The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-13
FRIENDS OF LAST WEEK.

Fifteen hundred and four times-that
IS my record with The Still Alarm be-
fore starting out with the piece this sea-
son. said Harry Lacy to a representative
Of The Times last week. 1T has been
twelve years since l played it. but there
seems to be good deal in the piece yet,
for We are booked solid all of this season
and next. This is our second week out
SO we are still endeavoring to perfect the
performance. That alarm scene IL quite
effective, and we make the hitch in six
seconds. Quick work. don't you think 50?
How long have l been in the business
Well, now you're talking ancient history.
Just to give you an idea. | may say that
! put Pauline Hall on the theatrical lad
der. and Virginia Harmed and Julia Arthur
both entered the profession under my
arrangement. Ny parents intended me for
the ministry but somehow events didn't
shape themselves toward that end, and
before | knew it l was in the theatre. |
started out as call boy, so | have learn
ed the business from the very beginning.
Many strange things happen in thit
profession, as in all others. ] suppose,
but Henry Miller's presence in WASN'T lg-
ton at this time reminds me OF something
that happened many years ago. / left
Augustin DAILY to go with Charles Froh-
man, and after being with the latter some
time / threw up the engagement because
the management and l could not agree
as TO my adaptability 10 certain part in
Young Mrs. winthrop Going down the
street ! met Henry Miller, and told Kim
what had occurred. Ee applied for the
place was accepted. and then and there
made his first New YORK hit Speaking of
lir DAILY, / always feel certain pride in
remembering that ! spoke the first words
from the stage of Days Theatre New
York OF all the parts have played. the
sne which gave me the most pleasure was
that OF Beauclerc, in Diplomacy, which
Sas produced here at the National The
stre | could start in and give my whole
repertoire. but there's a performance tc-
night. and they might need me on the
stage" and Harry Lacy, alias Jack Men
ley. alias "Blazes. strobe away.
Knowing the loyal spirit that pervades
the very Observation-Disclosures atmos
phere-of Washington a Times repre-
sentative sought out Miss Percy Haswell
one afternoon last week in order to have
a chat with the charming leading woman
OF the Lafayette stock company. that
those of her friends who are only ac-
quainted with her over the footlights-
and what a sweet acquaintance that isl
might talk with her and for a few mo-
ments think Of her as in other than
stage drawingroom. 1t seems superhuous
10 recount the many channels which lead
TO Miss Haswells popularity with the To-
cal public. Her art is refreshing in it's
very absence from affectation and TO every
role she imparts a certain underlined
charm that IL irresistible. So 1t is with
Miss Haswell-the woman. Her manner
is graciousness personiied and the same
delicacy and refinement that invariably
assert themselves in her work are the
means which she employs to enlarge her
legion Of friends outside the theatre. In
recalling Miss Haswelps pleasing rendi-
ton of Tostis Goodbye" during the
performance of Friends last week the
interviewer was prompted 10 ask If The
operate bee had ever found Judgement in
her bonnet.
We'll" said Miss Haswell, when /
decided to adopt the stage I thought Of
going into opera, but changed my mind
ana took up dramatic work instead, al
though while | was with Mr.. DAILY
sang both roles-Molly and Mimosa-in
The Geisha Mr. Daily used to have
contracts for furnishing ep;er:ain-
Inents for big institutions in and around
New York and frequently sent companies
out for a night TO adjoining cities So
I had taste of one-night stands early
in my career; but | didn't mind II, then.
/ like stock work, and it doesn't seem
SO very hard after a time. for everything
is done Systematically and you soon get
into the way of It. But there's one