The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-04
CHATS WITH THE PLAYERS.

Considering the hit that has been made
by THE Only Way''-a hit equally great
in New York and London-it is remark
able how little is known of Freeman Wills,
the first man to successfully dramatize
"A Tale of Two Cities" This ignorance
not only is notable in the general public,
but also in those persons who might be
expected to be quite familiar with the
author of the piece. Samuel Goodfriend,
the press agent of Henry Miller, once con-
fessed to a Times reporter that he was
possessed of no information concerning
the arranger, while Mr.. Miller himself ad-
mitted on "Wednesday that he could not
even tell who owned the play. Which, as
has been said, is bit surprising.
In company with Thomas z. Shea, the
writer arrived in London at twilight on a
Tuesday OF last May. Having dined at the
Criterion Restaurant. the couple sauntered
over to the Prince of Wales Theatre,
where seats had been placed at their dis
posal. Both were delighted with The
Only Way" and Mr.. Shea requested that
the writer see Freeman Wills, and offer
to purchase the American privileges. A
search in the directory revealed the adj
dress of Mr.. Wills together with the
statement that he was in charge of a
small church in the extreme western por-
ton of the city. The adapter of "A Ta,e
of Two Cities is clergyman.
On the following afternoon, the Times
representative perched himself on top a
bus and was driven through Piccadilly
Circus. into Threadneedle Street, past the
Bank of England, and so to the square
name fOrgotten-in which, If the directory
might be believed, was to be found the
Rev. Freeman Wills. The building desig
mated was given up almost wholly to Of
fees, and extended enquiry did not bring
forth Information as to what room
was occupied by the author No one
in the rambling. rather dirty structure
had ever heard of him. Finally, by luck
and perseverance, the visitor found the
iooked-for plate on door at the end of
four flights of stairs. He knocked, re-
ceived reply. and entered.
Mr.. wills. a large man with hair in
which there were plentiful streaks of
gray! was at long, oilcloth-coyered table.
a quill pen in his hand telling that he had
been interrupted at work. Despite this.
upon hearing the reasons for the appear
ance of his caller. he was most courteous
and motioned that individual to the single
other chair the simply FURNISHED apart
ment afforded. The business mentioned
was discussed and an appointment made
for Mr.. Shea, In the course of the con-
versation Mr. Wills spoke of The Only
Way as follows:
The attempt at providing Martin Har-
vey with a version of Charles Dickens y
Tale of Two Cities was not a difficult one
for me- The spirit necessary to the con-
summation of such a task had been gener-
ated by a surprising love of the novelist
and his novels. | had-as my position in
dicates-certain literary ability. As re-
CARDS my understanding of stagecraft. l
can but say that. during many years. |
have dabbled in the old dramas and in the
new. occasionally trying something sim
pie and brief myself | have a brother who
Is quite well known here for his adapta
tons. Mr.. Harvey assisted me consider
ably in the labor. He put great faith in
the play from its conception. and. in so far
as results are concerned. his faith-our
mutual faith-has been justified. The
piece vas got on the boards of the Ly-
ceum at an off-season and as a sort of
stop-gap The management hoped no more
than that it would last a month. Ii lasted
twice that period Then Sir Hen-y needed
the house for his presentation of Robes
pierre and We moved to the Princes of
Wales. That resort always has held ex-
clusiyely TO another class OF entertainment.
and in London such a character is Il real
drawback Notwithstanding, Mr. Harvey
is attracting enormous audiences and THE
Only Way is continued triumph. For
that take no credit to myself. l do not
see how any intelligent person could fail