Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-23
DRAMA

earn our living. l wanted to be a writer,
and after weeks of mental effort / turned
out what | considered to be masterpiece.
OFF it went to publisher, and in two
weeks back it came with the usual regrets
l laid the story away, and with 1t all my
hopes of a literary career. l went In for
private theatricals after that, and my first
appearance was made at church fair.
The girl who was to take the leading part
was taken ill and l was called in. 1 sur
prised everybody-myself included-by
making hit. Then 1 joined a dramatic
club, and from the dramatic club to the
professional stage was a step easy in the
taking"
Her first real opportunity came when she
was sixteen years old. She created the
part of Esmeralda in the play of that name
when the piece was first brought out at the
Madison Square And here's how she,
girl of sixteen, fooled the manager and
was given so important a role.
MY dresses she said, "even then were
not very long, and my hair flowed down
my back The manager looked on me from
his towering height and decided in his wis
dom that l was too youthful. He and l
only exchanged few words and, as / felt
sure that among the multitude of appli-
cants he would not remember me, deter
mined to play a little trick So 1 went
home, put on a long Dress did my hair
up neatly and assuming as ancient and
demure expression as 1 could, went to see
him again. He fell into the snare and 1
got the part"
Annie Russell appeared in Esmeralda
about 800 times and gave up the role in
1882 when she was married. Next she APP
pcared in Hazel Kirke,' and by that time
her reputation and her place on the stage
were assured. But in 1887 came her great
est artistic success, when she appeared as
Elaine in that play. Associated with her
in the production We're Marie Burroughs,
E. NJ Holland, Minnie Seligman and Alex
ander Salvini. And in SO notable cast as
this one Annie Russell carried off the
honors.
In 1889 she appeared in Captain Swift"
and then ill-health compelled her to leave
the stage. For five years she lived in
tirement and it was not expected that she
would ever act again. But in 1894 she
turned to the stage, and as Nat GoOdwin'S
leading lady achieved many successes. And
the year folloWing-95-Sheb became a star,
appearing in Bret Harte's Sue" year be-
fore last, in Catherine" and last year in
Miss Hobbs
Such in brief is the life of the little wo-
man who is to appear in "A Royal Family
next week. 1.-The Duse of the English
speaking stage" her admirers call her.
The ups and downs of theatrical life are
well Illustrated in the career of a former
prima donna who is today a member of
burlesque organization, and who, accord
ing to Detroit exchange ''is the hit of
the show and has seen better days" Her
career is perhaps no stranger than that of
lost their footing and descended far below
the standard that they at one time main
tanned. The identity of the former prima
donna is almost hidden in the black face
makeup in which she is seen in her turn
in the olio, and there Is not vestige of
those charms which in earlier days en-
shaved admirers. Her entrance, in fact, in
a garb in which many pretty women would
not risk appearing, hardly commands the
attention of the audience, but as she pro-
ceeds and sings and reaches in 1.-The Holy
City" notes that indicate a voice, there Is
some surprise. followed by evident appre-
citation Of the sweet soprano which betrays
a degree Of cultivation not looked for in
the average singer Of the burlesque stage.
A few perhaps recognize her and recall
the days when she was young and pretty
and Fascinating, when rich costumes of op-
era draped her perfect figure. A few may
remember to have heard her when she was
the understudy of a famous prima donna
for years favorite, and who was cut off
in the height of her success by that dread
disease, pneumonia, at Salt Lake City
decade ago. But there is nothing in the
black face role, which strangely seems to
have struck her fancy, beyond the voice.
which retains much OF its charm, that
would betray the identity of Emma Kraus,
who succeeded Emma Abbott in her prin-
cipal operas, and who experienced in her
triumph all the qualification and glory of
operate fame, and enjoyed all the homage
and attention which are showered upon
distinguished song birds.
Arrangements have been made whereby
Hope Booth a former artists model Of a
good deal of repute in this country and
Europe, and who has recently gone in for
vaudeville, will display series of her most
successful poses before a life class at
leading art school next Wednesday
morning. The fame of Miss Booth as
particularly desirable model Is well known
In the world of art in New York. An ar
fist Of prominence in the social world, who
occupies apartments in the tower of the
Madison Square Garden. frequently utilizes
the services of this young woman for some
of his best studies. Miss Booths local visit
will be as member of the Fads and Fol-
lies company, which will occupy the stage
Of the Bijou next week. The management
claims she Is the highest priced attraction
in travelling burlesque and asserts that for
her work in this city she will receive $500.
Miss Booth has been rather prominent In
the theatrical eye during the past five or
six years, since she came to this country
from Paris, determined to win place for
herself In the American dramatic world.
Her early endeavors were in melodramas
of the lurid type, in which she displayed
an unwonted ability for q beginner. Sub
sequently she attracted the attention of
JdIneS I'LL, Tie manager whose direction
Of the old Union Square Theater in New
York city was noteworthy for the large
| number of clever players he brought out
prominent among the number being the
i late Margaret Mather. Adelaide Prince
who is appearing with Infer husband, Cres-
ton Clarke. and Julia Marlowe.
After being with Mr.. Hill for three sea-
sons and interpreting some of the principal
roles in his productions, Miss Hope Sc
cured sufficient confidence in herself and
found philanthropically inclined gentle
man who was possessed of larger bank
account than he could conveniently look
after, and descended upon London town
| with an American play and an American
| company. A theater was secured and ey-
| erything done toward successfully launch
| Ing the young star. But the Britons
| proved to be unappreciative on. the occa-
| sion OF the first performance, and when
some OF the occupants of the pit became
unusually demonstrative Miss Booth went
before the curtain and gave a few words
! Of advice to the Aries. They resented 1t
and advised her to Ego 'ome to Hamerica :"
whereupon she promptly rung down the
/ curtain, refunded money to those who re-
| quested it and closed the theater.
There were no more performances of the
| Hope Booth Company in London, and the
volatile young woman still has the record
1 for Ap,ericon rrOdnctinpS in Al.