The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-08
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Of grotesque acrobats, says that thess
theatres never enjoyed more prou.do's
season than the present. In frisco Gun
day Is the day on which the largest az
diences gather. Mr.. Grard, whose juds-
ment as to the value OF speclalties Is indi-
Gated by the prosperity OF the circuit,
says that there are acts which score
tremendous hit IN one city and encounter
the worst sort OF a frost" in others.
John Carter Of Creston Clarke's com
pany, is 50 years old. His father witnessed
the burial OF Richard Brinsiey sheridan.
author OF The School for Scandal" ITS
going on 10 seventy years years now since
/ first stepped on the stage 10 play said
he 10 Washington Post man. Seventy
long years, and yet II seems hardly a
fortnight since I had 10 study doz'h
parts a week Now don't take up a book
once a month TO study. l have not stud
led a Shakespearcan part in 30 years. and
l believe / have played nearly every
character IN every play that shakespeare
wrote. Yes. 1 believe ! am the Oldest
actor I'm the world to-day now acting
And / am more / am the oldest railway
traveller I sat on George Stephenson
knee when he took his first locomotive
from Darlington 20 Stockton ne I'm
gland He has acted I'm companies head
ed by Macready. Forrest Irving. Booth
Charlotte Cushman and Keane: the latter
, two. he says, were the greatest players
he ever saw.
Ellie Ellsler's father. now q years old.
IS a member Of the James idder-HaufOrd
combination. lie claims 10 be the Oldest
American actor on the stage to-day jos
eph jefferson is his only rival. but he
claims a few years seniority over the dean
of American comedy. whose partner h-
was in the early nfties. IL WAS at his
theatre I'm Cleveland that Clara Morris
later the most popular emotional star NJ
the country. made her FIRST appearance In
the chorus. the ballet and afterward in
small utility parts El.s.er recommended
her 10 DAILY and she gained her oppor-
tunity there. James Lewis, long leading
comedian OF Days stock company, also
got his first training under DIR. Eiisier.
and Mrs Gilbert another DAILY faVOrite.
James O'Neil. tho present OCULAR 70
mantle star. Joseph Haw0rth. r'ckoned
one OF the best leading men. now Win
"The Christian" Roland Reed. the COM
edy star. and many others were members
of Ellslers stock at various times, for ne
not only played all the standard dramas
but produced operas both granc and com
ic, with HIS own stock company. which
included chorus and ballet. Elsler has
appeared IN comedy, farce. burlesQue,
opera and legitimate drama.
The first OF series OF articles on
theatrical amusements IS printed In the
October Scribners Edwin Milton Royle
was selected 10 write the article OF The
Vaudeville Theatre" and IL Is mainly
devoted 70 the Keith Quadru9le circuit
Of theatres. Following are some extracts
from the dozen pages. These four thea
tres entertain 100000 people yearly.
give employment 10 $50 attaches and 20
$500 actors Ten thousand dollars arc paid
out TO performers IN the Circuit each week.
ANA $500 q week 20 attaches. So FAR ne
the character Of the entertainment GOES
vaudeville has tho oren door, Whatever
and whoever can interest an audience for
80 minutes or less and has passed Quaran-
tine is WEI, Cmc. The vaudeville theatre
nav be said 20 have established the COM
merclal value OF decency. This is the cor
ner-stOne. They are the only theatres
where ] feel absolutely safe IN taking
young girl without akiny preliminary
Inquiries said wel-known society wo-
man. IL Is manifest T think that vaude-
willie Is very American. II touches rs
and our lives at many places. IL appeals
10 the business man tired and worn; 70
the person who has an hour or two be-
fore 4 train goes Of before business
opportunity: TO the woman who IS wear
led OF shopping: 20 the children who love
animals and acrobats. 10 the man Win
his sweetheart or sister: 20 the individual
who wants 10 be diverted, but doesn't
want 10 think or feel: 10 the American
Of all grades and kinds who wants
great deal for his money. The vaudeville
theatre belongs TO the department store
era and the short story. II anyone has
ANYTHING exceptional in the way Of art
the vaudeville theatre is not closed 10 II.
almost lost things in my Philadelphia
dressing ROOM II was cleaned so con-
stantly."