The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-30
FRIENDS OF LAST WEEK.

The most favorable time for learning
the real character of professional people
is just after performance-especia If
it has gone successfully. This was the
experience ot Times reviewer on Mon
day evening when In the Palace of the
King" was first presented to a city audi
ence. The trio with which he found him
self was composed of william Norris, the
Adonis of the production; Robert t.
Haines. the Don John. and Lorlmer Stod-
dard, the adapter. Each in his way is a
uniquity in professional circles. as the ex-
perience of the Times man proved. The
few minutes walk from the National to
a nearby hostelry was devoted to free
discussion of the merits and GcGierits OF
the production and play, in which all
joined with equal fervor and frankness.
At the hotel the reviewer and the pro-
fessionals INDUCED in an informal supper,
and the conversation ensuing took on the
character of Coffee and Repartee." The
popularity of the talk, as contrasted
with others INDUCED in by actors and
playwrights. was that each of the trio dis
cussed the characteristics of the others.
Usually. t6teFs are 50 busy discussing
themselves saat they can think of no one
else. mueh less talk about them.
1T seems pretty hard for fellow to get
back into the regular line after doing a
season in stock doesn't it?' said Mr.. Stod-
dard, addressing his remark to Mr.. Haines,
VINO was gingerly munching a savory chop.
In stock companies a leading man has
everything about his own way, your parts
are the best ever written, and the matinee
girls just think you are the real thing
You Will have TO swallow your pride once
in a while this season.
Yes, know that" replied Mr. Haines.
But you seem to have very little pride
to swallow. Why dIdn't you come on the
stage this evening and make speech when
the house was calling for you? You
wouldn't have seen David Belasco miss
hat chance to spread himself. He would
have been out there in his pajama shirt
and sent his fingers through his hair and
made well-arranged nervous speech, full
OF platitudes and presumption
''Lorimer doesn't believe in making
speeches when he has dramatiZed some
one else's novel;" explained Mr. Norris
to the newspaper man. He made speech
cut in San Francisco several years ago.
when one of his plays was successfully pro-
duced. and the papers said he looked like
thing. The house was yelling author
author and the stage manager was trying
TO persuade Stoddard to make a speech
He was mulish, and finally the stage direc-
tor. who was a big fellow, gave him IL
shove ard before he knew it he was be-
fore the footlights and was talking. That
was as bad a speech as they say Lee Arthur
made down here al Washington. when 'Pri-
yate John Allen was produced"
shot me out ON the stage like rubber
ball. replied Nj Stoddard You are
right l don't like to make speeches for
other persons plays. It was an honor for
Marion -awford. the call this evening. and
It would ave been the height of i'll man
ners for NE to have gone out and u1ade a
speech. Then. too. Miss Allen was the star,
and she did nicely in making my apologies.
l had a pretty good seat and. was enjoy
ing myself. so refused to move
You are altogether too humble" said
Actor Haines. Think OF it, man of your
age writing plays like Tess and In tho
Palace for Americas greatest actresses
You aren't twenty-eight, are your
NO, he isn't twenty-eight. Lut how
much older are you? You have done
pretty well for youngster l think"
This was from Mr. Norris, who, having
satisfied his appetite to a certain degree,
looked laxative and lived the part.
aside from William Farnum. who is the
new Ben Hur, you are the youngest lead
ing man in America"
II guess that's So" replied Mr. Haines
Funny, too. viii Farnum and I did our
first season together with Robert Down
ing's company. and my debut was made
right here on the National stage. He has
a little the best of me in age now, for
he was a great big youth. He is ane as
Ben Hur, though, and deserves all lis sue
cess"
There are few actors heading their
own companies younger than either of
YOU" said Mr.. Norris. But, of course,
they are repertoire companies. Come to
think of it. We are pretty young lot
1T is not generally known that Norris
is soon to star" said Mr.. Stoddard, in
explanation of a look of enquiry from the
Times man. He has the offer of a fine
farce by John Stapleton, and the Liebler
Company and Kirk La Shelle are behind
the venture. 1t is great part. What
did you think of Norris Adonis?"
Great" said the newspaper man. and
Norris, who is himself less than thirty
years of age. blushed at the raise so
openly given. He doesn't deserve any
praise for his work, though" continued
the playwright. Il worked out all the
good business and he is responsible Tor
the bad That is the way most authors
talk, you know. AS a matter of fact, 1t
isn't so at all. 1t is a great characterize
ton and a fearful physical strain, keeping
in that stopped posture for nearly three
hours"
Yes" said the stage Don John. the
parts OF Adonis and the King and Dolores
are all strong. This will be different
production Saturday night from that
Washington has seen this evening. You
contemplate building up some of the
scenes, do you not, Mr. Stoddard."
Yep" tersely answered the author,
ringing for a waiter This play will be
greater property than Tess see if ii
isn't | think your Characterization CT
the lunatic in The Belle of New York
was better than your poet in The Chill
dren of the Ghetto or Adonis.' This last
to Norris, who was looking tired. and
upon mention of the name Adonis assumed
crouehing position unconsciously.
Many people do" responded Mr.. Norris.
Strengthening up and looking confused y
am going to work a little slower after |
get into the character more thoroughly.
1t will give weird sort of an atmosphere
to the part. don't you think. l wish YOU
had done little better for Don John,
Lorimer You give him only one scene
of the play. the second All the rest OF
the time people are working for him and
he is doing nothing for himself
You try to dramatic a novel for a star
just once and find how much fun it is re-
piled the adapter of Mr.. Crawford's story.
You have to do the best you can, that's