The times., 1899-04-09
FRIENDS OF LAST WEEK.

Really 1t must be a very terrible thing
| TO be as world-weary as are Lillian Rus
sell and Thomas O. Seabrooke When a
prima donna gets into such a condition that
the constant attention OF the calcium man
and the admiring gaze OF some two hun
dred eyes does not please her-when a
comedian ceases to feel the slightest inter-
est in the iests he is telling and in the
manner of their reception. something
should be done. Miss Russell and Mr.. Sea-
brooke are about the most biase individuals
ever created for this mundane sphere. Last
week at the Lafayette Square Opera House
great number OF persons watched both
stroll through their parts in La Belle Hell
enc and wondered how either managed TO
retain sufficient energy to live. Spectators
observed the depth and quantity of the di-
vas languor, with the tired expression in
the eyes OF Mr.. Seabrooke, while charitably
wishing that they might do something to
alleviate the very apparent distress OF both
Some boys in the gallery attempted TO rouse
the singer from her lethargy by making
caustic comments on the performance but
the expressed satire OF the deities did not
disturb her In the least. She and her COM
panion in misery continued 70 be bored at
the entertainment, bored at the audience.
| bored at themselves. and bored at being
bored 1t would be pleasing TO know IL the
duo continues to look as though 1t were
in the last stages OF spring fever when
salary day comes around
Things we're not always thus. Time was
in the dim and distant past when Mr. Sea-
brooke used TO do acrobatic stunts ali over
the stage, besides making the welkin ring
with the noisiness of his appreciation at
the venerable jests of the bucolic Joe Mill
er. Even Miss Russell seemed 10 take
notice two or three minutes every even
ing while on the road in AN American
| Beauty. while a sense of rivalry which
had been well worked up by the press agent
of the Russell -Fox-D' Angels triumyirate
stirred her up TO sort OF lazy activity
during her experience with The Wedding
Day IL is true that Mr.. Seabrooke had
not then learned the troubles connected
with conducting a still hunt for aIimony,
but Miss Russell had been married many
time and Of. so that she had as much
reason for display OF weariness as now.
But II was not until last week that both
developed the malady to its fullest extent,
and, as has been said. something should be
done. Would it be rude 10 ask il Miss
Russell has ever tried Goods Sarsaparilla2
Whatever the trouble and whatever the
remedy the two stars have been on the
stage long enough to know that an actor
or an actress has some obligation to the
public. No matter how attractive Ben
nings may have been during the past few
days, or how numerous the ether ways of
diversion, both should have kept In sight
the fact that night brought work and an
assembly which had paid TO be pleased
whether Jackdaw won or Beanstalk lost
None of these people cared in the least TO
see bits of by-play between Miss Russell
and Mr.. Seabroke, or to hear lines Snug
gled in between those OF the piece. Few
were probably considerate enough TO care
whether the duo enjoyed the performances
or not. so long as they provided enjoyment.
But all had paid prices elevated TO a ridie
ulous degree, and all had a reason to ex-
pect that the promises Of the management
would be filed. Under the circumstances
the tiresome manner in which the mem
bers OF the La Belle Helene company
carried on last week was not only foolish,
but dishonest. And no matter how world
weary Miss Russell is. she should come to
realize that fact. Neither she nor Mr. Sea-
brooke has yet attained such eminsnce in
the profession that the theatregoers will
pay to see them exhibited They must
make some return for the money expended.