The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-03-19
HAZEL K|RkE'S" STORY AS TOLD
The Many Vicissitudes of the Plays First
Year and How 1t Was Forced
Into Being a Success.
Written for the Sunday Standard.

written LOT the sunday Standard
1t was in the summer of 1879 that
the original company engaged for 'Ha-
eel kirke'' was organized.
It's members included the late M.
Couldock for Dunstan Kirke, Joseph
Wheelock, sr, for Aaron Rodney, Sir
William Magnay, Bart, for Lord Tray
ers, the late Thomas Whiffen for Pitti-
Gus Green, f. Coleman for Barney
O'F'lynn, Joseph Franklin for Methu
saleh NIGHTS, Miss Alpha Merrill for
Hazel kirke, Miss Cecil Bush for Lady
Travers, Mrs. T. Whiffen for Mercy
Kirke. Miss Anna Ulsler for Clara, and
myself as Dollie Button.
The intention was to exploit the piece
on the road pending the erection of the
Madison Square theater, New York,
and in the event of its success. to
launch it there as the opening attrac-
ton.
The money for the enterprise was
supplied by the late Marshall Mallory,
whose connection with the religious pa
per, the Churchman, was the subject of
much comment. The late Mr.. Steele
Mackaye occupied the position of au-
thor and manager.
RehearsaIs had just commenced when
I was requested by Mr.. Mackaye to
read the part of Hazel kirlie instead uf
Dolly Dutton. I complied, and at the
completion of the mornings work was
told that I would be entrusted with the
performance of the role.
The two further changes in the cast
were Miss Gabrielle Du Saudi for Dolly
Dutton and the substitution of Frank
Weston for the part of Aaron Rodney
instead of Joseph Wheelock ST.
The tour of THE Iron WILL" as the
play was then entitled, began in Provi-
dence on the 4th of November. 1879, and
gave rise to the witticism by the late
Barley Campbell that Mr.. Mackaye
flew In the face of Providence with an
Iron WILL
Most of the principal cities were Wis
tied, but the result was disastrous
financially. Despite this condition of
affairs, Mr., Mackaye still maintained
his faith in the ultimate success of the
production and rehearsals were the or
der of the day.
1t was at this period that Mr.. Mack
aye realized the wisdom displayed in
the choice of his company. 1t was COM
posed in the main of people of wide
theatrical knowledge, and though I'M
known, practically, to metropolitan
fame, save in the instance of Mr.. Whit
fen, who had previously made a repu-
tation for himself through the medium
of the admiral in 'Pinafore." they
We're fully capable of building up and
rounding out The characters they por-
trayed: this, too with view not so
much to individual success as to har
monious ensemble.
Week after week rehearsals contin-
ued, situations We're suggested, new
lines incorporated, the originals often
eliminated, until at the close of the
tour the performance might be justly
ranked as most complete in every de-
tail.
On our return to New York city we
found the new theater still unfinished,
but Mr.. MaCkaye considered our leisure
would be well spent in the continuance
of our morning exercises, so rehearSals
began again, Eben Plympton taking the
place of Sir William Magnay as Lord
Travers, and Dominick Murray that of
Mr. Weston as Aaron Rodney.
An episode at this juncture will pos
sibly not be out of place, and will serve
to show how important part chance
plays in the worlds theater.
A telegram announcing the possible
demise of brother in Cleveland
awaited my arrival in New York city.
On asking permission to make the jour-
ney home, Mr.. Mackaye granted it with
the provision that if I were not at the
scene of our rehearsals by the follow
ing Wednesday (this being Sunday he
should feel it necessary to replace me
in the part of Hazel Kirke.
The improved condition of my brother