The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-24
She IS ENTHUSIASTIC.
Miss Jessie Couthoui Says She
Enjoys Vaudeville.
Musical Dale Chats About Immensely Of
London Streator zouayss.


effective reminders OF the remarkable
development OF modern high class vau-
deville, and the comprehensiveneSs
with which il has reached out and ta-
ken unto itself the very best from ev-
cry branch of art, In the larger cities,
where vaudeville has reached its high
est state, actually displacing the ly-
platform.
Il am decidedly enthusiastic on the
subject OF vaudeville" said Miss Cou-
thoui, in a little chat in her dressing
room at Kefth's this morning. II do en-
Joy IL so much. Perhaps that's only
natural when one is successful; but
certainly II Is most pleasant and con-
genial life. One is so Independent, you
know; and then one is always treated
with so much kind consideration and
thoughtful courtesy by all the em-
ployes OF such a manager as Mr.. Keith.
You know, / made my vaudeville
debut at his New York house; and
what a grand circuit II Is for perform
ers now, with four such magnificent
theatres. the finest In all the world,
where the entire atmosphere is one OF
artistic refinement and beauty.
perhaps not altogether, though I've
not done any of that for two seasons
now. i was engaged for a month by the
Boston Star Course management this
spring. and was to have had for my
support the Temple Quartet and other
similar talent: but IT'S the unexpected
that always happens. and after a long
career OF success, the Star Course fail
ed.
when l first went into vaudeville
my act consisted Of three or four reel
ltations; but, though l have large
repertory, / couldn't find the required
variety. for you know vaudeville audi
ences are very much more exacting and
critical than concert audiences. They
are cosmopolitan. they get the very
best in every line and they expect Ii
always. l don't agree with those who
say that Providence audiences are
cold for I'm sure | never played to
more appreciative audiences anywhere,
none for whom | more thoroughly en-
joyed endeavoring to put forth my
best efforts for their entertainment.
Yes, il is a big undertaking for one
person. with a monologue. TO hold the
stage for twenty-five minutes ana
make good as they say; and i would
be hardly human If 1 did not confess
TO my delight over my success in doing
IL here in Providence and elsewhere on
y
never regret my Jump into vaudeville.
The title Of my act? oh. / call IL
simply Little Scenes in Life; ana
don't YOU think ii a most happy title
for a monologue such as j am present~
ing, giving glimpses, as 1t does. of so
many sides OF human character as one
meets il almost every day.?
'I don't believe there is any one
thing that will give one so adequate an
idea OF the immensity OF London said
Musical Dale. as he stood waiting for
his turn TO go on at keith's, las the
length of time that a performer can
play I'm that city. There's no difficulty
at all in holding an engagement right
In that one city for n whole year. You
see, they hardly expect the same peo-
pie 10 get around to any particular
house more than once in six months:
and one can easily do precisely tho
same act night after night for three or
four months in one house; and then,
If he wants to go to another house for
a similar term. he can return again for
another similar engagement rhe
floating population, from which the
theatres and music halls draw largely,
OF course is so immense that unless
in some sucl way as this 1t rs brought
tc Jur attention, yoL san h1tdly COM
pTehend ii.
try. who think a two-weeks' engage
ment at one theatre is something OF
which 10 be proud and so it'is. don I
begin to realize what a field there is
over there. especially for an act that
does not depend on any language. Mp-
sic. Of course, is universal. cosuopoli-
tan: people love II everywhere. And
/ have found my work equally appre-
ciated in England. Germany and even
f,ir n MI = Dt
the Alhambra in London and they gave
me n new title over there. describing
me as n 'campanalogist That may pe
staggerer to you, until you stop TO
think Of its derivation, when you will
see its appropriateness, for IL signifies,
as you see one skilled in the art Of
ringing bells.
"Oh, no, the bells and concertina are
not the only Instruments ] play; but
at present I couflne my act to them. for
I find that people seem to enjoy a real
ly refined and artistic act OF that kind
thoroughly, and of~ourse our business
is TO give the public what it seems TO
Ike most.
"Yse, I'm going back to Europe. out
and then make n Western tour; and my
opening engagement at the London Al |
hambra is for fNelve weeks"
Those who keep themselves informed !
regarding theatrical affairs in New
York and Boston readily understand |
the great treat that is In store for pat
rons OF Keith's theatre next week. |
when the celebrated Streator Zouaves |
OF Streator, Ills. are 10 be seen I'm their !
wonderful military evolutions and |
clever illustrations OF military tactics. |
and in their remarkable wall-scaling |
feat. I'm which the entire company OF 10 |
young men climb a wall 20 feet in 4
height at the rear OF the stage in six 1
seconds, with nothing whatever on |
which 20 stand or with which TO assist |
themselves other than their muskets. |
During the past six weeks, the other /
theatres OF the Keith circuit have been \
filed to ovcrhowing daily during the /
engagement OF this most expensive and |
attraction ever presented IN |
and day after day the vast l
audiences have become so enthusiastic |
that they have risen TO their feet and |
broken out In loud and prolonged |
cheers. The act is said 20 be one inn l
possible to describe adequately. but the |
New York sun. which sell /
dom finds space for enthusiastic COM