autograph
cabinet pictures of herself for sums
ranging all the way up to $25. After
awhile, even the occupation of selling
photographs became monotonous and
Mrs Kendall got out of sorts. She even
resented the compliments that were be-
ing showered upon herself.
A certain young woman, a Miss Rich
of New York approached and picking
up a photograph said, I am greatly in
debted to YOU. Mrs. Kendall, for many
pleasant evenings
Wen those evening are past and
gone. Do you want to buy that photo
graph2'
Yes said the girl. abashed- How
Mrs Kendall picked up a pen and
wrote on it the great characteristic
black letters. "Madge Kendall"
The picture said she, lis one dol
lar, and you can pay as much as you
please for the autograph"
Very we'll said the now alive New
York girl, Il viii pay you Il dollar for
FTFrr rE4T
autograph" And seizing her prize she
walked away, while Mrs. Kendall took
to her smelling salts
Lillian Russell's stage spat with At
teie Claire in Boston is still an awe
inspiring thought to those who were
present Miss Russell was the head of
the company and Miss Claire in the
cast But Miss Claire had many ad-
mirers in the city and night after night
they passed flowers up over the foot
lights to her while the fair Lillian
stood and looked on. one night Miss
Russell vowed that it was all in bad
taste That same night Miss Claire's
admirers sent up a dozen baskets and
nearly a cartl0ad of flowers. The stage
was fun of them When Miss Russell
saw her assistant thus turned into the
star of the company, she refused to go
on again and next day Miss Claire re-
signed. why, if I had wanted roses
I could have had the stage covered
yes, cOvered-with themi 1t was the
most wretched display of vulgarity I
ever beheld-'' said Miss Russell.
Miss Russell is said to have the
sweetest temper on the operate stage.
but there are things which, she says,
no self-respe woman can stand.
If an actress is afflicted with attacks
of temper a singer is subject to them
none the less. Take that beautiful wo-
man. Madame Calve and behold her
struggles to maintain her equanimity.
Filled with hottest southern blood, tai
ented and sensitive to a degree, she
feels a word as many a woman could
only feel the lash.
A PUBLIC SPAT