The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-25
FRIENDS OF LAST WEEK.

The recent production of "The Great
Ruby was such noteworthy ore all
around that 1t would be next to impossible
to cite the many instances which tended
toward this result. The small parts were
handled SO cleyerly, so intelligently. that
they deserve to be rescued from the minor
class in Justice to those who took care of
them. The Louisa Jupp of Miss Alma Kru-
ger was particularly conspicuous, and the
impressiolable, novel-reading girl was
converted into very interesting character
which, in less capable hands. would have
been allowed to fade into the background
and remain there. Miss Kruger was buried
deep in Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler" the other
morning. when Times representative bore
down or her and piloted her back to this
mundane sphere.
"Do 1 admire Ibsen? Indeed do. He ia
intensely interesting to the player and 1
can readily understand why people want to
produce his works. haven't quite .:ss:.leti
whether he Is dramatic possibility or not.
VI course every author appeals to q GER
tain clientele. and believe it is SO with
Ibsen."
How long have you been in the profess
siol, Miss hruSeT.
Il have been on the stage-iet me
counts it four or five years? 1 hope
it's four Yes, it is. Ny career began
with Louis James and then / spent
short while with the Lyceum Theatre
Stock Company. When Mrs Carter re-
tired from The Heart of Maryland" I
followed her in the role of Maryland CAL
vert, playing the part for two seasons.
and here I am, Before joining Mr.. Ber-
gers company l had never done ingenue
work except classic ingenue, if 1t might
be SO termed. while with Mr.. James. So
the parts now assigned to NE are cut of
my line in that they are unlike those
which / have been accustomed to rIay.
That is, however. one of the great advaa-
tageS Of stock work. 1t opens up 0ppor-
tunities to a player which one would
never meet under other circumstances. In
playing a new part every week, one IS
constantly on the lookout for new points,
1t keeps you continually on the qui vive
and always seeking for novel IDEAS.
Whereas in playing one part for an entire
season, the interest is apt to flag after
while, the newness to wear off. and what
was novelty before becomes common
place, everyday thing. to the extent that
one Is absolutely unimpressionable in the
part and opportunities which are clear to
other eyes do not exist for the actor.
This is, OF course, a possibility and not
always The case. This is my first season
in stool, wnrk although when with Mr..
James we had a repertoire of about ten
plays. but that wasn't like putting on
new play every week. Tie people OF
Washington have encouraged us worder-
fully by their liberal patronage and hearty
appreciation of our work 50 far and we
are certainly going to do cur very best !
to continue in their good graccs."
Miss Kruger is an interesting talker,
vivacious in manner. and quite enthusias- |
tic over her work and environments here. f!
and Will undoubtedly establish herself as |
a strong favorite With the patrons of the |
Lafayette.
Josephine Gassman. at Chass's last !
week. is not colored. nor TN octor0on: |
indeed. she is quite white. This state !
ment is authorized and seems warranted !
in view OF the contradiction of opinion |
among Chase's patrons upon this point. |
It's all her makeup" which is GER |
tainly the most realistic. and there fore |
artistic, seen here in many theatrical |
moons.
ITS grease paint" said she to a Times
the other night; my own iu-
vantion too. No, can't tell you. for il |
did then all the Others would use it and |
I'd have to discover something else. 1t |
won't come of. cither-I mean it won't |
rub off like cork. but it will come OF By |
applying cold cream. In every city play
some persons insist that | am a negre S. |
and often even these do not believe me
white when show parts of my arm not
covered by the paint. No. don't like to
be considered anything but white; still |
to be artistic | can't do any lsss. After
all, such an opinion OF NE must BE- taken
as a compliment. When do 1 think de- /
serve the NEST applause, my picSaninnies
or myself? Why, do. Of course. It's my
act my idea. Why shouldn't | get the
credit? The darkies wouldn't be amusing |
If did not teach them everything they |
do. A hard job. this, too. Every season |
I get a new lot of them. and many, many
weary hours are spent coaching them.