The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-03-10
KING FpWA RID AND ACTORS.
The New Monarch's Former and Future Attn
tude Toward Theatres.

rum ~ ' 4 Vt 'i'PIt
LONDON, Feb II Edward VII is n thor
! ough man OF the world and 80 good a patron
OF the theatre that he il apt to fully realize
the serious nature OF tho damage that might
b. caused TO so importanta phase OF COM
mercial enterprise as the catering to the
public amusemeDt If any large section OF
Society abstsined from patronizing the thea
tres out Of respect for the formal mourning
Of the Court. He Is a man of the greatest
tact. combined with much tndliness Of heart.
and lie Is pretty certain TO let It b. known
that he does not wish that playg"ers should
abstain from visiting the theatres because
81 respect 10 the memory of Victoria such
an intimation can be given quite informally
and II Is more than likely 10 b. put abroad
IN an unofficial way. The nature of tho new
sovereign is well summed up In a paragraph
written. ] think. by another Edward. whose
surname is Michael and who is a clever critic
Of things theatrical. and the business manager
for Mrs. Lanetry. As he puts il: NO one
will be more missed at theatres than the King.
who was not only an inyeterate theatregoer.
but who set an example which is uufortu-
nately not often followed BY the occupants
Of stalls and boxes Not only did he make II
a point never to be late. but lie never left his
box until the curtain was down. and directly
IL went up on another act was always IN his
place But n further example Of his courtesy
and consideration j. Afforded by the fact that,
10 matter whether he liked the play. or not
h" never gave II "A social damn!ns by leaving
until the Anal curtain, and never expressed
al. adverse opinion
sionals relate their meetings with the King
when he was the Prince, and they have
in every case shown by their candid remarks
| made 10 feel thoroughly. at ease. and that,
while the tremendous Importance OF the
parsonage from an English point Of view
existed. he was. so lar as I ne Meeting OF tho
moment was concerned. simply n courteous
gentleman who desired to say a kindly word
TO one who had entertained him.
Two instances Of American professionals
who had me-, the Prince Of wales N con-
mert. aud which they had related to me oc-
cur 70 me as ] write. one was very recently
IA Paris, whore was dining with n pr.ini-
Ient American circus manager and an Eng
Prince Of Wales. and the Elcl.slmau said
Tat he had once been presented t" His Royal
And 50 have ! . said ne american. and
tn" Enclishman stared in blank .ana,--
u"u' ~ such a familiar, statement. by tho
suit Of his r"mnrk nor marx the unused srln
of your correspondent at Ia" actors 8ma2r-
mont lie had acted as guide to the Prince
ssGT a gT Il. Sp E1Ta W %S a f tEa rSs4iI e GtRnn
way hi4 royal guest had acted while under
his guidance
In the other Instance tho Prince had efsed
that a very well-knowu American actor should
como 70 his box 20 he Treseuted aud 70 be
thanked for tho pleasure the performance
had afforded tho royal visitor The actor
was somewhat embarrassed. rs ~" did not
understand the SIMPLICITY - the incident,
that 10 was rnttl'd All I noticed was" hs
sald that the Prince talked such broken
ms a game with me and I'm. hsnyodrI could
more than holf make out what he said"
As n matter 81 fact Edward vi docs sreak
r..ltsl ,ttsb "a ,sa,y Aa.ilaA Caravan ofFaFF
Which 10 politely alluded 10 by hia friends
~ a peculiar. rich burr IN h' voice