Evening star., 1901-05-11

king of hearts fall on the floor. The father,
who had never seen 8 card in his life,
caught sight Of tie gsely colored picture
of embarrassing silence ensued, and then
the youth was vtsiteds by an inspiration.
Bending over forx the Host article he re.
marked: "Oh. yts. my laundry ticket.
noise of something falling. Released by a
mischance the entire deck had dropped out
OF his pocket and the fifty-two cards were
horrfied. and her husband hardly less so.
Henry Norman was the most horrified or
all Each of the three gazed at the dis
play moment and then father turned
think you are extravagant with your laun-
dry; II you will come to the woodshed
with me l will dust your jacket SO that
you, You VIII have fewer dirty clothes i,1 next
week And Mr.. Norman is the authority
for saving that he has not played a game
or cards since for gain.
Joseph Conyers, who plays the part of
W1na-Hi, the Chinaman in THE Geisha,"
was recruited from the dramatic ranks,
and he Is a character actor of no mean
ability. Some time ago he was the stage
manager of company that was billed to
appear in Lynchburg. Va. The company
carried very little in the shape of scenery
and properties. consequently one of Mr..
much as possible and he generally called
on some local merchant and borrowed lit
tie things. This morning the company was
late IN getting into town, and Mr.. Con-
SeIs was busy in getting the stage in
oruer Tor the evening performance, so he
sald TO the property man to go out ana
try to get him some pieces of bric-a-b -brac
TO put on the mantepiece and scatter
around the stage. The property man was
gone 1or a couple of hours and finally came
hiC hno Il l.
Conyers said: whats the matter? Did
you not succeed in getting some of the
properties! The property man said: Yes,
did sir, and handed out three four
orlckpats, saying, These were the best
could find, sir
1t has not been long since the interests
of Hurtig and Seamon were confined to the
theatrical agency which they carried on in
an unpretentious little office on West 29th
street, New York. Few engaged in that
line of business burden themselves with
other responsibilities. and when this firm,
which had made itself felt as an agency,
betrayed signs of managerial aspirations
no little surprise was expressed. 1t was
at time when veteran burlesuue managers
were smarting under the success achieved
by number of newcomers. Veteran man.
ayers who had endured all the hardships
to look with favor on newcomers, and
seemed to overlook the fact that one of
the most remarkable successes in the his
tory of the variety stage was that of
Weber and Fields. who, when nothing but
boys compared with the senior managers
surrounding them, and for many of whom
they had worked at a small salary, ac-
compllShed maSterStrokeS that had never
been attempted. 1t is tnquestionably due
llJ1I bot -:o1l
are not today shaping, if not controlling,
the booking in burlesque houses, as at one
time they not only had a number Of their
own attractions on the burlesque circuit,
but were booking others in their name,
until local managers, needing a pressure
brought to bear by travelling managers.
shut down on what was regarded as a
growing monopoly. And it was not only
with this but much more that Hurtig and
Seamon had to contend when they entered
the field as managers, but the shrewdness,
which had been tested in the theatrical
agency. saved them from many pitfalls
and their inexperien9e rather than their
experience led them to attempt several
new departures that met with success. One
of their first burlesQue ventures included
a salary list which no manager of expert
ence would have for moment considered.
but they not only boldly launched the at
traction. but succeeded in getting better
terms than established shows. Their origi-
nal bold ventures. in which 1t cannot be
denied they assumed foolhardy risks, gave
them a firm footing as managers and the
firm name is today a recognized trade
mark. One of their most ambitious eff
forts the Social Maids" was considered
too much of a departure for burlesque
houses, but it has been more or less adapt
ed to it's audiences without losing it's tone,
and Is surpassed by none of its competi-
tors. Seamon is not much in evidence, ex-
cept at the theatrical agency, which Is now
conducted a larger scale. but around
the music hall, in New York. and on the
road with the attractions, one Of the Hur-
tigs. Jules, Joe, Max or Harry, is invari-
ably on hand.
The Shakespeare Birthday Club celebrat-
ed the anniversary Of the master drama
lists birth, April %, at a dinner given at
the headquarters Of the organization in
New York. James Booth Roberts, the old
est American actor, and president of the
club. presided. Randolph Hartley, the
playwright. acted as toastmaster. Among
the other well-known players and writer's
present were Charles Henry Metzer AL
fred Ayres Howard Hall, Edward Norri-
son, Horace Lewis, George Taggart, Helen
Byron, Emily Wakeman and Helen Mac
Gregor. The object of the club is to en-
courage the celebration of Shakespeare's 8
birthday. Everett King. who founded the
organization. celebrated the occasion in
Cincinnati, and there were celebrations
held by members Of the club In Philadel-
phia. Washington, Chicago, San Francisco
Vancouver. b. c.; Halifax. n. s.; Ber,
muda, Jamaica. Barbados, England. Ger
many and China.
There is SO much interest In the forth
coming revival of Shakespeares "The Mer-
chant Of Venice" which Klaw & Erlanger
are putting out on the road in a series of
special performances, and so much curl
osity about Mr.. N. G. Goodwin's Shvlock
that his own Interpretation Of the charac-
ter will be read with interest by those who
delight in the best Of the classical drama
The Klaw & Erlanger organization will
visit twenty of the principal cities of the
country. and will give but twenty-eight
performances. That scheduled for this
city will take place at the National Thea
ter on Tuesday, May 81. In the support
ing cast will be Effie Ellsler, Annie Irish
]. E. Dodson, Maclyn Arbuckle. w, J. LIE
Moyne. Aubrey Boucicault, Henry Wood
ruff, Vincent Serrano, William Courtleigh
Frederick Perry and others, including a
large corps Of supernumeraries The en-
tire cast, supernumeraries and production.
will be transported by special train char
tered for the entire trip. Speaking of Shy-
lock Mr.. Goodwin says: