The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-12-21

II HE history of Friends" which the
Royles bring home this week. after
an absence of several years, is Of
special interest to salt Lakers, not only
because this was the home of it's au-
thor, but for the further reason that
the play was originally produced on
the stage of the salt Lake theatre
Mr.. Royle. being out of an engage
ment. was spending his time in New
ark. n. j., when he conceived the idea
of his first play. He finished it in a
Few months and with the manuscript
in his pocket marched proudly to
broadway where, like all young au-
thors, he expected the managers would
be hanging out Of their Office windows
awaiting his arrival. Strange to saw
they were not. Friends" met the same
ta:e as other good plays. 1t was buff
feted around among the managers for
weeks and weeks, each one rejecting
1t. Mr. Royle says, without even read
ing II over. But the author was not
so easily discouraged He buttonholed
Nat Goodwin one evening and read
the first act to the comedian Good
YIN wouldn't listen to the rest of it,
although, after its New York produc-
ton, he wanted to buy the piece. He
doesn't know to this day that he re-
5ected Friends" which had another
title then. after hearing the first act.
Sick at heart over his final failure to
interest the hard-headed and merci-
less New York managers, Mr. Royle
and Lucius Henderson boarded the
train for Salt Lake, bringing Friends
along. Arriving here, the matter was
taken up with the Home Dramatic
company, and the famous old organiza-
ton agreed to produce it. Mr.. Royle,
Mr. Henderson, Governor Wells. J. D.
Spencer, B. S. Young, Edith Clawson
Knowlton and Mrs. Cummings were in
the cast. and the production proved
rafting success.
After this, with comparatively little
effort. Mr.. Royle secured for his play
a New York hearing, even though he
had to practically buy a theatre pay
ing for the bare walls $1,000 per week.
The young manager engaged L. J.
Henley, at that time one OF the fore
most juvenile actors of America, for
the leading role, but Mr.. Henley on
the opening night did not appear at
the theatre, and was nowhere to be
found CThis is often a habit with
good actors.) Mr.. Royle was pushed
into the part at he last minute. All
the comedy had been frightened out of
him, but he got through and was cred
tied with a fine success.
Friends was made from that night.
The play was taken on tour. The
author married his leading lady the
first season and has been gently led
by her ever since. For six years they
played Friends" then went into
vaudeville while the first play from
Royle's pen has been done by stock
companies all over the land. There is
a greater demand for the piece by stock
companies, play agents declare, than
any other Of its class.
The regular Sunday night concert
takes place at the Grand tonight. The
band has number of new selections.
The solOists are Mrs. F. \. Hess. vO-
calist. and ]. Nj. Mcmahon, trombone
Though It has been told many times
before. there is a bit OF polite sarcasm
attributed to Playwright Augustus
Thomas which is well worth repetition
for the benefit of those who have
missed il.
L occurred during dinner at the
Lambs club. at which Marshall p.
Wilder. the diminuaive, was speaker.
When he arose and placed his hand
upon the table in the approved style
of after-dinner speakers. his head
wasn't very much above the top OF tho
wine glasses. He had not proceeded
beyond the usual nervous introduction
TO his remarks when Thomas inter
rupted him. and declared. in severe
tones.
Mr.. Wilder. it is customary for
speaker to rise when he is addressing
the members of this club"
Once upon time Robert Edeson was
called to Hartford. Conn. 10 confer
with Charles Jefferson. eldest son OF
Joseph Jefferson, and at that time
manager and eXploiter general of a
tank drama called "The Dark Secret"
Preceding their business talk Jeffer-
son. with some show of pride. detailed
the wonders of The Dark Secret to
the young actor, and explained that
the tank, which was genuine affair.
contained thousands of gallons of wa
ter. and that the hero's dive in res
cuing the heroine and her child was
most realistic. They were standing at
the rear of the auditorium The the
atre In Hartford at that time was
situated over a large saloon run By