The times., 1899-05-14

A series Of bills and frames in front of
the Columbia Theatre announces the fact
that Sweet Lavender" will be followed at
the house in question by new play. en-
titled Private John Allen The piece
was purchased by Charles B. Hanford i'm
mediateIy after he had determined upon
quitting the MeLean-Tyler- Hanford tri-
umvirate, and it is staged here both for
trial and because the managers of the
Frawleyc Company believe that the stran
gers who are to be in town during Jubilee
week Will be more attracted by the an
nouncement of a novelty than by that of
familiar yellow back" Considerable i'm
portance is also attached to the fact that
Mr.. Hanford. who is said to appear to as
good advantage in trousers as in his toga,
will be seen in the title role. If Private
John Allen" gives any promise of merit
the Shakespearean actor will take 1t out
on the road next season.
Said Bert Williams, the darky comedian,
a short time ago: There is nothing more
interesting to me than the rapid strides
being made by the colored entertainer. Not
many years have passed since he was prac-
tically unknown to the theatregoing pub
lie and now he occupies a position that
will continue to exist as long as nc Is able
to produce laughter. There was a time
stage matters would have appeared revolt
ing, and even when he did break down that
barrier the field was limited. Colored
women were not seen at all until recently.
when the late Sam T. Jack put on female
minstrel first part with his Creole show.
This was received as a great innovation
and the attraction drew tremendous houses.
With it Manager Jack formed the nucleus
of his fortune. making over 100000 with
the combination in less than three years.
Next John Isham opened up as a compet-
itor and introduced his Forty Minutes
Around the Operas, which has proven very
popular. Then Black Patti Cole and john
son, and others followed suit, while my
partner and myself are trying very hard
to carry negro entertainment before the
better class Of people. We seem to have
been remarkably successful SO far and 1
confidently expect that our efforts will
result in a great expansion of the field for
the race to which We belong
1t has been said, and truly said that.
despite Shakespeare's sighting remark on
the value of the player to the play. the
impressiyeness of performance is largely
due to the manner in which the smaller
roles are enacted. This being true. it must
be acknowledged that much of the humor
In Charles O'Malley." as it was done last
week at the National, and much of the
pleasure that the audiences derived from
that humor. may be laid TO the account of
Claude Gillingwater, the exceptionally tall
man who was seen as famous Irish duel
ist. Mr.. Gillingwater's great height gave
him a ludicrouS appearance, of which he
was not slow to take advantage by intro
ducing number OF small but congruous
and laughable characteristics. His drollery
was irresistible. his dialect excellent, and
his entire impersonation most creditabie.
While Edwin Booth might never have been
famous had he been compelled to continue
saying THE carriage waits nightly. and
while few critics will be likely to notice
Mr.. Gillingwater In his tiny role, the fact
that he is really an able fellow and that
he shows 1t under adverse circumstances is
worthy of mention.
One rainy morning last week Selene
Johnson stood in the lobby of the Column
bia Theatre looking anxiously into the
wet street. A Times critic sought shelter
in the corridor and the two were intro
duced by Frank Murray who dilated some
what upon the business of the late-comer.
From daily newspaper" exclaimed
Miss Johnson. Delightful Do you know
that, though all sorts of things have been
written about me since / have been On the
stage. l have never been interviewed and
have always had some curiosity on the
subiect?"
The Times man explained that the pro-
cess was very simple.
Il don't see how 1t can be that" re-
marked the actress. Il should think you
would get all out of subjects and make
each of your talks like the rest. Then
but I'm exceedingly ignorant concerning
the matter. Supposing you interview me
just for fun?'
The Times man assented and asked Miss
Johnson's opinion OF stock companies.
Well" she said, in my estimation, like
little learning, stock company is a
dangerous thing. There can be no doubt
that for a period such an organization is
invaluable as a school for the player. But
it is also true that ultimately. unless the
director is wonderfully clever and excess
sively strict, the student becomes trifle
careless. Not only does the understand
ing of little roughness which 1t is beyond
her power TO correct in a short time-say
the week usually given for rehearsal
contribute to this, but the knowledge that
audiences come to like her rather than
her work also has a share in her negli-
gence. She begins to cease worrying over
the details of her parts. especially since
her labors are not OF the lightest. and then
she gets into habits that are most detri-
mental later on. Still, with proper care.
an experience OF the sort Is valuable and
assists one in many ways"
The Times man asked If Miss johnson
thought it fair 10 make the patrons of a
theatre pay with their presence for this
tuition.
NO one makes them pay" she replied
If people attend the performances pro-
vided it is because they like them. In
most cases resident combinations furnish
most enjoyable renderings OF good plays
and what they lose in the smoothness OF
their entertainments the audiences gain
in comparing the work done and in study
ing the individuals. While 1t cannot be
expected that seven days OF rehearsal and
study will make men and women perfect
in their roles the pieces given are generally
familiar and the coacher is able to supply
ideas so that they are grasped in an in
slant instead of being the outcome of a
fortnights thought. There may be 0c-
casional faults in the interpretations. but
the general effect is almost always pleas
| ing. Then. you know, theatregoers do not
pay the rate to see a stock company that
| is demanded by the managers OF road COM
bnations.''
| The Times man asked for some details
concerning Miss Johnsons experience.
There isn't much to tell" quoth she
"I am a graduate of the American Academy
OF Dramatic Art / studied hard while in
| New York. and did so well with the part OF
Ann Cruger in a school performance OF
The Charity Ball that ! was engaged as
an understudy at the Lyceum. Then
| played leads through the southern portion
of the country for three years in The Cir
| Left Behind Me- and was for some time
with The Great Diamond Robbery. Next
| went to the Alcazar Theatre. in sar
| Francisco, where | was engaged by Mr.
| Frawley With his troupe l visited Homo
| lulu and returnn1 Then | spent q sum