The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-14
CHATS WITH THE PLAYERS.

s..
/, CHATS WITH THE PLAYERS.
The James T. Powers whom reporter
met on Wednesday at the Arlington Diff
fered from the James L. Powers he had
seen the evening before. with "a Run
away Girl" only in the trifing matter Of
makeup. Even this variance in appear
anee proved small. The man had the same
reddish hair. the same characteristic nose.
and the same quizzical expression that had
been noted in the comedian. When he
spoke it was with all the brevity and brisk
| ness OF FIipper, the jockey. who while ap-
plying for the position Of courier. was
asked how long he had remained in Africa,
and unhesitatingly answered: over
night" Mr.. Powers is business like in
dividuaI. too. He appreciates the salient
points of an interview. and consumes
neither his time ncr that OF his questioner
with details unnecessary to the story in
hand. Thus, upon understanding that his
biography was desired he quietly laid aside
his paper, and commenced the wished-for
narrative
Il suppose" said he. chat should be-
gin at the beginning. The beginning was
my birth. l was born in New York. Peo-
pie not theatrical Ran away with cir
Gus when youngster. Didn't like the life
and quit. Went into the variety profess
sion. Kearney aad Powers was the team
name. and We kept it for two seasons.
Spent u year In stock company at Adlbles
Theatre. in Gotham. Then Willie Edouin
and his wife. Alice Atherton. started an
American tour Of 'Evangeline.' 1 joined
them. Stayed with them through produc-
tions OF Fun in a Photograph Gallery
and nipples. Played the bellhoy in a
Bunch of Keys. Next | went to England
with Mr.. Edcuiu ard repeated the per-
formanees shown in this country. Became
one OF the famous Vokes family. panto-
mimists. Remember what was presented?
Want to know? Red Riding Hood Fun
in Fog. In Camp, and 10. OF others.
We
That was bit before my time ven
tured the critic.
II guess So" replied Mr.. Powers. 1T
should have been before mine. Amuse-
ment-lOvers here are OF the opinion that
must be an old man. Why they think.
that fellow was talked about in the 70's.'
Il never occurs to them that [ was hardly
more than a lad then. Still. that's OH the
subject Where did | leave myself? Eng
land? Well. after quitting the Vokes was
seen in a piece called Bellies Of the
Kitchen Signed with Augustus Harris for
the Drury Lane and appeared in the Christ
mas pantomime. Wilmington and His
Cat At the Empire. which was theatre
vet. and not a music hall | worked in 4
success named Chill Perick.' Believe it is
spelled Chill P-e-r-i-c-k' Went back
to the provinces. Came to the United States
again Going too fast for you? No Spent
two seasons with n Tin Soldier. Took
Francis Wilson's place at the Casino. which
then was under the management OF Ru-
dolph Aaronson. Produced The Marquis.
Madeleine The Yeoman of the Guard
Nadji. and Ermiuie. Rich e Harris |
starred me for three years in a Straight |
Tip and a Mad Bargain Also starred in |
Toolc's Walker London Charles FrOh |
man featured me in The New Boy. Did |
Gentleman joe 'Gentlman joe was a
failure Unwise competition. Want to
know my opinions on unwise competition
The Times man nodded
when two pieces OF the same sort are
run against each other neither ever makes
much money. The only exception can re-
member TO the rule WAS noted last sum
ner or the summer before. when E. Ii.
sotheru and James O'Neill both were doing
,ersions OF Dumas The Three Guurdsmen
IN Broadway Even then. each hurt its
.iyal a Pair of Spectacles aud y Crow
ny Hen were offered simultaneously and |
we're let alone. Want further examples?
fake The Ghetto and Children of the
Ghetto with the Daily and Hammersteln
Of La Poupee All closed
Have l proved my point?"
Yes" answered the reporter.
Where was T.
ain Gentleman Joe
ooh. yes, Next came an engagement
With Oscar Hammerstein's ill-fated santa
Maria / succeeded Jimmy Lewis at
laly's Made hits in "A Circus Girl. The
ieisha. and a Runaway Girl, That
rings me up to date. NY term with Au-
.ustin DAILY was wonderfully pleasant. The
manager had some respect for my ideas
nd was perfectly willing that | should do
$ wished with my parts. Thus. many
I the songs and most of the business in
A Runaway Girl are mine. | introduced
n much into the interpretations that,
rowing ashamed ] stopped suggesting.
me afternoon it occurred to me that |
night win laugh in La Poupee' by en-
ering the toy store on a donkey. | didn't |
Ike TO hint the plan to Mr.. Daily. So l |
aid to him: 'Mr DAILY. had dream last
light. | dreamed that | entered the toy
lore on a donkey He chuckled But the |
blowing Monday got my animal. Want !
~ opinion Of Mr.. DAILY? Yes? Well
,ell. say what nice things you please You
ant think better Of him than I do. but |
robably you can say what you think more |
l guess that's all Have
inch? No? Glad to have met you. Good
ay."
And Mr.. Powers. paper in hand. walked ,
Dward the dinInE-room His visitor Iook-
Il at the clock and smiled. The interview
ad taken just eight minutes.
Says Frank BOuman: II wonder If those c
'ho compose theatre audiences ever think
I the worries and troubles which may be !
espOnsible for the defects they notice in /.
players efforts. Ny wife. Rose Adele. .
tho works opposite me in my sketch. The a
'oOr Key was taken seriously Ill on Sat a